2 Coríntios 8

2 Coríntios 8

Utley - Paul's overall argument concerning Christian giving 1. example of others (Macedonians) 2Co 8:1-5 2. giving is an aspect of spiritual growth, 2Co 8:7-8 3. example of Christ, 2Co 8:9; 9:15 4. their own start, 2Co 8:6,10 5. encouragement to put desire into action, 2Co 8:10 6. motive, not amount, is the key, 2Co 8:12 7. giving equals out, 2Co 8:14 New Testament guidelines for Christian giving based on the model of the churches of Macedonia 1. joyous and genuine, even amidst poverty, 2Co 8:2; 9:7 2. gave to utmost of ability, 2Co 8:3 3. gave sacrificially beyond ability, 2Co 8:3,12 4. gave freely, 2Co 8:3; 9:7 5. gave sincerely, 2Co 8:4 6. gave more than money, 2Co 8:5 FOURTEEN PRINCIPLES OF GRACE GIVING Believer's Study Bible - These two chapters comprise the second major section of 2 Corinthians and deal with the collection for the poverty-stricken church at Jerusalem (cf. 1Cor. 16:1, 2). Here we find the most detailed and significant teaching in the Word of God about what Paul calls the grace of giving. No less than 14 principles are discovered as these chapters are examined (SEE CHART BELOW). The Corinthians had been enthusiastic in responding to the needs of their fellow saints at Jerusalem. However, circumstances had arisen which had caused them not to complete their service or ministry in this area (cf. 2Co 8:10, 11; 2Co 9:1-5). With encouragement and optimism, Paul pens these verses to express his confidence that they will show themselves worthy of his previous boasting with regard to their grace in giving. The contemporary church would do well to consider carefully Paul's specific principles for stewardship in the work of the Lord. (The Believer's Study Bible:) 2 Corinthians 8:2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. Amplified For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty [together] have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part. KJV 2 Corinthians 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. NET 2 Corinthians 8:2 that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. BGT 2 Corinthians 8:2 ὅτι ἐν πολλῇ δοκιμῇ θλίψεως ἡ περισσεία τῆς χαρᾶς αὐτῶν καὶ ἡ κατὰ βάθους πτωχεία αὐτῶν ἐπερίσσευσεν εἰς τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς ἁπλότητος αὐτῶν· NLT 2 Corinthians 8:2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. ESV 2 Corinthians 8:2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. NIV 2 Corinthians 8:2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. YLT 2 Corinthians 8:2 because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality; ASV 2 Corinthians 8:2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. CSB 2 Corinthians 8:2 During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity. MIT 2 Corinthians 8:2 In spite of hard times that severely tested them, their joy was abundant. Even within their depthof poverty, their wealth of generosity overflowed. NKJ 2 Corinthians 8:2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. NRS 2 Corinthians 8:2 for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. NAB 2 Corinthians 8:2 for in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. NJB 2 Corinthians 8:2 and how, throughout continual ordeals of hardship, their unfailing joy and their intense poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. GWN 2 Corinthians 8:2 While they were being severely tested by suffering, their overflowing joy, along with their extreme poverty, has made them even more generous. BBE 2 Corinthians 8:2 How while they were undergoing every sort of trouble, and were in the greatest need, they took all the greater joy in being able to give freely to the needs of others. in a great ordeal of affliction: 1Th 1:6 1Th 2:14 3:3,4 their abundance of joy : Ne 8:10-12 Ac 2:45-46 and their deep poverty overflowed: Mk 12:42-44 Lu 21:1-4 Jas 2:5 Rev 2:9 in the wealth: 2Co 6:10 9:11,13 De 15:4 Pr 11:25 Isa 32:5-8 of their liberality: 2Co 1:12 Ro 12:8 2 Corinthians 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Thessalonians 1:6+ (EXAMPLE OF JOY IN AFFLICTION) You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 2:14+ (EXAMPLE OF JOY IN AFFLICTION) For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, Matthew 5:10-12+ (JOY IN AFFLICTION) “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. James 1:2+ (JOY IN AFFLICTION) Consider (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, Galatians 5:22+ (SOURCE OF SUPERNATURAL JOY) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Romans 5:3+ (EXULTATION IN TRIBULATION) And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; GRACE GIVING WITH GREAT JOY That in a great ordeal (dokime) of affliction (thlipsis) - Their great ordeal or testing was in the crucible of affliction or pressing circumstances, the "crushing" circumstances of life (some likely related to antagonism by unbelievers). Picture the Macedonians as a "tube of toothpaste" that was being squeezed! And what came out of them when they were squeezed? Joy and grace giving, both evidence of Spirit filled,controlled and empowered believers (cf A Spirit Filled Church) Read Acts 17:1-15+ to get a sense of their affliction. The Greek word for ordeal (dokime) is not testing or trying with a view toward destruction but with a view toward their approval (cf 2Co 8:2, 8, 22, 2Co 9:13). THOUGHT - Studies show that the poor give more proportionately than the rich. A 1981 Gallup poll found that households making between $50,000-100,000 gave between 1-2 percent, whereas families earning less than $5,000 gave nearly 5 percent of their income to churches and charities. Go figure! Plummer - Affliction tested the Macedonians and showed what genuine Christians they were. The test was severe and prolonged (πολλῇ) For sufferings of the Thessalonians see 1 Th 1:6+, 1Th 2:14+. (2 Corinthians 8) Brian Bell gives some background - “The Romans had taken all there silver & gold mines, taxed the copper & iron smelting, canceled the right to cut trees for ship & home building, & had fought several wars on Macedonian soil.” (Put your money where your mouth WAS ) Their abundance (perisseia) of joy (chara) - Note the situation of abundance of joy between descriptions of affliction on one hand and deep poverty on the other. There is no clearer evidence that such joy is not naturally possible in such pressing, impoverished circumstances, but is only supernaturally possible. These believers were a living illustration of a Spirit filled church! Plummer on abundance of joy - The abundance of their joy’; a strange thing to be found ‘in much testing of affliction.’ But few things are more characteristic of the Christians of the Apostolic Age than their exuberant joy. This abiding and conspicuous effect of ‘the good tidings’ was one leading cause of the Gospel’s rapid success. Its missionary power was then, and is still, where it exists, very great. Those who witness great joy in people whose lives are full of trouble are led to think that such people are in possession of something which is well worth having. (2 Corinthians 8) Zahniser wrote, "This region had suffered the ravages of civil war between Caesar and Pompey, between Brutus and Cassius and the triumvirs, and finally between Augustus and Antonius. They actually made a petition for a surcease of their burdens of taxation in the reign of Tiberius and were granted the favor as a depleted area" (The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, 5:298). Munificence is measured, not by the amount given, but by the will of the giver. -- Alfred Plummer And their deep (bathos) poverty (ptocheia) overflowed (perisseuo) in the wealth (ploutos) of their liberality (haplotes) - Imagine two rivers, one named "Abundant Joy in Affliction" and the other named "Deep Poverty" and when they joined together, they overflowed! Note the striking contrast between their material poverty (deep poverty, the Greek word speaking of absolute destitution!) and their spiritual wealth, this supernatural effect and fruit clearly being a reflection of God's amazing grace. Giving in their circumstance would be viewed by most observers as IM-possible, but for them it proved to the HIM-possible, the Spirit flowing forth from them like rivers of living water! (Jn 7:38+). They had clearly become imitators of Paul (1Cor 11:1+, see Source of joy in affliction in 1Th 1:6+) who himself had just written "as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things." (2Co 6:10+). Notice how their abundant joy matched their liberality, speaking of the quality of generosity. The Greek word haplotes describes a singleness of purpose, and is the opposite of one who is double minded. The giving of the Macedonians was without guile or hidden agenda, but for the glory of God. And keep in mind that the Macedonians were not giving to missionaries they knew but to a group of believers they did not even know personally and most of whom as Jews had thought lowly of Gentiles prior to their conversion. Again this is clear evidence of the supernatural empowerment of their giving. Their deep poverty ("down to depth poverty") - Their poverty had already reached the lowest stage (Plummer; Barrett). Ptocheia, poverty (2Co 6:10). In many parts of the Roman Empire the bulk of the urban population seems to have been very poor, probably because of high taxes, high rent, and high food prices. R Kent Hughes on deep poverty - The Macedonians (namely, the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) were poor. The word Paul uses for “their extreme poverty” is the word from which we derive the English word bathysphere—the ship we use to probe the depths of the ocean—a Jacques Cousteau kind of word. They were in deep poverty. The great turn-of-the-century New Testament scholar Alfred Plummer translated it perfectly as “their down-to-the-depth poverty.” They were at the bottom—dirt-poor! For most of us, it is a major stretch to relate to deep poverty in an ancient setting. We fancy ourselves poor if we have to think about it before going out to dinner. As to credit cards, the Macedonians always left home without them. They had no cars, no designer wardrobes, no vacations, no TVs. (2 Corinthians: Power in Weakness Preaching the Word) Liberality (haplotes) - The basic meaning of the word is “simplicity,” “single-mindedness” and indicates the true open-heartedness and generosity toward others in which there is no duplicity of motive. Plummer adds that "Paul speaks of the richness, not of their gifts, which could not have been large, but of their minds. Munificence is measured, not by the amount given, but by the will of the giver." (2 Corinthians 8)