2 Corinthians 8:9-24 Bible Teaching

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Alright, so we left off with Paul sort of standing up and launching his support behind a campaign to help the saints at Jerusalem.

Today we are going to do something for the first time in the CAMPUS history and I don’t think we will have to do it again.

We are going to take not one but two FULL chapters and are going to cover them in one day.

Chapter 8 and chapter 9.

Now, last week I embarked on chapter 8 in a verse by verse approach. And I taught through verses 1-8, stopping to highlight one verse that spoke of Fear and Trembling, and then the final verse (8) where Paul says that he was giving the Saints at Corinth an opportunity to “prove their love.”

How? By giving to the cause of support for the Jerusalem Saints.

While I was teaching through it I was not at ease with the overall message, but was able to justify it (in my mind) by considering the situation that the Saints were in at Jerusalem and with Paul being an apostle I thought, “well okay. He was led.”

Afterward I got several reactions from people I trust in relation to the text. Their reactions sort of shocked me – but I have to admit, I agreed with them, I just wasn’t willing to admit it to myself.

The reactions ranged from being “appalled” (pun very much intended) to being sort of dismayed and angry.

At what?

At the fact that Paul approached the believers in this manner. Now, this is part of the record, and so we have a natural tendency to think (at least I do) that it was God breathed (or inspired).

But Paul himself admits in verse 8 that he speaks “not by commandment” which is better interpreted, with authority on the subject.

But here’s the gig – he spends 39 verses of our modern Bibles on the topic. That’s some velum and ink.

Because he admits that he has no authority to do this, and because of the manner in which he does it, mixed with the fact that this was originally just a letter to them and therefore would naturally contain non-essential items, and more importantly because Paul was a man who was subject to errors and mistakes, and then MOST importantly, his advice is in conflict with the way Jesus taught His disciples.

Don’t make a show of your giving. Matthew 6:2

God will provide.

You cannot serve God and Mammon.

Worries about the cares of this world can choke a person.

On giving.

What could cause Paul to resort to this action that he admits was not with any authority?

Perhaps on the kind side he just really wanted to help the suffering. But he employed strategies that were clearly of man.

Perhaps the bride in Jerusalem was in real need but I would assume that God would have moved him to act if this was the case and he says that he had no authority so it apparently wasn’t.

Maybe Paul wanted to bring a show of leadership to the other apostles in Jerusalem – and prove the value of the Gentile Saints that he had garnered out from the world.

Perhaps he had promised the apostles directly or indirectly that support was coming, and when it failed to materialize he felt the need to make good on his promise.

Scripture does not hesitate to point out, even indirectly, the failures of the Apostles.

Peter (or course) james and John, Andrew and others humanity shines through the narrative. There is no reason Paul’s shouldn’t too. And here is one place where I think it does.

However, we don’t KNOW why Paul took the time to go this route, and I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but what we DO know is he acted without authority AND some of the things we actually read him saying are difficult to embrace – at best.

So, after some consideration and thought, I am going to treat chapters 8 and 9 and uninspired and simply a historical recitation of Paul and his human interaction with the church.

Since we already covered verses 1-8 of chapter 8 last week, I am going to simply re-read them now, and continue to read the rest of 8, then 9, summarize the story and highlights, and then take us into chapter 10 next week where Paul moves along.

This stance I am taking is not so unusual
as several times – especially in 1st and 2nd Corinthians – Paul admits that he speaks his own opinion and/or that what he says is NOT from the LORD.

I am also going to take the time to pull principle passages out that may be of benefit but at the same time I am going to be critical of passages where I think Paul is being manipulative – and I don’t think the approach is beneficial or in accordance with the teachings of Jesus.

So here we go – as we read and covered last week:

2nd Corinthians 8.9-end
January 27th 2019
Meat
8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
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.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
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.
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
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.
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

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.

I personally find this line manipulative. I don’t appreciate it. If these believers have the Spirit, the SPIRIT will open them up to the gratitude for all that the Lord has given on their behalf and this is the point – Paul uses Jesus offering on their behalf to motivate them to give goods. To me he proves that he did NOT have the authority to speak in this manner.

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.
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.

The word translated advice means his opinion or judgement on the matter. And his view was it was best for them to finish what they started a year ago – and his reason is that their initial desire would be matched by doing or completing the action once desired.

He pushes harder in his advice, and tells them to perform the doing of it, adding (verse 12)

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.

Another way to say this is from the RSV

12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not.

I like this bit of advice and think it is good. If there is a readiness or a disposition to give; if the heart is in it, then the offering is acceptable to God, whether you be able to give much or little.

This two chapter exercise to me is an illustration of a MAN of flesh and blood, who also loves God, trying to do his best but some of his humanity shines through, and it is not to be replicated even though it is in scripture.

So while he does some MANipulations, he also adds some really good teachings to them.

I am going to list the majors on the board – the BIG PLUSSES and the BIG MINUSSES.

So thus far, the minuses, in my opinion, are:

Verses 1-6 makes comparisons between them and the believers at Macedonia

Verse 7 “see that you abound in this grace (of giving) also”

Verse 8 he tells them “to prove the sincerity of their love.” (while the principle is true, it does not need to be applied by one person to another. The Spirit will accomplish this)

Verse 9 This is guilt driven using the Lord’s sacrifice to motivate them to sacrifice.”

PLUSSES
Verse 7 “He praises them for how they have abounded in many graces”

Verse 10 “to advise to continue what they started is not bad advice”

Verse 12 is a great insight and to me inspired, that it is not what we can do but the heart behind the desire to do.

Okay, at verse 13-15, after saying this about the heart, he adds:

13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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:
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

The RSV reads:

13 I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened,
14 but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality.
15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

Okay, when the rubber meets the road, folks, this advice and or insight of Paul’s, is pure communism.

Now, it is possible that the Christian church was attempting to live under the principles formulated later by Marx as communal living. There is evidence of this in the New Testament and many many groups – especially religious groups – have attempted to live in this manner.

Certain “Christian communes” in the nineteenth century held this view, as did some in the 1960s.

The Hutterites or “Hutterian Brethren,” which was an Anabaptist sect dating from about 1533 in Moravia and are still found in Western United States and Canada today, have promoted communal living for centuries.

Of course the Mormons tried it (and failed) and some of the Amish and Mennonite groups do it still.

The contemporary Bruderhofs, (established by Eberhard Arnold from Germany and today found mainly in the New England states) also, likewise promote community of goods.

The “Twelve Tribes” groups, located mainly in the eastern United States but also in certain foreign countries, strongly promote communal living and say that this is the only way one may be faithful to God and be saved.

But generally speaking, at least on the macro level, it does NOT work. In a family. Sure. In a neighborhood, perhaps. Not in a city, and not in the Body of Christ spread across the world.

We abide in a world of flesh and the principles, not matter how noble on paper, will always fail under the weight of self-interest.

History make this fact manifest. Nevertheless, in the early apostolic church, the love, and the spirit, and the pulse of the Spirit which admittedly IS wholly communal, drove the believers to attempt it.

Biblically, communal living was present in Exodus, as we read

Exodus 16:18 he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

And in the New Testament we read that Jesus and the Twelve bore a money bag to care for their collective needs.

Post his ascension Luke tells us that the disciples “were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers” (Acts 2:42). And then we read in verses 44-47) of a great change in their relationships with each other as it says:

“All those who had believed were together, and had all things in common, and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number [together] day by day those who were being saved.”

Then in chapter four of Acts (verses 32, 34-35) we read:

“The congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them. . . . For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need.”

These insights give us a lot of insight as to why Paul POSSIBLY was trying to bring the churches outside of Jerusalem to the table of communal sharing.

Unfortunately, instead of allowing the Spirit to move and motivate the believers in that day, Paul started to do the motivating – not with authority, I might add.

And that is what we are reading today.

So where he wrote:

13 I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened,
14 but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality.

Remember what Marx said:

“From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”

What Paul says here is close in concept, and seems to be the reason he is pushing the idea on the outlying churches in Asia Minor.

Paul adds:

15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

This is a direct quote from Exodus which I cited above, and I am now convinced that Paul was attempting to promote or continue to be part of this communal ideal that existed in the Old Testament, in Jesus day with the twelve and the providing and sharing of food with the five thousand, and then what was present in the Post Pentecostal church.

However . . . Paul, to me, takes it one step too far, and appealing to MANipulation (instead of the Spirit) practices exactly what is at the root of one of the main issues with the approach – it requires the arm of the flesh to manage – and when this occurs, it is an automatic fail – at least where Christians are concerned.

In some senses we have a communal approach to food and the building here. People on their own CHOOSE to bring food for others to take as they wish. They providers are not forced and the takers are not under obligation.

Same with the use of this building. We have a Messianic Christian group who meet here on Saturday. I refuse to take rent from them or ask them for support. It is incumbent upon them to give if they wish. And if they don’t that is fine too.

The building is here anyway.

I say this to show that I am not against giving willingly or abundantly as lead of the Spirit, but to also show the failures of these ideals when they become a MANdate.

Paul admits he has no authority in this matter, and I think some of the things he writes proves this to be true.

So, at this point he says (verse 16)

16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

Paul was grateful that Titus was also moved in the same direction. However Paul adds that he accepted the Exhortation, which to me says that Paul exhorted him and then Titus felt so lead.

In any case, he then moved forward of his own accord in the matter. To me this suggests manipulation – even if the intent was good and Titus acted on his own once being exhorted.

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; (we do not know if this was Luke, Mark, Barnabas or someone else – most think that it was Luke. Whoever it was Paul adds)
19 And not that only, but he 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:
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: (or in order to avoid being blamed for the administration of this)
21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

Verse 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.

Again, this could be yet another from Paul’s traveling group – Silas, Barnabas – we don’t know.

Then Paul summarizes his endorsement of all involved, saying:

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.

And then he repeats to the believers at Corinth

24 Wherefore give proof, show them, before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

This suggests to me that Paul had boasted of the support that was going to come and he was following up on the boasts.

But it doesn’t stop there. We’ve got 15 verses more in chapter 9.

So let’s read the first five verses which explain so much about this push of Paul’s. Ready?

2nd Corinthians 9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

Go back with me to verse 1. Paul has been pushing for them to act on the giving once started by them in Corinth. But he opens up this chapter by saying:

2Co 9:1 ¶ Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the offering for the saints,

It is needless to urge that matter on you, because I know that you acknowledge the obligation to do it, and have already purposed it.

He adds

2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

In other words, I know you were ready to act a year ago and I used your zeal to get the believers at Macedonia to act. And it provoked many there to do so.

Now listen to what he says in verse 3 and 4

3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we be humiliated–to say nothing of you–for being so confident.

I’m sorry folks – but I really distain this and all that appears to be motivating it.
To me Paul is trying to save face among the churches and the way he has boasted of one as a means to get others to act.

And this is a letter trying to make sure that the believers at Macedonia do not feel like they stepped up to the plate (under the auspices that the believers at Corinth had as Paul described) only to see that Corinth never followed through and lived up to the boasting Paul and Titus had done about them.

I mean when he says:

4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

I am reading about a man who cares about his reputation. It’s okay. Paul IS a man. And this is a LETTER he wrote to them/then. But to me it reveals a weakness in the man that ought not be replicated just because it is included in the sacred text.

Now, how we read and interpret the rest of nine is really dependent on your critical nature or your desire to give people the benefit of the doubt.

What we are about to read is used by many Christians to describe how they are to give.

But if we take all that Paul has said in these two chapters, and the means and measures he takes to say it all, the meaning of verses 6-14 are often misread.

What I am saying is IF we are going to use Paul’s point about giving to people in need (again, this is not about tithes, by the way, it is about the believers at Corinth giving to the struggling Saints in Jerusalem) we need to use EVERYTHING Paul says about giving to those in need (starting in verse 1 of chapter 8 and reading all the way through to verse 15 of chapter nine). And if we do that I suggest we START with the fact that all that Paul says he says, without any authority. So just cut chapters 8-9 out or at least read them as applicable to that day and age and time, to him being an apostle, to the conditions surrounding his decision to try and move these people to give, and leave it at that.

That being said, what Paul says here is good, and seems to be in harmony with overall biblical truth – I just think we need to be careful using it out of context.

So verses 6-9 where Paul now says:

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Obviously, this is proverbial and we find the same sentiments in Psalms and many times in proverbs.

I think its true, and Jesus affirms the point. So, we cannot question the premise and its validity. But I think its important to know that if God is involved in giving and that the giving is recognized in the eternities as of Him, the heart must be right in the giving. Which is why Paul adds verse 7 and says:

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.

Thus far verses 6-7 can be used as solid ground for giving. And the combined passages lay out some tremendous insights.

Paul continues though, and says:

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever).

Okay, I am about to show the cynicism in me.

I GET that God provides for all – poor and rich alike. I get that what we give is returned and that God is able to supply for all needs. And I also get that it is through other peoples’ generosity that
The poor are most often taken care of. That givers gain and all of this.

But what I don’t appreciate is the promise, urging, manipulation that comes from other people who say what Paul says here.

I realize this is my issue, but I don’t appreciate it. I feel that the Spirit is a spirit of generosity, and there is no need for one person to step in and use these words to get people to act.

If they do, the purpose is defeated. But who am I? Paul had a reason and he goes for it, saying now at verses 10-14

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the
fruits of your righteousness;

This yet another appeal to a blessing they will receive should they choose to give benevolently to the cause. I believe its true, I don’t believe it needs to be taught or used to motivate people to give. Again, the SPIRIT will do this.

He gives more. (verse 11-14)

11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

Long story short, Paul is telling them that whatever they have been blessed with, it was for this purpose or this type of purpose that they have it; that is good advise. Paul says that their use of it would not only bless the recipients but also God and those who look to Him with thanksgiving.

Again, I think that this is a true principle and that whatever we receive from God we all have the opportunity and right to administer it as led, by the Spirit, and NOT by MAN.

He ends the campaign with

15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Which I will interpret to be His only begotten Son.

And if I am correct in this interpretation, the conclusion is dead on – God did give us His Only Begotten Son, as a gift to the world that did not merit it.

I am grateful for it and in this gratitude try to also give generously as lead… but by the Spirit and not by Men.

May we all seek Him in Spirit and Truth.

Questions and Comments
Prayer

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

10 And in this matter I give my advice: it is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire,
11 so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service; and as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren to go on to you before me, and arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so that it may be ready not as an exaction but as a willing gift.