Verses 1-4 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Here the Apostle Paul tells the church at Corinth of the generosity of the other churches in Macedonia in that, although very poor, they managed to collect a financial gift for the apostles and for their work in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Verses 5-7 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
So the believers in the churches in Macedonia exhibited generosity above and beyond what their actual means were after they first gave themselves to the LORD and then gave selflessly what they could to the servants of the LORD, the apostles.
Verses 8-9 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
The Apostle Paul is teaching the Corinthian church members that although they excel in their faith and in their spiritual gifts, they also need to develop grace in giving as that is what the LORD Jesus Christ did. He left the riches of Heaven and came to Earth and lived a life of poverty so that He could free people from the bondage of sin and make them heirs to Heaven, sons and daughters of the LORD Jesus, and therefore His family. Because they would not have this gift of salvation without the sacrifices of Jesus, they needed to be grateful and recognize that their giving allowed others to hear the Word of God and to also receive the gift of salvation. In essence they were being Christ-like by having grace in giving to further the ministry.
Verses 10-12 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
Apparently the Corinthians had started to gather resources to provide a gift for the ministry, but had not completed the task. So the Apostle Paul encouraged them to not only have the will to do this, but to also perform the task and complete that which they had started. What a man gives should be according to what he has and not according to what he thinks he might have in the future.
Verses 13-15 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
The Apostle Paul reminds them of the situation of the Hebrew people when in the wilderness and gathering Manna daily. No matter how much was gathered by each individual, it was always just enough to meet their need. No one had excess and no one lacked, so all were fed and cared for. So it is in the Church. God knows who has needs and where the needs are and He directs His Church to gather gifts and meet the needs of other Christian believers. But all believers must give according to their ability and therefore there will be an equality among the brethren. The burden of those in need was not to fall on a few, but on the whole church membership equally.
Verses 16-22 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: 20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
The Apostle Paul always handled gifts of money or goods by making sure that many brethren or co-workers were involved with the receiving, transporting, and distributing of the gifts so that no one could accuse him or any of the apostles of mismanagement or fraud. There had to be integrity, transparency, and accountability in the Church when handling the gift of others.
Verses 23-24 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. 24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. (2 Corinthians 8)
The Apostle Paul assures the Corinthians that Titus or the other workers with him in the ministry were messengers and doing a job for Jesus Christ and that they could be trusted. These men carried letters, documents, tithes and gifts from one church to another and they were approved by both the LORD and by him personally. Therefore the Corinthians were to show Christian love and hospitality when these ministers visited them.