Bible Commentaries

The grace (την χαριν — tēn charin). As manifested in the collection in the churches, poor as they were. The Romans had lacerated Macedonia (Livy, XLV. 30).

Proof (δοκιμηι — dokimēi). Tests as of metals as in 2 Corinthians 2:9.

Abundance (περισσεια — perisseia). Late word from περισσευω — perisseuō to overflow.

Their deep poverty (η κατα βατους πτωχεια αυτων — hē kata bathous ptōcheia autōn). Πτωχεια — Ptōcheia is old word from πτωχευω — ptōcheuō to be a beggar, as of Jesus in 2 Corinthians 8:9 (from πτωχος — ptōchos cowering in fear and poverty, as in Luke 14:13, but ennobled by Christ as in Matthew 5:3; 2 Corinthians 8:9). Poverty down deep. Strabo (LX 419) has κατα βατους — kata bathous down to the bottom.

Liberality (απλοτητος — haplotētos). From απλους — haplous single, simple (Matthew 6:22). “The passage from single-mindedness or simplicity to liberality is not quite obvious” (Plummer). Perhaps “heartiness” supplies the connecting link. See also 2 Corinthians 9:11-13.

Beyond their power (παρα δυναμιν — para dunamin). “Alongside” with accusative like υπερ δυναμιν — huper dunamin in 2 Corinthians 1:8. Field (Ot. Nov.) quotes Josephus (Ant. iii. 6, 1) for κατα δυναμιν — kata dunamin and παρα δυναμιν — para dunamin as here. Few give κατα δυναμιν — kata dunamin (according to actual ability). Paul commends this high pressure collection because of the emergency.

Of their own accord (αυταιρετοι — authairetoi). Old verbal adjective (αυτοσ αιρετος — autosαιρεομαι — hairetos from εκουσιως και αυταιρετως — haireomai to choose), of their own initiative, voluntary. Only here and 2 Corinthians 8:17 in N.T. Papyri often have hekousiōs kai authairetōs (willingly and voluntarily).

Beseeching us with much intreaty in regard of this grace (μετα πολλης παρακλησεως δεομενοι ημων την χαριν — meta pollēs paraklēseōs deomenoi hēmōn tēn charin). Literally, “with much intreaty begging of us the favour and the partnership in the ministry to the saints.” The accusative (χαριν — charin) after δεομαι — deomai is unusual. By χαρις — charis Paul means the privilege of giving (cf. Acts 24:27). Apparently Paul had been reluctant to press the Macedonians because of their manifest poverty. They demanded the right to have a share in it.

We had hoped (ηλπισαμεν — ēlpisamen). First aorist active indicative of ελπιζω — elpizō “Expected,” he means. They went beyond his hopes about them.

First they gave their own selves (εαυτους εδωκαν πρωτον — heautous edōkan prōton). First aorist active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi (k aorist). “Themselves they gave first.” That is the explanation of the generous giving.

Insomuch that we exhorted Titus (εις το παρακαλεσαι ημας Τιτον — eis to parakalesai hēmas Titon). Use of εις το — eis to and the infinitive for result with accusative of general reference (ημας — hēmas). See Robertson, Grammar, p. 1003.

He had made a beginning before (προενηρχατο — proenērxato). First aorist active indicative of the double compound verb προεναρχομαι — prȯeṅarchomai still found only here and 2 Corinthians 8:10, to make a start before others.

Complete (επιτελεσει — epitelesei) First aorist (effective) active subjunctive of επιτελεω — epiteleō to finish, with perfective use of επι — epi in composition.

In this grace also (και εν ταυτηι τηι χαριτι — kai en tautēi tēi chariti). This gifted church (1 Corinthians 12-14) had fallen behind in the grace of giving. Kindly irony in this allusion.

Proving (δοκιμαζων — dokimazōn). Testing and so proving.

The sincerity also of your love (και το της υμετερας αγαπης γνησιον — kai to tēs humeteras agapēs gnēsion). Old adjective, contraction of γενεσιος — genesios (γινομαι — ginomai), legitimately born, not spurious. A collection is a test of one‘s love for Christ, not the only test, but a real one.

Though he was rich (πλουσιος ων — plousios ōn). Concessive present participle ων — ōn from ειμι — eimi to be.

Be became poor (επτωχευσεν — eptōcheusen). Ingressive aorist active indicative of πτωχευω — ptōcheuō (see 2 Corinthians 8:2 on πτωχεια — ptōcheia).

Through his poverty (τηι εκεινου πτωχειαι — tēi ekeinou ptōcheiāi). Instrumental case, by means of.

Might become rich (πλουτησητε — ploutēsēte). Ingressive first aorist active subjunctive of πλουτεω — plouteō to be rich with ινα — hina (that). See Luke 1:53; note on 1 Corinthians 4:8.

Judgment (γνωμην — gnōmēn). Deliberate opinion, but not a “command” (επιταγη — epitagē 2 Corinthians 8:8). Cf. 1 Corinthians 7:25.

A year ago (απο περυσι — apo perusi) From last year.

Not only to do, but also to will (ου μονον το ποιησαι αλλα και το τελειν — ou monon to poiēsaiπροενηρχαστε — alla kai to thelein). Articular infinitives the objects of proenērxasthe on which verb see 2 Corinthians 8:6). That is to say, the Corinthians promised before any others.

The readiness to will (η προτυμια του τελειν — hē prothumia tou thelein). Old word from προτυμος — prothumos (προ τυμος — proκαι το επιτελεσαι — thumos), forwardness, eagerness (Acts 17:11). They were quick to pledge.

The completion also (εκ του εχειν — kai to epitelesai). The finishing also (articular first aorist active infinitive).

Out of your ability (ek tou echein). “Out of the having,” literally, and so, “out of what you can give” (2 Corinthians 8:12).

Is there (προκειται — prokeitai). Lies before one. Old word.

Acceptable (ευπροσδεκτος — euprosdektos). See note on 2 Corinthians 6:2.

According as a man hath (κατο εαν εχηι — katho ean echēi). Indefinite comparative clause with εαν — ean and present subjunctive εχει — echei Clearly God does not expect us to give what we do not have.

Not according as he hath not (ου κατο ουκ εχει — ou katho ouk echei). Note present indicative rather than subjunctive because a specific case is presented. See 2 Corinthians 9:7; Mark 12:43.

Others may be eased (αλλοις ανεσις — allois anesis). “Release to others.”

Ye distressed (υμιν τλιπσις — humin thlipsis). “To you tribulation.” The verb ηι — ēi (present subjunctive) with ινα — hina is not expressed.

By equality (εχ ισοτητος — ex isotētos). Old word from ισος — isos fair, equal. In N.T. only here and Colossians 4:1.

Abundancy (περισσευμα — perisseuma). Late word from περισσευω — perisseuō like περισσεια — perisseia (2 Corinthians 8:2) Cf. Matthew 12:34.

Want (υστερημα — husterēma). Late word from υστερεω — hustereō to be in want. See also 2 Corinthians 9:12; Luke 21:4 (cf. υστερησις — husterēsis in Mark 12:44).

Which putteth (τωι διδοντι — tōi didonti). Present active articular participle, “who is continually giving.” Hence Titus is full of zealous care for you.

Very earnest (σπουδαιοτερος — spoudaioteros). “More earnest than ordinarily,” comparative adjective.

We have sent with him (συνεπεμπσαμεν μετ αυτου — sunepempsamen met' autou). Epistolary aorist.

The brother (τον αδελπον — ton adelphon). This may be, probably is, Luke who may also be the brother of Titus (see also 2 Corinthians 12:18) according to a common Greek idiom where the article is used as “his.” But this idiom is not necessary. As a matter of fact, we do not know who this brother is.

Is spread through all the churches (δια πασων των εκκλησιων — dia pasōn tōn ekklēsiōn). No verb in the Greek (ellipsis).

But who was also appointed (αλλα και χειροτονητεις — alla kai cheirotonētheis). Anacoluthon. The first aorist passive participle χειροτονητεις — cheirotonētheis is from χειροτονεω — cheirotoneō old verb to stretch out the hands (χειρ τεινω — cheir teinō) and so to vote in public. The idea is that this brother was chosen by the churches, not by Paul. Only here in N.T. save Acts 14:23 where it means to appoint without notion of raising the hands. In Acts 10:41 we have προχειροτονεω — procheirotoneō

To travel with us (συνεκδημος — sunekdēmos). Late word for travelling companion. So in the inscriptions (συν — sun together with, εκδημος — ekdēmos away from home).

Avoiding this (στελλομενοι τουτο — stellomenoi touto). Present middle participle of στελλω — stellō old verb, to set, to arrange. So “arranging for ourselves this.”

That any man should blame us (μη τις ημας μωμησηται — mē tis hēmas mōmēsētai). Literally, “lest any one blame us” (negative purpose with μη — mē and first aorist middle subjunctive of μωμεομαι — mōmeomai See note on 2 Corinthians 6:3, only other N.T. example).

Bounty (αδροτητι — hadrotēti). Old word from αδρος — hadros thick, stout, ripe, rich, great as in 1 Kings 1:9; 2 Kings 10:6. Only here in N.T.

We take thought (προνουμεν — pronoumen). Old verb, to plan beforehand (προ — pro -) as in Romans 12:17; 1 Timothy 5:8.

But also in the sight of men (αλλα και ενωπιον αντρωπων — alla kai enōpion anthrōpōn). It is not enough for one‘s financial accounts to be honourable (καλα — kala) as God sees them, but they should be so kept that men can understand them also. A timely warning. Paul took the utmost pains that no suspicion could be attached to him in this collection.

Our brother (τον αδελπον ημων — ton adelphon hēmōn). Not Paul‘s personal brother, but a brother in Christ, one whom Paul had tested and was willing to trust. It may have been Tychicus or Apollos, but we do not know.

About Titus (υπερ Τιτου — huper Titou). There is no verb expressed. Supply “inquire.” He endorses Titus up to the hilt. He is “my partner” (κοινωνος εμος — Koinéōnos emos) and “fellow-worker” (συνεργος — sunergos).

Messengers of the churches (αποστολοι εκκλησιων — apostoloi ekklēsiōn). Apostles in the general sense of “sent ones” (from αποστελλω — apostellō to send) by the churches and responsible to the churches for the handling of the funds.

The glory of Christ (δοχα Χριστου — doxa Christou). Financial agents, please observe.

The proof of your love (την ενδειχιν της αγαπης υμων — tēn endeixin tēs agapēs humōn). There is a word here for pastors and deacons who try to protect the churches from the denominational representatives of kingdom causes.

In the face of the churches (εις προσωπον των εκκλησιων — eis prosōpon tōn ekklēsiōn). A great host is pictured as watching how the Corinthians will treat these duly accredited agents in the collection (Titus and the other two brethren). It requires courage to stand by such representatives of great causes before stingy saints.