2 Corinthians 8:1

People's Bible Notes for 2 Corinthians 8:1

2Co 8:1 The Grace of Giving SUMMARY OF II CORINTHIANS 8: The Liberality of the Macedonian Brethren. Exhortation to the Corinthians to Abound in the Same Grace. The Example of Christ. The Spiritual Blessing of Liberal Giving. Titus and Another Brother Sent to Corinth to Aid and Encourage. Them. We do you to wit of the grace of God. "We make known to you the grace of God" (Revised Version). Paul now introduces the great collection of which he spoke in 1Co 16:1 Ro 15:26. See also Ac 11:29 24:17. It had always been the custom of the Jews in foreign lands to send up to Jerusalem contributions for the temple treasury, but Paul urges the contributions for God's spiritual temple, the poor saints. The mother church was in need and the abundance of the saints elsewhere was to be her supply. The cause of the destitution of the Jerusalem Christians is easily found in the times. Famine had stricken the land, this had been followed by the troubles and unsettled state of affairs which were leading to the Jewish war. The uneasiness of the public mind, as well as the tumults, disturbed business and labor. The result would necessarily be close times and destitution. The lessons of this great collection is that distance does not diminish the claims of suffering brethren for help. Churches of Macedonia. The Roman province of Macedonia embraced all Grecian countries north of the province of Achaia. The churches of Philippi, Thessalonians, and Berea, founded by Paul, and probably many others, were in this province.