1Paul extolleth the liberal contributions of the Macedonian churches for the relief of the brethren in Judaea: 6and recommendeth the same charity to the Corinthians, as well befitting their other graces, 9enforced by Christ's example, 10consistent with the alacrity they had already expressed therein, 13and a precedent which might in time be of use to themselves. 16He letteth them know the willingness of Titus to come and further this good work among them; and commendeth him to their love, together with the brethren, men of special worth, who were sent with him on the same errand.
1MOREOVER, brethren, we do you to wita of 1the grace of God bestowed 2on the churches of Macedonia;
a I do you to wit, I am letting you know*
1 That is, the bounty by the grace of God, which moved their hearts to make so liberal a contribution to the poor at Jerusalem, as the following verse declares.
2 Or, in.
2How that in a great trial of affliction 3the abundance of their joy and 4their deep poverty abounded 5unto the riches of their 6liberality.
3 Namely, springing from their faith in Christ, notwithstanding all tribulation. See Rom. 5:3.
4 That is, although by their great afflictions they seemed to have come to the most extreme poverty, notwithstanding they were abundant in giving.
5 That is, unto abundant liberality, as the following verse sets forth.
6 Or, simplicity, uprightness, namely, in giving.
3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4Prayingb us with much 7intreaty that we would 8receive 9the gift, and take upon us 10the fellowship of the ministering to 11the saints.
b Acts 11:29; Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:1.
7 Or, consolation.
8 That is, take upon us.
9 Gr. the grace, that is, the benevolent gift.
10 That is, the care to dispose well of this collection and to cause it to come into the right hands, as a token of their communion with them.
11 Namely, at Jerusalem. See Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:3, 4.
5And this they did, 12not as we hoped, but first 13gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
12 That is, did more than we had hoped or expected.
13 Namely, yet more diligently and abundantly.
6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he 14had begun, so he 15would also finish in you the same 16grace also.
14 Namely, to stir you up to all spiritual virtues, as is declared in the following verse.
15 That is, would bring to a good end.
16 Or, gift, that is, this gift of liberality, as verses 1, 7, 19.
7Therefore, 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.
8I speak not 17by commandment, but 18by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
17 Gr. according to command.
18 That is, by the example of the diligence and liberality of the congregations in Macedonia.
9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that,c19though he was rich, yet for your sakes he 20became poor, that ye through his poverty might be 21rich.
c Luke 9:58.
19 Namely, a Lord of all things, see Heb. 1:2.
20 Namely, when He emptied Himself, taking on Him the form of a servant, Philip. 2:5, etc.
21 That is, is made partakers of all His spiritual and heavenly good things, 1 Cor. 1:30.
10And herein 22I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also 23to be forward a year ago.
22 Or, I speak, as 1 Cor. 7:25.
23 That is, doing with diligence and willingness; for, that is more than only to will, or only to do.
11Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also 24out of that which ye have.
24 That is, according to the measure of that which you have.
12Ford if there be first a willing mind, ite is 25accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
d Mark 12:43; Luke 21:3.
e Prov. 3:28; 1 Peter 4:10.
25 Namely, by God, in the distribution of his gifts. See Mark 12:43; 2 Cor. 9:7.
13For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye 26burdened:
26 That is, that others would obtain abundance by your gifts, and you have want, or to be very hard pressed yourselves.
14But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, 27that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: 28that there may be equality:
27 Namely, when in the time of persecution, or otherwise, you may also have need of their help. Others take it for the abundance of spiritual gifts, which they of Jerusalem might the more diligently and the more able to impart to the Gentiles, when they would not be necessitated to trouble themselves for a temporal livelihood.
28 Namely, in giving or receiving according to the need and abundance of every one. Or, that the one member does not abound too much, and the other is not too much straitened; which agrees well with the following verse.
15As it is 29written, Hef that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
29 Namely in Exod. 16:18, in the gathering of the manna. For they who had gathered much took out of it but each a gomer for their sustenance. They that had little, filled the same gomer out of that which was gathered by others; what anyone brought home more, did corrupt and did perish.
f Exod. 16:18.
16But thanks be to God, which put 30the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
30 That is, this carefulness to exhort and move you hereunto as the following verse declares.
17For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he 31went unto you.
31 Gr. went forth.
18And we have sent with him 32the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
32 Many ancient teachers think this brother to have been Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Christ; but seeing here is not spoken of writing the Gospel, but of preaching the same, this is uncertain; as it also could be Barnabas.
19And not that only, but who was also chosen 33of the churches to travel with us 34with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and 35declaration of your ready mind:
33 The Greek word properly signifies a choice which is made by lifting up or stretching forth of hands; so that Paul had not only ordained this person himself hereunto, but also the congregations of Macedonia. See of this word also in Acts 14:23.
34 That is, benefit, gift, bountiful contribution, as several times before.
35 That is, for a demonstration of your benevolence and liberality.
2036Avoiding this, that no man should 37blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
36 Namely, by adjoining others who have taken this charge upon them together with us, as what follows declares.
37 Or, reproach, burden us with evil suspicion, if we had brought over such abundant alms alone, which might easily have been done by the false apostles, and other enemies of the Gospel.
21Providingg for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
g Rom. 12:17.
22And we have sent with them 38our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence 39which I have in you.
38 This some think to have been Apollos. But it is also uncertain.
39 Or, that we have.
23Whether any do enquire 40of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or 41our brethren be enquired of, they are the 42messengers of the churches, and 43the glory of Christ.
40 That is, if one would want to know who Titus is.
41 Namely, who together with Titus are chosen hereunto by the congregations of Macedonia, whereof he had spoken, verses 18, 22.
42 Gr. apostles, as this word is also sometimes taken for all manner of teachers and messengers. See Rom. 16:7.
43 Or, an honor of Christ, that is, such persons whereby the honor of Christ is singularly promoted.
24Wherefore shew ye to them, and 44before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
44 That is, as who shall have all the congregations for witnesses of this your love and bounty, which shall get notice of it.