2 Corinthians 8 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1The grace (ten charin). As manifested in the collection in the churches, poor as they were. The Romans had lacerated Macedonia (Livy, XLV. 30).
2Proof (dokime). Tests as of metals as in 2:9.
Abundance (perisseia). Late word from perisseuo, to overflow.
Their deep poverty (e kata bathous ptocheia auton). Ptocheia is old word from ptocheuo, to be a beggar, as of Jesus in 8:9 (from ptochos, cowering in fear and poverty, as in Lu 14:13 , but ennobled by Christ as in Mt 5:3; 2Co 8:9 ). Poverty down deep. Strabo (LX 419) has kata bathous, down to the bottom.
Liberality (aplotetos). From aplous, single, simple (Mt 6:22 ). "The passage from single-mindedness or simplicity to liberality is not quite obvious" (Plummer). Perhaps "heartiness" supplies the connecting link. See also 9:11-13.
3Beyond their power (para dunamin). "Alongside" with accusative like uper dunamin in 1:8. Field (Ot. Nov.) quotes Josephus (Ant. iii. 6, 1) for kata dunamin and para dunamin as here. Few give kata dunamin (according to actual ability). Paul commends this high pressure collection because of the emergency.
Of their own accord (authaireto). Old verbal adjective (autos, airetos from aireoma, to choose), of their own initiative, voluntary. Only here and verse 17 in N.T. Papyri often have ekousios ka authairetos (willingly and voluntarily).
4Beseeching us with much intreaty in regard of this grace (meta polles parakleseos deomeno emon ten charin). Literally, "with much intreaty begging of us the favour and the partnership in the ministry to the saints." The accusative (charin) after deoma is unusual. By charis Paul means the privilege of giving (cf. Ac 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.
5We had hoped (elpisamen). First aorist active indicative of elpizo. "Expected," he means. They went beyond his hopes about them.
First they gave their own selves (eautous edokan proton). First aorist active indicative of didom (k aorist). "Themselves they gave first." That is the explanation of the generous giving.
6Insomuch that we exhorted Titus (eis to parakalesa emas Titon). Use of eis to and the infinitive for result with accusative of general reference (emas). See Robertson, Grammar, p. 1003.
He had made a beginning before (proenerxato). First aorist active indicative of the double compound verb pro-en-archoma, still found only here and verse 10, to make a start before others.
Complete (epitelese) First aorist (effective) active subjunctive of epiteleo, to finish, with perfective use of ep in composition.
7In this grace also (ka en taute te charit). This gifted church (1Co 12-14 ) had fallen behind in the grace of giving. Kindly irony in this allusion.
8Proving (dokimazon). Testing and so proving.
The sincerity also of your love (ka to tes umeteras agapes gnesion). Old adjective, contraction of genesios (ginoma), legitimately born, not spurious. A collection is a test of one's love for Christ, not the only test, but a real one.
9Though he was rich (plousios on). Concessive present participle on from eim, to be.
Be became poor (eptocheusen). Ingressive aorist active indicative of ptocheuo (see verse 2 on ptocheia).
Through his poverty (te ekeinou ptocheia). Instrumental case, by means of.
Might become rich (ploutesete). Ingressive first aorist active subjunctive of plouteo, to be rich with ina (that). See on Lu 1:53; 1Co 4:8 .
10Judgment (gnomen). Deliberate opinion, but not a "command" (epitage verse 8). Cf. 1Co 7:25 .
A year ago (apo perus) From last year.
Not only to do, but also to will (ou monon to poiesai, alla ka to thelein). Articular infinitives the objects of proenerxasthe on which verb see verse 6). That is to say, the Corinthians promised before any others.
11The readiness to will (e prothumia tou thelein). Old word from prothumos (pro, thumos), forwardness, eagerness (Ac 17:11 ). They were quick to pledge.
The completion also (ka to epitelesa). 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" (verse 12).
12Is there (prokeita). Lies before one. Old word.
Acceptable (euprosdektos). See on 6:2.
According as a man hath (katho ean eche). Indefinite comparative clause with ean and present subjunctive eche. Clearly God does not expect us to give what we do not have.
Not according as he hath not (ou katho ouk eche). Note present indicative rather than subjunctive because a specific case is presented. See 9:7; Mr 12:43 .
13Others may be eased (allois anesis). "Release to others."
Ye distressed (umin thlipsis). "To you tribulation." The verb e (present subjunctive) with ina is not expressed.
14By equality (ex isotetos). Old word from isos, fair, equal. In N.T. only here and Col 4:1 .
Abundancy (perisseuma). Late word from perisseuo like perisseia (verse 2) Cf. Mt 12:34 .
Want (usterema). Late word from ustereo, to be in want. See also 9:12; Lu 21:4 (cf. usteresis in Mr 12:44 ).
16Which putteth (to didont). Present active articular participle, "who is continually giving." Hence Titus is full of zealous care for you.
17Very earnest (spoudaioteros). "More earnest than ordinarily," comparative adjective.
18We have sent with him (sunepempsamen met' autou). Epistolary aorist.
The brother (ton adelphon). This may be, probably is, Luke who may also be the brother of Titus (see also 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 (dia pason ton ekklesion). No verb in the Greek (ellipsis).
19But who was also appointed (alla ka cheirotonetheis). Anacoluthon. The first aorist passive participle cheirotonetheis is from cheirotoneo, old verb to stretch out the hands (cheir teino) 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 Ac 14:23 where it means to appoint without notion of raising the hands. In Ac 10:41 we have procheirotoneo.
To travel with us (sunekdemos). Late word for travelling companion. So in the inscriptions (sun, together with, ekdemos, away from home).
20Avoiding this (stellomeno touto). Present middle participle of stello, old verb, to set, to arrange. So "arranging for ourselves this."
That any man should blame us (me tis emas momeseta). Literally, "lest any one blame us" (negative purpose with me and first aorist middle subjunctive of momeoma. See on 6:3, only other N.T. example).
Bounty (adrotet). Old word from adros, thick, stout, ripe, rich, great as in 1Ki 1:9; 2Ki 10:6 . Only here in N.T.
21We take thought (pronoumen). Old verb, to plan beforehand (pro-) as in Ro 12:17; 1Ti 5:8 .
But also in the sight of men (alla ka enopion anthropon). It is not enough for one's financial accounts to be honourable (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.
22Our brother (ton adelphon emon). 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.
23About Titus (uper Titou). There is no verb expressed. Supply "inquire." He endorses Titus up to the hilt. He is "my partner" (koinonos emos) and "fellow-worker" (sunergos).
Messengers of the churches (apostolo ekklesion). Apostles in the general sense of "sent ones" (from apostello, to send) by the churches and responsible to the churches for the handling of the funds.
The glory of Christ (doxa Christou). Financial agents, please observe.
24The proof of your love (ten endeixin tes agapes umon). 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 (eis prosopon ton ekklesion). 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.
2 Corinthians 9