The Example of Macedonian Generosity
Study note
Paul commends the churches of Macedonia, who gave generously despite severe testing and deep poverty. Their generosity flowed from first giving themselves to the Lord, demonstrating that true giving begins with complete surrender to God. Paul uses their example to challenge the Corinthians, who excel in faith, speech, and knowledge, to also excel in the grace of giving.
1 Friends, we want to tell you about the amazing thing God's grace has done in the churches of Macedonia. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 They were going through a terrible time of suffering, but their joy was overflowing. They were very poor, but their giving was amazingly rich. 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 I can tell you from what I saw -- they gave as much as they could, and then they gave even more than that. They chose to do this all on their own. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 They begged us for the chance to help out God's people. Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 They did more than we could have imagined. First they gave themselves to the Lord, and then they gave themselves to us, because that is what God wanted. 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 So we asked Titus to come back to you. We wanted him to help you finish this giving project that he had already started. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
7 You are already great at so many things -- faith, speaking, knowledge, passion, and love for us. Now make sure you are great at this generous giving too. 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 Grace of Christ and Principles of Giving
Study note
Paul does not command but tests the genuineness of the Corinthians' love by pointing to Christ's supreme example of generosity: though rich in heavenly glory, he became poor for their sake. He establishes the principle that giving should match one's willingness and ability, aiming for equality among believers rather than burdening some while relieving others. He supports this with the Old Testament example of manna distribution.
8 I am not giving you a command. I am testing whether your love is real by showing you how eager other people have been. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
9 You already know how generous our Lord Jesus Christ was. He had everything in heaven, yet he gave it all up and became poor for your sake, so that his poverty could make you rich. 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.
10 This is what I think would be best: Last year you were not only the first to give, but you were also the first to want to give. 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 go ahead and finish what you started. Match that early excitement with follow-through, giving from whatever you have. 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 When your heart is willing, God accepts what you give based on what you have, not based on what you do not have. 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.
13 I do not want other people to have it easy while you have it hard. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 The idea is balance. Right now you have plenty, so you can help those who have less. Someday they may have plenty and be able to help you. That way things even out. 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 The Scripture says it this way: "The person who gathered a lot did not end up with too much. And the person who gathered only a little did not end up with too little." As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
Titus and the Delegation for the Collection
Study note
Paul introduces the delegation he is sending to administer the collection, emphasizing integrity and accountability in financial matters. Titus and two trusted brothers will oversee the gift, ensuring that everything is done honorably both before God and before people. Paul urges the Corinthians to prove their love and validate his confidence in them by receiving the delegation warmly.
16 Thank God for putting the same deep concern for you in the heart of Titus. But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
17 Titus gladly accepted our request. In fact, he was so enthusiastic that he decided to come to you on his own. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
18 We are also sending a brother with him. This brother is well known and respected in all the churches for spreading the good news. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
19 On top of that, the churches picked him to travel with us as we carry out this work of generosity. We do this to honor the Lord and to show how eager we are to help. 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 We want to be very careful so nobody can find fault with how we manage this large gift. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
21 We want to do the right thing, not only in God's eyes, but also where everyone can see. Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 We are also sending another brother with them. He has shown himself to be eager and reliable many times. Now he is even more eager because he has great confidence in you. 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.
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and we work together to help you. As for the other brothers, they were chosen by the churches and they bring honor to Christ. Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
24 So show these men proof of your love, and show the churches that we were right to brag about you. Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.