2 Corinthians 8:2 - Exposition

In a great trial of affliction; rather, in much testing of affliction ; i.e. in an affliction which put to the proof their Christian character. "They were not simply afflicted," says St. Chrysostom, "but in such a way as also to become approved by their endurance." (For the word rendered "trial," see Romans 5:4 , and in this Epistle, 2 Corinthians 2:9 ; 2 Corinthians 9:13 ; 2 Corinthians 13:3 .) "Affliction" seems to have befallen the Churches of Macedonia very heavily ( 1 Thessalonians 1:6 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:14 ), chiefly through the jealousy of the Jews, who excited the hatred of the Gentiles ( Acts 16:20 ; Acts 17:5 , Acts 17:13 ). The abundance of their joy. Another reference to joy in sadness (see on 2 Corinthians 7:4 ). There is not the least necessity to understand the verb "is" or "was" after this clause. "The abundance… abounded" is indeed a pleonasm, but is not at all unlike the style of St. Paul. He means to say that their joy overflowed their affliction, and their liberality overflowed their poverty ( Mark 12:44 ). Their deep poverty; literally, their pauperism to the depth; their abysmal penury. Though they were βαθύπτωχοι , they showed themselves in generosity to be βαθυπλουτοι . Stanley refers to Arnold's 'Roman Commonwealth,' where he mentions that the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia, which had suffered greatly in the three civil wars, appealed successfully to Tiberius for a diminution of their burdens. The gift of the Macedonians was like the widow's mite ( Luke 21:3 , Luke 21:4 , where similar words occur— perisseuo, husterema ). Of their liberality; rather, of their singleness of purpose or simplicity ( Ephesians 6:5 ). The "grace" and single-heartedness to which he alludes showed themselves in liberality.