2 Corinthians 8:1-24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:6

Insomuch that we desired Titus ,.... Observing the very great readiness, cheerfulness, and liberality of the poor Macedonians in this matter, the apostles could do no other than desire Titus to forward, hasten, and accomplish a like liberal contribution among the Corinthians; or the sense is, that the Macedonians not only prayed with much entreaty, as in 2 Corinthians 8:4 that the apostle would be pleased to take their collection, and send or carry it to Jerusalem; but also that they would... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:7

Therefore as ye abound in everything ,.... In all gifts and every grace, in the use and exercise of them, insomuch that they were enriched in everything, and wanted nothing; see 1 Corinthians 1:5 , that is here expressed in general, is explained by particulars following: in faith : both in the doctrine of faith, which they had received and professed, held fast to, and abode by; yea, they abounded in the knowledge of it, zeal for it, and thankfulness to God on account of it; and in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:8

I speak not by commandment ,.... Either of God, who has not fixed the certain times when, or certain sums which persons are to give, and other circumstances, which are left to discretion; but in general has signified it as his will, that those in necessity are to be relieved by such who are in ability to do it: or as an apostle, he did not speak in an imperious manner, extorting from them a collection, or laying his apostolical injunctions upon them to make one; he did not go about to force... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:9

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus ,.... This is a new argument, and a very forcible one to engage to liberality, taken from the wonderful grace and love of Christ, displayed in his state of humiliation towards his people; which is well known to all them that have truly believed in Christ; of this they are not and cannot be ignorant, his love, good will, and favour are so manifest; there are such glaring proofs of it in his incarnation, sufferings, and death, that leave no room for any... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:10

And herein I give my advice ,.... As Daniel did to Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 4:27 . The apostle did not choose to make use of his apostolical authority, or give orders, as he sometimes did in such cases; he did not think fit to speak by way of commandment, obliging them to what they ought to do willingly; looking upon this the most prudential step, and wisest method he could take in order to succeed, only to give his judgment in this matter, as what would be best for them, and most conducive... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:11

Now therefore perform the doing of it ,.... This is a conclusion from the former advice, to finish what was readily willed; for as it is not enough to do a thing, unless it is done cheerfully and willingly, so it is not sufficient to express a good will to such service as is here called to, without doing it; both should go together: that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also ; in some cases there is neither power nor will to do good; in others there is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:12

For if there be first a willing mind ,.... If what is done springs from a truly noble, generous spirit, a spirit of bountifulness and liberality; and is given cheerfully and freely, and according to a man's ability; the quantity matters not, whether it be more or less: it is accepted ; both of God and man: according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not . The widow's mite was as acceptable, and more so, than all the rich men cast into the treasury; a cup of cold... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:13

For I mean not that other men be eased and you burdened. Referring either to the givers; and that either to the richer and meaner sort in this church; the apostle's sense being, not to put the whole burden of the collection upon some only, whilst others were excused doing little or nothing; but that everyone should give according to his ability; or to other churches in poorer circumstances; and the apostle's meaning was, not that these churches by reason of their meanness should be entirely... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:14

But by an equality ,.... All that he meant was, that there might be an equality both in givers and receivers, proportioned to their several circumstances and stations of life: that now at this time ; which was a very necessitous time at Jerusalem, there being a famine there, and their common stock exhausted: your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want ; which respects either the different abilities of givers at different... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:15

As it is written ,.... In Exodus 16:18 he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack ; respect is had to the history of the manna, a sort of food God prepared for the Israelites in the wilderness; and which were gathered by them every morning, by some more, by others less; and yet when it came to be measured, every man had his "omer" and no more, one had nothing over, and the other not at all deficient; each man had his proper and equal quantity; and... read more

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