Zeal For Truth

In chapters 8 and 9 of this epistle to the Corinthians, Paul communicates the importance of giving. For this article, I have chosen to break away from my usual format in order to write a brief commentary, examining each verse. This is being done in order to make the scriptures the primary focus, since this happens to be one of those subjects that people have varied opinions about. By examining the scriptures, it is my hope that we might come to some agreement about what the New Testament teaches concerning giving.

If we can acknowledge the Bible to be correct in every area irrespective of our own prejudices, then we are in a position to allow God’s word to transform our thinking, fashioning it to that of the Christ ideal. Submitting to God must involve the willingness to abandon our own opinions when it is apparent that they are in conflict with God’s. My prayer is that all who read this article and any that may follow do so with an attitude of humility. I do not claim that my commentary is perfect in any way, yet I am fairly settled on the observations I have made, and at present do not see any reason to assume that my analysis could portray any significant deviation from what seems to be a rather direct message. Nevertheless, I welcome any reasonable alternate conclusions, knowing full well the opportunity for error when one undertakes the task of commenting on an entire chapter of scripture.

Giving as a Grace

1Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,5and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

Notice how this chapter begins. Paul opens by communicating his desire to reveal to the Corinthians the grace of God that was given to the Philippians or the “churches of Macedonia”. The verses following the first verse indicate the attributes of the grace he was referring to. Despite being very poor, the Philippians were very liberal in their giving – even giving beyond their natural ability to give. How is this possible? It is only possible because of the grace of God – his ability to do for them what they could not do for ourselves. Another attribute of this grace is demonstrated in their desire to give, such that they literally begged for the opportunity to support other Christians. Let that soak in. How many poverty-stricken Christians do you know who are so excited about giving that they are pleading for the chance to do so? In fact, I would venture to say that most poor Christians limit their giving because of their financial struggles. Yet these people considered it a favor to be able to participate in the offering. Here is an important question: Why did they even have to beg to give in the first place? We cannot say for sure, but perhaps it was because the apostles did not want to accept an offering from people who experienced such dire lack. It would not be out of the ordinary today for someone to make excuses for poor people who “are not able” to give.

6So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. 7But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.

Verse 6 apparently indicates that Titus was instructed to teach the Corinthians about the principles of giving in order to bring into fruition the grace of God pertaining to giving – the potential of which could have only be realized through sound teaching. As a result of this teaching, the churches were expected to give abundantly.

Love is an Act before it is a Fact

8I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.

Wow. Did you hear that? Prove the sincerity of their love? That is hard statement. In other words, “If you really love God and you love the saints, prove it!” Many people would read that and think, “But aren’t we supposed to give from our hearts? Why is Paul so direct? Isn’t this arm twisting?” Love demands action; it isn’t optional (1 John 3:18). That Paul would have the gall to strongly suggest that the Corinthians actualize their love by giving should in no way be perceived as manipulation.

God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense

9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Now before I attempt to explain this verse, let me ask a question: What is the subject under discussion her? The obvious answer is money, right? I mean we are talking about the grace of God that enables people to give of their substance to the work of God. Yet so many people will, because of their religious programming, read this verse and conclude that it means something far different than the context makes clear. Jesus was made poor. Spiritually poor? No, he was poor in the sense that he did not have much monetary substance when he walked the earth as a man. So then, through his poverty we have the ability to become rich. But that’s just talking about spiritual wealth, right? No! The concept of immaterial blessing has not once entered the conversation, and if Paul were to bring it up out of the blue it would make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Paul is speaking of a redemptive blessing afforded to believers through substitution. Just like he was made sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ, he was made poor so that we might live lives of abundance. Isn’t that what the scripture says?

Giving as a Benefit

10I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

Notice what Paul wrote in verse 10. He said that it was advantageous for the Corinthians to give. Most people do not think this way. They think that once something is given, it is gone; therefore, how could there be any advantage to give? Such thinking is very contrary to the concept of giving as it is outlined in the scriptures.

Verses 11 and 12 speak of the completion of their desire to give, suggesting that they had previously received light on the subject and are now being asked to follow through and prove the fruit of what they already know to be true. In verse 12, Paul seems to preempt the attitude of someone who might be tempted not to give because of personal lack by saying, “For if readiness in present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.”

10I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

Responsibility is not a Bad Word

13For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality– 14at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;15as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”

Notice the sense of mutual responsibility being communicated here.  Where responsibility is clearly defined there can never any be any doubt as to whether that responsibility must be met. Here again, it must be understood that Paul’s forwardness in conveying this responsibility should not be perceived as manipulative; nor should it be viewed as contradictory to the idea of giving from one’s heart.

Accountability as Honor

16But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus. 17For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord. 18We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches; 19and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness, 20taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; 21for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

Again, Paul goes back to discussing Titus, the one he previously said would help instruct them in order to bring into full maturity the revelation concerning giving. Here Paul speaks of the fact that Titus and an unnamed minister have been appointed by the churches to travel for the furtherance of the Gospel. This seems to suggest that the churches are financially supporting them in this endeavor. This being the case, coupled with the fact that they are coming to receive an offering from the Corinthians (as is made more clear in chapter 9) is reason enough for Paul to emphasize the integrity with which they conduct themselves. Perhaps this was said in order to disarm the argument that these ministers intended to deal unscrupulously with the funds they were to receive from the church.