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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER EIGHT:
CONGREGATION EQUALIZATION

[“Economic Equality”]
Key word: Sharing
Theme verse: 14

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – Congregations Abound in Giving

2CO8:1 Now, brothers, we want you to be aware of God’s charitable kindness that He has given to the congregations in Macedonia, 210

210	The congregations in Macedonia: An area in southeast Europe around the Balkans. Paul will now move on to another matter that needs resolution – a promised donation to poor churches elsewhere.

2CO8:2 that during a considerable test under oppression, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, caused the wealth of their liberality to abound. 211

211

Their deep poverty, caused the wealth of their liberality to abound: It is a truth that the poor always prove to be more charitable than the rich. Jesus made this same observation in the Jewish Temple when he saw the widow giving the two tiny coins. [Luke 21:1-4] The word “poor” is defined as those who must depend on others for the essentials of life, while the “rich” are those with a surplus after caring for such essentials.

2CO8:3 Because I testify that according to their power – even beyond their power – they undertook themselves, 2CO8:4 as they kept begging us with entreaties to charitably give and share in the ministry to the Saints 212 –

212

They kept begging us with entreaties to charitably give and share in the ministry to the Saints: Paul is going to move the rich, urban congregation of Corinth by the example of the poor in Macedonia. These actually begged – probably against Paul’s knowledge of their deep poverty – to share in the program of charity to others in even greater need. Paul had been instructed by the apostolic body in Jerusalem to “remember the poor” and his letters reveal that he does this. Compare Galatians 2:10. What he is about to suggest to the Corinthians will not sit well with modern churches in materialistic western culture.

2CO8:5 and not in accordance as we had hoped, but first they gave themselves to the Master and to us through God’s will. 2CO8:6 And so we encouraged Titus that, just as he had done initially, just so he should complete this same kind charity among you 213 [Corinthians].

213

Complete this same kind charity among you: In his first letter Paul had instructed that individual Saints save something as they were prospering and give this to the collection when Titus arrived. [1 Corinthians 16:2] It appears they did not do this. Now Paul will masterfully move them to act on this matter of charity to Christian churches in need.

2CO8:7 So, just as you abound in everything – in faith and in word, in knowledge and all earnestness, and in our compassionate affection for you – so that also in this charitable giving you may abound. 214

214

In this charitable giving you may abound: It is not enough in the Nazarene community to be rich only in faith and knowledge, for love may be absent in these. Each disciple must also abound in material sharing with the Saints in need. This matter was so serious that in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats the latter were sent into eternal extinction because they failed to come to the aid of those in need. [Matthew 25:31-46] Compare notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Romans 12:13. See Paul’s orders to the rich in 1 Timothy 6:17-19. On the subject of the rich search rich[es] in the Gospel of Luke.

2 Corinthians 8:8-9 – A Test of Your Love

2CO8:8 I am not saying this as a command, but because of the earnestness of others, I might test the genuineness of your compassionate affection. 215

215	I might test the genuineness of your compassionate affection: Or, prove. Sometimes love must be tested to discover its metal. See the Nazarene’s letter at Revelation 2:1ff.

2CO8:9 For you are aware of the charitable kindness of our Master Jesus Christ, that in your behalf he became poor though he was rich, 216 so that you might become rich through that One’s poverty. 217

216

He became poor though he was rich: The Nazarene was born into a poor family, something proven by the type offering, two doves, upon his circumcision. [Luke 2:24; Leviticus 1:14; 5:7; 12:8] How, then, was he “rich.” One view would be based on Philippians 2:5-7 – he had a pre-existence as the premier of God’s creative beings. He left this heavenly abode, with its celestial riches, to become truly a poor person, later without “a place to lay his head.” [Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58] On the pre-existence of Jesus Christ see the notes on John 17:5.

217	So that you might become rich through that One’s poverty: First, his poverty in leaving his celestial palace for life in poverty; and, second, by his self-sacrifice, surrendering his life in behalf of his Church. [2 Corinthians 6:10]

2 Corinthians 8:10-15 – Equalizing Your Surplus

2CO8:10 And on this subject I give an opinion: for this matter is of benefit to you [Corinthians]. From last year you made a start, not only to perform, but also a willingness to perform. 2CO8:11 But now to also finish the performing, in order that in harmony with a readiness to perform willingly, just so also finishing this readiness from what you possess. 218

218	Finishing this readiness from what you possess: Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 16:1. The Corinthians had promised about a year before to contribute to the donation in behalf of the poor Saints.

2CO8:12 For if the readiness is already there it is particularly acceptable according to what a person possesses 219 and not according to what that person does not possess

219	According to what a person possesses: Intent alone is not enough. The more a Christian possesses the more is expected in the way of Christian charity.

2CO8:13 For I do not want it to be easy on others with the all pressure on you, 2CO8:14 but rather by an equalizing 220 at the present time, your surplus might offset their deficiency, 221 so that also their surplus might come to offset your deficiency, 222 thus an equality might exist. 223

220	An equalizing: Paul will argue for a common economic equality just as the Church began. [Acts 2-6] The word “equalization” is now used of taxes in some areas.

221

Your surplus might offset their deficiency: Or, TCN: what you can spare may supply their need. In the Church there will always be the poor and the rich. It is the obligation of the rich to share with the poor so that some kind of equalization may occur. Also, one day the rich man is so, but the next poor; while one day a poor man becomes very rich. One cannot predict the turn of Life’s wheel.

222

Their surplus might come to offset your deficiency: It is also true that often the poorest are the most spiritual, and so the spirituality of the poor might offset the material-mindedness of the rich. Jesus and Paul are examples of extreme poverty combined with extreme spirituality, thus making even the rich wealthy spiritually. An example is Zacchaeus.

223

An equality might exist: The premier economic principle within the Church, seldom practiced and seldom attained. This example of community sharing was the original example as seen in Acts 2-6. All small tribal groups are communistic in nature: what one member of the community possesses belongs to the whole. An animal killed for food belongs to all equally. This works as long as the community is small, but degrades with the size of the group and their growing selfish greed. Ideally, the Nazarene Community of Friends of the Nazarene ought to be economically communistic [a word taken from the Greek for “sharing.”]

2CO8:15 Just as it has been written: “The person with much did not have more than enough, 224 and the person with little did not have too little.” 225 [Exodus 16:18]

224

The person with much did not have more than enough: Paul quotes Exodus 16:18 as proof of his appeal to a communal sharing. The example is that of the manna [divinely provided food, angels’ food] which could be gathered each morning. This was not the miracle. The real miracle was that no matter how much strength or ability an Israelite possessed [compare the old widow with the vigorous young man] the result was the same – just enough for each one.

225

The person with little did not have too little: A Christine principle for the entire Church and its individual members. Never should a member of the Church have “too little” when others have “too much.” This standard will come back to haunt sects whose leadership lives considerable better than their average membership; nor individual rich Christians who died without sharing liberally with others. Compare the Nazarene’s commandment to his “little flock.”[Luke 12:32, 33]

2 Corinthians 8:16-21 – Liberal Contributions

2CO8:16 However, thanks to The God, the One giving the same earnestness for you in Titus’ heart. 2CO8:17 Because he has surely received encouragement, but being very earnest himself, he is returning to you [Corinthians]. 2CO8:18 But we are also sending together with him that brother 226 whose praise in the Good News is [known] throughout all the congregations.

226	That brother: Likely Timothy.

2CO8:19 Not only that, but he was appointed by vote in the congregations to be our fellow traveler 227 with regard to this charitable gift to be dispensed by us for the glory of the Master and to prove our own readiness.

227

He was appointed by vote in the congregations to be our fellow traveler: Or, KJV: chosen by the churches; GDS: appointed by the churches; NEB: duly appointed. The Greek is KHEIROTONETHEIS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5500, to vote by stretching out the hand, appoint by vote, elect], or “placed by raised hands.” Some decisions and appointments were not made by just the apostolic body in Jerusalem, but also among various congregations who sent forth their own “apostles.” Note how the Corinthians do this at 1 Corinthians 16:3. Also, consider the “majority” at 2 Corinthians 2:6.

2CO8:20 And so, because of this, we make an arrangement so that no one can find fault with this liberal sharing 228 dispensed by us.

228	No one can find fault with this liberal sharing: That is, that none of the contribution be used for personal use.

2CO8:21 Because we “provide excellent things honorably, 229 not only in the sight of YHWH, but also in the sight of humans.” [Proverbs 3:4 LXX]

229	Provide excellent things honorably: Paul quotes Proverbs 3:4 [LXX].

2 Corinthians 8:22-24 – Sending Apostles

2CO8:22 Also, we are sending with them our brother 230 whom we have tested his earnestness in many ways many times, but now even more earnestly because of his considerable confidence in you [Corinthians].

230	Our brother: Likely Timothy. [2 Corinthians 1:1]

2CO8:23 Regarding Titus – he is my associate and co-worker in your behalf; or, [regarding] our brothers, these are congregational apostles 231 – Christ’s glory!

231	Congregational apostles: Or, messengers of the congregations, representatives of the congregations, ambassadors of such. The word apostle essentially means “one sent” or a representative. For details on this office in the Church see notes on 1 Corinthians 12:28.

2CO8:24 So, in front of all the congregations demonstrate your compassionate affection 232 and prove our boasting regarding you [Corinthians].

232	In front of all the congregations demonstrate your compassionate affection: Asking the rich Corinthians to fulfill their promise to help the poor. Love is useless unless “demonstrated.”

Review Question on Chapter Eight