2Corinthians:8

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Verse 1-6 - The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good in us , or done by us , at any time . It is great grace and favour from God , if we are made useful to others , and forward to any good work . He commends the charity of the Macedonians . So far from needing that Paul should urge them , they prayed him to receive the gift . Whatever we use or lay out for God , it is only giving him what is his own . All we give for charitable uses , will not be accepted of God , nor turn to our advantage , unless we first give ourselves to the Lord . By ascribing all really good works to the grace of God , we not only give the glory to him whose due it is , but also show men where their strength is . Abundant spiritual joy enlarges men 's hearts in the work and labour of love . How different this from the conduct of those who will not join in any good work , unless urged into it ! * Verse 7-9 - Faith is the root ; and as without faith it is not possible to please God , Hebrews strkjv @11:6 ,. so those who abound in faith , will abound in other graces and good works also ; and this will work and show itself by love . Great talkers are not always the best doers ; but these Corinthians were diligent to do , as well as to know and talk well . To all these good things the apostle desires them to add this grace also , to abound in charity to the poor . The best arguments for Christian duties , are drawn from the grace and love of Christ . Though he was rich , as being God , equal in power and glory with the Father , yet he not only became man for us , but became poor also . At length he emptied himself , as it were , to ransom their souls by his sacrifice on the cross . From what riches , blessed Lord , to what poverty didst thou descend for our sakes ! and to what riches hast thou advanced us through thy poverty ! It is our happiness to be wholly at thy disposal . * Verse 10-15 - Good purposes are like buds and blossoms , pleasant to behold , and give hopes of good fruit ; but they are lost , and signify nothing without good deeds . Good beginnings are well ; but we lose the benefit , unless there is perseverance . When men purpose that which is good , and endeavour , according to their ability , to perform also , God will not reject them for what it is not in their power to do . But this scripture will not justify those who think good meanings are enough , or that good purposes , and the mere profession of a willing mind , are enough to save . Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world , and to some less , that those who have abundance might supply others who are in want . It is the will of God , that by our mutual supplying one another , there should be some sort of equality ; not such a levelling as would destroy property , for in such a case there could be no exercise of charity . All should think themselves concerned to relieve those in want . This is shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the wilderness , Exodus strkjv @16:18 . Those who have most of this world , have no more than food and raiment ; and those who have but little of this world , seldom are quite without them . * Verse 16-24 - The apostle commends the brethren sent to collect their charity , that it might be known who they were , and how safely they might be trusted . It is the duty of all Christians to act prudently ; to hinder , as far as we can , all unjust suspicions . It is needful , in the first place , to act uprightly in the sight of God , but things honest in the sight of men should also be attended to . A clear character , as well as a pure conscience , is requisite for usefulness . They brought glory to Christ as instruments , and had obtained honour from Christ to be counted faithful , and employed in his service . The good opinion others have of us , should be an argument with us to do well . Henry ' _2__9 **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary **** _

---