2 Corinthians 8

Paul now continues the thought from chapter 7 in a more specific application, that of giving, of financially supplying for the work of the church. What is important about this chapter is that it is not just about the practical aspects of giving, but covers why we give. It touches on how giving is an act of worship.
==2 Corinthians 8:1-4==
1 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.
In chapter 7, Paul speaks of boasting in the good works of the church at Corinth. He now boasts of the churches in the Macedonian region to the church at Corinth. The churches there were in dire straits. They were suffering great affliction and severe poverty. Yet out of that, they had great joy in being Christians. From out of that joy sprang a liberality in their giving that astounded Paul. The churches at Macedonia (Phillipi, Thessolonica, Berea and possibly Amphipolis and Appolonia - Acts 17:1) had given more than they could physically afford to give to the need of in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16:3).
Paul even tried to reject the money, knowing the situation in the region, but they implored him to take it anyway.
A very powerful note here. Paul writes that in taking the money, he was taking upon himself and his companions the "fellowship" of the ministering of the saints. In other words, the contribution is associated with fellowship. It's a communal act like singing, prayer (in groups), the public study of scripture, and especially the Lord's Supper to which giving is tied (1 Cor. 16:1-3). We see this earlier from Luke in Acts 2:42 in another list of acts of worship. For more on worship, see my article What Is Worship?.
==2 Corinthians 8:5==
5 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. 
Herein Paul develops deeper this idea of giving as worship. Paul knew the poverty of the region, likely due to famine (Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:5. He did not want them to suffer more and did not originally want to take the offering. Yet the congregations of Macedonia -- the noble Bereans, the loving Phillipians, the hopeful Thessalonians -- had the right mindset. Paul will eventually equate this to the mind of Christ in verse 9 below. The Christians of Macedonia gave themselves over to God wholly, trusting Him in a way that demanded the action they took. They gave out of their poverty as an act of total commitment to God, giving to Paul the monies for the need in Jerusalem, the heart of persecution of the church.
==2 Corinthians 8:6==
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
In verse 1, Paul speaks of "the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia". This grace that Paul wants Corinth to know about is the gift of a generous heart able to give even in times of economic desperation. Paul sends Titus to them to finish what he had started in Corinth, to help conform them to the mind of Christ as well to help them better understand giving, to understand its meaning, its power, and its benefit. As Jesus taught and Luke recorded Paul repeating in Acts 20:35: "Tis more blessed to give than receive." That's the premise that is in action here.
==2 Corinthians 8:7==
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 church at Corinth had grown so much. There were so many things that they had grown plentiful in. Their maturity was evident. Paul is taking them to the next level. Their work was not done. He is in essence saying in this letter: "Alright, good job. You've succeeded in this much. Now here's your next goal."
==2 Corinthians 8:8==
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
This verse is one likely to be misunderstood then used out of context. It is not Paul saying that giving is not a command. His phrase I speak not by commandment is making the point that he was not commanded to speak to them about this, but prompted by the actions of others to present their example to Corinth and give them the opportunity to prove their own sincerity. The word command applies to Paul speaking, not to Corinth giving.
==2 Corinthians 8:9==
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.
Here then is where giving is inextricably linked with the mindset of Christ. His gift, the gift that is the cause of our salvation (Eph. 2:5, 8) was given out of poverty that Jesus chose. He is God yet emptied Himself (Phil. 2:7), He "owned" everything as Creator, but became a simple carpenter's son. Christ became human and gave his whole life for us. That means more than just dying for us. He lived for us without sin so that in His death we are saved. At the cross the anointed King submitted to obedience for our sake ( Heb. 5:8).
It is this mindset, this spirit that the Macedonians had in their giving. It is an act toward God to not just speak but show love to God for what He did in His Son. It is an act of worship to the Creator who gave everything of creation into our hands for our benefit. We are not owners but stewards. Its truly not about budget but worship that we give.
==2 Corinthians 8:10-12==
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. 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. 
This is referring back to 1 Corinthians 16. He gave them the rule, the format, the specifics of the collection. Now Paul is giving them the how and why. He is going deeper into the act of giving so that they understand it better and in understanding it better will give better. Better in quality. Quantity is just a by-product of the quality, a physical manifestation of the spiritual maturity of the congregation and the individual giver.
Paul then writes that if there is a willing mind, this idea of the cheerful giver, then the gift is accepted by God according to what the giver has. What the giver has in his mind, not in his coin purse.
==2 Corinthians 8:13-14==
13 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:
Paul explains further that this is not about physical demands and desires. He is not asking them to give to make someone else's life easy while they suffer a lack. He is asking the church at Corinth to share a load and in times when Corinth is overburdened, those who were lifted up by them in times past are better able to shoulder Corinth's burden when it arises. It is about bearing one another's burdens, about lifting up the church universal and making it able to withstand the persecutions of that time and in principle the persecutions of our time.
==2 Corinthians 8:15==
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
Paul is quoting Exodus 16:18 where the Israelites are gathering mana. His point is that the Israelites gathered in such a way that everyone had as much as they needed so that no one went hungry. They worked together and helped one another. Corinth and the other congregations should reflect this attitude.
A word about communism. This is not communism. Communism is not taught in the Bible. Communism is a forced redistribution of wealth by an elite few in the government of a nation. This voluntary charity to family when they are need. The difference is night and day.
==2 Corinthians 8:16-19==
16 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: 
The type of care for other Christians that Paul was exhorting the church at Corinth to have, Paul says Titus has in him. Titus asked to go to Corinth; he did not have to be asked to go. Paul sends with Titus another traveling companion "whose praise is in the good news throughout all the churches", "who was also chosen of the churches to travel with Paul with this gift". This companion of Paul's and now Titus' has a great reputation among all the congregations and chosen to travel with Paul with the offering from those congregations of Macedonia.
Paul does not name this brother and it could have been a number of people. Given the timing and the reputation of this brother, it is a strong possibility it is Luke. It is not a point of contention as Paul did not specify. We should not adamantly do so either.
==2 Corinthians 8:20-24==
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. 23 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.
Paul is essentially saying that because of the presence of this brother with such a good and honest reputation, then no funny business with regard to the monies would be accused by anyone about Paul or Titus. It is a good lesson about honest men taking extra steps to maintain that honest reputation when potentially others might judge according to appearance and accuse without evidence of wrong doing.
Messengers of the churches - this is the word apostolos rather than aggelos (angel). They were those sent by the congregations to travel with Paul. This contextually is a generic use of the word apostolos. It is not teaching that Titus holds the office of Apostle as Paul did or that Titus was some kind of successor to that Apostolic Office as Matthias took Judas's place.
All in all, this chapter is a powerful chapter on the nature of giving especially given the time setting among the heavy persecution of the church by the Jews.
In Truth and Love.
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