2Cor. 7:1 ¶ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
“dearly beloved” - I think it is significant to note again that Paul is writing to people he cares about and wants to encourage in spiritual growth.
What promises? The promise that declares the believer a new creation in Christ clothed in the very righteousness of Jesus and positions him as a son or daughter of God the Father. Though the Father sees us as righteous through the blood of His Son, we still have to deal with sin in this body of flesh and blood. It takes work and commitment to stay clean from the filthiness of the flesh and spirit. The Greek for filthiness is a direct reference to immorality. It is important to note that this immorality is reflected in both flesh (physical activity) and spirit (thought activity). This is the point that Jesus was making in the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Until we receive our glorified bodies, the flesh will continue to struggle with the spirit of the child of God. Paul was very clear about this struggle in his letters to the Romans and the Galatians.
Romans 7:18-19 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”
Galatians 5:16-17 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
“perfecting holiness” – This is a reference to the process of sanctification or becoming more like Jesus as we grow spiritually. What is the key to sanctification? to staying clean before God? Becoming immersed in the word of God.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Ephesians 5:25-27 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Immersing oneself in the word of God is key to fighting spiritual immorality. Many Christians find it easier to discipline the flesh for fear of what others may think. The sins of the spirit, however, are not always as easily conquered. Personally, I continually struggle with a spirit of pride and selfishness. The more time I spend in God’s word and in fellowship with the LORD in prayer, the less opportunity I give the enemy to attack me through those weaknesses.
What is our motivation for working to become more holy? The fear of God. We tend to try to soften the impact of this phrase by relating it to reverence and awe and ignoring the truth that God is to be feared with alarm and fright (from the Greek) due to His amazing power and authority. I think it is important to understand that reverence and awe spring from an understanding of the power and authority of God that should provoke fear. Jesus referenced this truth as well when talking to His disciples about having a bold witness.
Matthew 10:28 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
True fear of the LORD produces obedience to His word.
Deuteronomy 13:4 “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.”
Fear of the LORD results in deliverance from your enemies.
2 Kings 17:39 “But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.”
Psalms 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
Fear of the LORD will always benefit us.
Psalms 34:9 “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”
Ecclesiastes 8:12 “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:”
Fear of God eliminates pride in one’s life.
Ephesians 5:21 “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
When we fear God, it pleases Him.
Psalms 147:11 “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”
When we fear God, we will hate evil.
Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Fear of the LORD produces wisdom.
Psalms 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Fear of the LORD empowers us to have a bold witness and have no fear of man.
Psalms 118:4-6 “Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
2Cor. 7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
Paul’s desire is to be received to enjoy unity of spirit and fellowship with this body of believers. He assures them that neither he nor any of his coworkers have wronged or taken advantage of anyone through their ministry. I believe that many in the ministry today would have trouble making this claim.
2Cor. 7:3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
Paul makes it clear that his love for the Corinthian believers is not dependent upon their returning that love. His love for them will endure in life or death together.
2Cor. 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
Paul is basically saying that in spite of the trouble they have experienced in their relationship, his heart is encouraged by their testimony to the world.
2Cor. 7:5 ¶ For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
Paul relates that when they first came to Macedonia, they were confronted with tremendous trouble that produced fear for their safety. The following verses reference how the good report from Titus about Corinth brought them comfort, so maybe some of the fears from within were regarding their concerns for the believers at Corinth.
2Cor. 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
2Cor. 7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
This verse has two important truths for the believer—1) God is our source of comfort, and 2) Sometimes that comfort is provided in the person of another believer.
The Greek for the word comfort gives the root of Webster’s definition. It doesn’t just mean to provide cheer and solace; it includes the idea of imparting strength through encouragement. That made a lot of sense to me in light of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the child of God. God personally comforts us through His Spirit and His Word. Often, He also provides us with the additional tangible, physical ministry from others in word and/or deed.
Paul admits that he and his team had been “cast down,” or a bit depressed, regarding how his letter might affect the status of their relationship with the Corinthian believers. Titus had evidently been commissioned to go and deliver Paul’s letter and report on the response of the Corinthians. The return of Titus with a good report was of great comfort to them all. Titus reported that the Corinthians had personally encouraged him and assured him of their fervent love for Paul. This report not only comforted Paul, it brought him great joy.
2Cor. 7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
2Cor. 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
Paul’s letter was fairly stern and pointed. Although written from a heart of love and concern, he wasn’t sure they would recognize that truth. That’s always the concern when expressing oneself through the written word. I can’t tell you how many times I have agonized over letters that I have written to family members out of spiritual concern taking great care with the choice of words and scripture and covering them in prayer. Still, my heart was burdened with how they would receive those letters and whether they would hear the heart behind them. I write posts for my blog and create these journals with that same concern always hovering in the background.
Paul was blessed to get a report of the response to his letter. Though he questioned whether he had done the right thing once the letter was on the way, he could now see that the result was according to his intention. Though his letter had undoubtedly caused sorrow, he could rejoice that it was sorrow that produced the fruit of repentance. It had resulted to their benefit and not their hurt. Repentance references a change in heart and/or action when confronted with one’s sin—a change that leads one to the foot of the cross.
Courson: “Many of us regret things we’ve said, written, or done. Like Paul’s, our heart may have been right, but then we second-guess our actions. The solution? Do your best at any given moment—be it in teaching, witnessing, or sharing. And then commit it to God and forget about it because God sees your heart.”
2Cor. 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Paul knew that had the response of the Corinthians been one of hurt and anger instead of godly sorrow that results in repentance, it could have resulted in a permanent rift in fellowship. This, in turn, would have had a negative impact on any future ministry in Corinth.
David Guzik used a quote attributed to John Trapp that I liked: "In sin, the pleasure passeth, the sorrow remaineth; but in repentance, the sorrow passeth, the pleasure abideth for ever. God soon poureth the oil of gladness into broken hearts."
“repentance to salvation” – I think the reference to salvation here is a reference to deliverance or rescue from further consequences associated with their sin—a repentance signifying their salvation.
2Cor. 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
I like the wording of the NLT for this verse: “Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish the wrongdoer. You showed that you have done everything you could to make things right.”
I believe it is only through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in one’s life that one can jump the hurdle of pride and in humility acknowledge their sin (especially sin that is identified by someone else) without blame shifting and with a true desire to make things right.
2Cor. 7:12 ¶ Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
Paul clearly states that his motive for writing so pointedly was because of his love and concern for the body of believers before God. He was much more concerned for the possible impact on the whole body of believers—not just the wrongdoer and his victim.
Ray Stedman expressed his understanding a bit differently, and it seemed to fit in more readily with the other translations: “He [Paul] is implying: ‘The reason you got into this condition where you let this kind of a matter go unjudged in your midst was because you forgot who you were. You forgot that you are sons of God, children of light, that you have understanding of life that others do not have; and that you have power to act that others do not possess.’ I wrote to you to show you who you are, that in your heart, basically, is an obedience of commitment to the Lord himself, because I knew that when you saw that again your whole behavior would change.”
2Cor. 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
Paul reiterates again how the report from Titus gave them cause for rejoicing—not only because of the response of the Corinthians to Paul’s letter, but also because of their ministry of encouragement to Titus. Instead of returning from a difficult errand tired and with a heavy heart, Titus was refreshed and ready to serve.
It really is amazing how our attitude impacts our energy and effectiveness in ministry—and many other areas of life. There are many times that the LORD has graciously given me an unexpected lift in spirit and renewed energy to keep on keeping on through an unexpected word of encouragement or appreciation from someone. It is always especially sweet when it comes from family—whether related by blood or spirit.
Wiersbe: “As you and I examine our own lives, we must determine to be a part of the answer and not a part of the problem We must show appreciation, practice separation, and encourage reconciliation if God is to use us to restore broken relationships.”
2Cor. 7:14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
Paul is basically saying that just as he has spoken truth in all his teaching to the Corinthians, so too had his words to Titus of his confidence in a right response from the believers at Corinth proven true.
At this point, you would never know that Paul had ever had the doubts he expressed in verse 8. I really am thankful that the LORD is faithful to reveal the spiritual struggles of great men and women of faith in scripture. They provide such great encouragement and hope when we are confronted with similar spiritual struggles.
2Cor. 7:15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
I liked the CJB translation for this verse: “And his affection for you is all the greater as he remembers how ready you were to obey and how you received him with reverence and respect.”
It is so very true that one’s love for others grows naturally in direct response to the love and respect one is shown by others. It’s easy to love someone who is kind and loving to you; it is much harder to continue to love those who are unlovable. That is one of the most amazing things about God’s love for us—the fact that He was willing to give His very best in the person of his Son though He knew that gift would be spurned by so many.
2Cor. 7:16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
At this point Paul has complete confidence in the spiritual health of the church at Corinth.
2Cor. 8:1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2Cor. 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
I think the CJB translation for these two verses is much clearer: “Now, brothers, we must tell you about the grace God has given the congregations in Macedonia. Despite severe trials, and even though they are desperately poor, their joy has overflowed in a wealth of generosity.”
I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ teaching of the widow and her mites in connection with Paul’s words.
Mark 12:41-44 “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”
It’s always interesting to me how those who have the least from a material perspective are often the ones who have the most generous hearts. Could it be because they more readily identify with those in need?
Paul’s emphasis is definitely on the generosity of heart of those in Macedonia and not the size of their gift. It is clear, however, that their gift far exceeded his expectations.
Paul also places great emphasis on the fact that the Macedonians were generous in the face of great affliction, which is a reference to trouble and persecution. They gave a beautiful testimony of experiencing joy in the midst of trial. I think of happiness as being a result of what one is experiencing, while joy is a result of recognizing what you possess in Jesus in spite of what you are experiencing.
One whose hope is rooted in the eternal is much more ready to share what is temporal, not cling to it. Those who most value the amazing gift of God to us through His Son are most likely to be willing to share with others with the same unconditional love.
2Cor. 8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
2Cor. 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
I liked the wording of the NLT for these verses: “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. They begged us again and again for the gracious privilege of sharing in the gift for the Christians in Jerusalem.”
These verses flow naturally with the thoughts expressed in the previous section. The Macedonians were definitely more focused on storing up treasure in heaven than on earth.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
How often in the church today do we hear of pastors being begged to accept the offerings of those in the church? Personally, I can’t think of even once. However, I often hear pastors making a plea for donations.
It also stood out to me that these offerings were given with the intent of ministering to the body of believers. Very seldom in churches today is the focus on ministering to the body; the focus is more often than not on outreach to the lost. Outreach to the lost is important; but scripture is everywhere clear on the need to meet the needs of the body of believers.
Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” – This is the verse that God used to clarify the area in which my ministry is to be focused.
Romans 12:10 & 13 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another… Distributing to the necessity of saints….”
1 Corinthians 16:1 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.”
Galatians 5:13 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
2Cor. 8:5 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.
The CJB translation was most thought-provoking in its wording: “Also, they didn’t do this in the way we had expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord, which means, by God’s will, to us.”
The first thing I notice is that the Macedonians “gave” themselves to the LORD; they had a choice; they weren’t commandeered into service.
Yielding to the LORD should result in yielding to His chosen messengers. In biblical days, those messengers were more easily identified. The prophets of old of the LORD were recognized by all even when they weren’t in favor. With the birth of the “church,” Satan increased his attack through false teachers. Today, especially in America, I believe that great discernment is required to identify the true messengers of God, and that discernment is directly dependent on personal knowledge of God’s word. Many claim to speak in the name of the LORD today that are actually speaking in the name of the enemy. This is as was prophesied by the apostles that were personally appointed by Jesus.
2 Peter 2:1-3 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”
2 Timothy 4:2-4 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Courson: “The pastor of a congregation who gives themselves to the Lord will never have to send fundraising letters or collect second offerings. When people have an open heart, they’ll invariably have an open hand.”
2Cor. 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
Evidently, Titus was the point person in establishing a like ministry of giving among the Corinthians. As such, it was deemed appropriate for him to take part in collection of their gift for delivery.
2Cor. 8:7 ¶ 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.
In this verse, Paul is expressing his hope that the Corinthians will prove to be as faithful and diligent in the area of giving to the needs of the saints as they have been in other areas of gifting. The Greek for the definition of “grace” always speaks to me: “…especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life….” God is always influencing our heart according to His will, but it is up to each believer to respond in faithful obedience.
2Cor. 8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Again, the CJB is quite clear: “I am not issuing an order; rather, I am testing the genuineness of your love against the diligence of others.”
Paul is very clear to identify when he is speaking “according to Paul.” He wasn’t beyond using a bit of peer pressure to produce desired results. It has to be recognized, however, that the Holy Spirit put His stamp of approval on Paul’s methodology. I think it is in recognition of the reality of human nature that man is motivated to do “better” in light of the lives of others; otherwise, we tend to get comfortable and content.
Paul was utilizing the biblical principle so boldly declared by James—Our actions prove our faith.
James 2:20 “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
I think the scripture is also clear in declaring that actions done in submission to God as a result of our love for Him reflect the value we place on His love for us.
Luke 7:44-47 “And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”
2Cor. 8:9 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.
What an amazing truth that is so easy to take for granted! The “Lord Jesus Christ” gave up the grandeur of heaven and left the presence of His Father to be born a human child. He became poor; the Greek defines this as a “beggar…indigent.” A beggar is dependent on others for support. Jesus was dependent upon His human parents and the provision of His heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit. To be indigent is to lack in material possessions. Even today these terms are relative in their use; and in comparison to what He possessed in the presence of His Father, Jesus certainly became “poor” in humbling Himself to come to earth as a man.
Why did He make such a choice? To make it possible for you and me to enjoy the riches of heaven as part of His family. Any sacrifice we might make on behalf of others is tiny in comparison.
Courson: “Born in a borrowed cradle, Jesus preached from a borrowed boat, rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, ate His Last Supper in a borrowed room, and was buried in a borrowed grave. He who made everything laid it all down and entered into total poverty that I might be rich.”
2Cor. 8:10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
2Cor. 8:11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
Paul is basically cheering the Corinthians on to finish what they so eagerly started a year ago. They shouldn’t let their perceived limitations hinder their giving; he is only asking them to give according to their ability to give.
For those of us who aren’t rich (relatively speaking), the enemy is really good at getting us to think that the little we have to give cannot make a difference. In reality, when our “little” is combined with the gifts of others, it can make a big difference to those in need.
I liked this quote from David Guzik: “The Devil will let you resolve as much as you like; the more the better, just as long as you never carry it out. ‘The tragedy of life so often is, not that we have no high impulses, but that we fail to turn them into actions.’ (Barclay)”
2Cor. 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
I think Paul is saying that the heart behind the gift is more important than the size of the gift; evidence of that heart attitude is how we give according to our ability. Again, that makes me think of the widow’s mites as referenced in my comments on verses 1-2 above.
Scripture emphasizes the fact that God is pleased when we give willingly.
1 Peter 5:2–4 “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Romans 12:6–8 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
2Cor. 8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
2Cor. 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
2Cor. 8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
I really liked the CJB translation for verses 13-14: “It is not that relief for others should cause trouble for you, but that there should be a kind of reciprocity: at present your abundance can help those in need; so that when you are in need, their abundance can help you — thus there is reciprocity.”
If all in the church had this mindset, there would be no need for outside help for those in the body of Christ. I am a slow learner, but I am learning. As I went through my closet again to donate to the needs in Haiti, I was reminded of how much I have—especially in comparison to those in need.
It’s interesting that Paul makes his point using God’s provision of the manna during the wilderness wanderings. The emphasis is that God provided according to need. We aren’t to feel pressured to give beyond our ability. If we are just willing to give according to our ability, God will use it to meet the needs of the body.
2Cor. 8:16 ¶ But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
2Cor. 8:17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
Paul is saying that although Titus was being sent to complete the project he had spearheaded, it was for him a mission of love. Titus was eager to go back and have some fellowship with the Corinthian believers. As with all true love, Titus’ love for the people was an expression of God’s love for them being expressed through him.
2Cor. 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
2Cor. 8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
Titus wasn’t coming to Corinth alone; another unnamed, but highly regarded minister of the gospel was coming with him. I think Paul was assuring the Corinthians that their gift would be in trustworthy hands en route with Paul to the church in Jerusalem.
I think there is an important application here—A good reputation among the body of believers opens the door of opportunity for more service. Also, a willing servant is not concerned about personal recognition; he is concerned about accomplishing the will of God to the glory of God.
Wiersbe: “We glorify God by using what He gives us the way He wants it used. If the people who manage church finances are not burdened to glorify God, they will soon be using those funds in ways that dishonor God.”
2Cor. 8:20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
2Cor. 8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
I really liked the wording of the NLT for these verses: “By traveling together we will guard against any suspicion, for we are anxious that no one should find fault with the way we are handling this generous gift. We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to know we are honorable.”
This is important counsel for every ministry that claims to be serving in the name of the LORD. Not only should they recognize that they are accountable to God, but they are accountable to the people. Financial transparency should not be an issue in church ministry.
This connects back with the thoughts expressed in chapter 6: “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed….”
2Cor. 8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
Paul identifies yet another trusted servant that will be traveling with Titus, though again not by name. Again, this man has proven himself to be conscientious and careful in ministry before the LORD many times in many different circumstances; his testimony is without reproach.
2Cor. 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
2Cor. 8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
These verses seem to be declaring Titus as Paul’s personal representative and the two companions as representatives of other churches that were part of providing this special gift for the church at Jerusalem. Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to show them love in accordance with his expectations of them. He has very openly bragged about the Corinthian church to other churches and is encouraging them to live up to their reputation in the body of Christ. Paul reminds them that their expression of love should be a direct expression of their love for the Christ they serve.