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    2 Corinthians 8:1-9
    Lesson 349

    Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

    In this lesson:
     
    Christian stewardship.
    A gift from Macedonia.
     
    A year earlier, Paul asked the churches to raise money for the Christians
    in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1-3) suffering from famine (Acts 11:27-30).
     
    The following two chapters (through lesson 351) are on charitable giving.​

    Study Tip:
     
     Don't forget to read the Margin Notes in blue and to click on the links.​​

    The Second Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

    The King James Bible    ​



    2 Corinthians 8:1-9
    Generous giving

    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.
     
    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.
     
    6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
     
    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.
     
    8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
     
    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.

    ​
    Margin notes:
     
    "We do you to wit of the grace of God." (8:1) - Which means "we want to tell you about the grace of God."
     
    "Churches of Macedonia." (8:1) - Paul is referring to the churches in Berea, Philippi, and Thessalonica.
     
    "In a great trial of affliction." (8:2) - Although the churches in Macedonia were poor and had their own afflictions, they still donated to help Jerusalem.
     
    "The riches of their liberality." (8:2) - "The riches  of their generosity."
     
    "Beyond their power, they were willing of themselves." (8:3) - "Beyond their means, they were willing (to give) on their own accord."
     
    "Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift." (8:4) - The Macedonian churches begged Paul to accept their gift for Jerusalem (Romans 15:26).
     
    "And this they did, not as we hoped." (8:5) - "And they did (give), above and beyond what we had hoped." 
     
    "We desired Titus." (8:6) - "We asked Titus."
     
    "Ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge." (8:7) - "You are rich in everything, in faith, talking, and wisdom" (I Corinthians 1:5).
     
    " I speak not by commandment." (8:8) - "I am not ordering you."


                                                  New Living Translation 
     

    2 Corinthians 8:1-9
    A Call to Generous Giving
     
    1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.

    2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
     
    3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.

    4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.

    ​5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
     
    6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.

    ​7 Since you excel in so many ways-in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us-I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
     
    8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
     
    9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
    ​
    This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible.  However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
    Today's question:
     
    1. How did Jesus become poor? (8:9) 



     
    "Every Saint has a past; every sinner has a future."

    By Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
    Answer: (Do you agree?) 
    ​
    1. Jesus became poor when He gave up the riches of heaven, became human, and sacrificed Himself on the cross for mankind.  Jesus humbled Himself and became our servant so that we might live.  The Son of  God becoming a man is called the incarnation.  To learn more, see John 1:1-14 (lesson 164) and Philippians 2:6-11.

    ​              
     
          
    Application thought for the day:
     
    Charity must be given out of our love for God.
     
    Remember, our good deeds and charitable giving won't buy a ticket to heaven.
    It is only when we accept the gift of God's grace that we receive salvation.       
    Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible."  All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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