Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

2 Corinthians 8:14 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:

The Apostle Paul reasons that the church that is in need is to receive needful help from other able churches. This time the church in Jerusalem requires the help of the churches in Corinth and Macedonia. A time may come when the situation is reversed, at that time, the church in Jerusalem is expected to readily come forward to help the churches in Macedonia or Corinth. In that sense, there is equality.

Indeed, when Israel as in the wilderness, there was no food, God provided the needful supply throughout the 40 years. In that sense, the churches with resources by them are encouraged to help those in need.

2 Corinthians 8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

The encouragement by the Apostle Paul for the Corinthian church concerning their giving was not to put a financial strain upon them so that they would be impoverished and the Jerusalem church eased. [MacDonald]

The duty that the Apostle Paul presses upon the Corinthian church was to give according to their means. No doubt, their contribution may be more than the churches in Macedonia, he assured them it was a team effort with the other churches, the burden of the support is therefore shared. The principle is to give what they are able to with a willing heart and to complete the task.

2 Corinthians 8:11 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.

The Corinthian church was first to express the willingness to contribute to the support of the saints’ needs in Jerusalem. However, it’s been a year since and the work was not completed. Other churches are done with their contribution.

The Apostle Paul is nudging them on to the completion of it. He is urging them to not hesitate but be forthcoming in this good work. And this contribution should be according to the resources they have with them and not pledging their future income, which is not certain.

2 Corinthians 8:10 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.

The church in Corinth had begun a year ago to raise the funds to support the needy Christians in Jerusalem. The task that began was yet completed. The Apostle Paul writes here to encourage them to complete this good work. The churches in Macedonia have completed their part in the giving although they began later.

It is interesting that the Apostle Paul would make such an appeal. His reason is that it is spiritually profitable to the Corinthian church, this is the meaning of the word “expedient”. He reminded them, it is you, yourselves, who began this. It is to your credit that you would complete it. The Lord will be pleased.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Romans 15:1-2 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

2 Corinthians 8:9 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.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is highlighted by the Apostle Paul as our example. Christ gave Himself for us. As the God of heaven, Jesus put aside His glory to become a man and to suffer as a man so as to save sinful man and reconcile him to a holy God. Jesus gave everything, He is the most generous of all man who walked on earth.

He was so generous that He gave all He had for our sakes that we through His poverty might become eternally rich. [MacDonald]

2 Corinthians 8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

The Apostle Paul exhorts the church in Corinth to prove the sincerity of their love by their giving. The Corinthian church had resources by them more than they needed for themselves. Unlike the churches in Macedonia who despite their poverty sacrificially gave.

Indeed, as one observed well, “A rejected opportunity to give is a lost opportunity to receive.”¹ The Corinthian church would have missed out on the Lord’s blessing if they had withheld.

The Apostle Paul is not commanding piety rather gently jolted them on the path to the Lord’s larger blessing.

2 Corinthians 8:7 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.

The Apostle Paul exhorted the church in Corinth to exercise their gift of giving. There are brethren in Jerusalem in need and he is exhorting them to help them. The church in Corinth has the means to do so.

MacDonald observed well, “Since the Corinthians were so outstanding in many ways (and they were), Paul now wants them to excel in the matter of giving. He gives them credit for abounding in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence (earnestness), and in their love for him. In The First Epistle, Paul had commended them for their knowledge and speech. Here he adds several other virtues, doubtless as a result of Titus’ visit.”