2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:1

VVE do you to wit of the] Or, we deelare or, make known unto you the.

the grace of God bestowed] The bountie of the Macedonians he calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, either from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, eithr as the word is derived from a verbe signifying to rejoyce, because what they bestowed upon the Saints at Jerusalem, they did it most willingly and cheerfully; or as the word is derived from a verbe signifying freely to give, thereby intimating, that that charitie whereby we freely give to others, is a free gift of God to us; donatur nobis, nou tantum quod donamus, sed etiam ut donemus.

2 Corinthians 8:2

in a great triall of affliction] For those manifold afflictions wherewith the Lord tried them, did not onely not slack their joyfull readinesse, but also made it much more excellent and famous, Affiction is as a File, whereby God brightens the graces of the Spirit in his Children.

and their deep povertie] As a dark foyl sets off an orient diamond, so the great affictions of the Churches of Macedonia set off their spiritually joy, and their extream povertie their rich liberalitie.

their liberalitie] The originall 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which though it be sometimes taken for liberaliue, as Romans 12:8. yet properly it signifieth simiplicitie; that which Clemens Alexandrius termeth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, singlenesse of heart; a vertue whereby a man is inclined to do works of mercy and bountie freely and absolutely, without and seeret ends to gain any thing thereby to himself; as he whom the Poet taxed did, munera magua quidemmisit, sed misit in bamo, Et piseatorem piscis amare potest? He who contributeth to the necessity of the poor, simply to relieve them, and in obedience to Gods command, without any other motive or inducement, desrveth that commendation which the Apostle here giveth to the Macedonians of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

2 Corinthians 8:5

not as we boyed] He amplifieth the forwardnesse of the Macedonians in this, that they also desired Paul to stirre up the Corinthians to accomplish the gaving of alms by sending again of Titus unto them: they were not onely free of their owne bounty towards the Saints at Jerusalem, but also excited others to the like bountie; and, as Barnard saith, Major est in amore Dci, qui plres traxerit ad amorem Dei; He more loves God, or is greater in his love, who draws more to his love; so saith the Oratour, That charitie is greater, which not onely relieveth it self the poor, but moveth others also to the like reliefe, and openeth not onely our owne treasures, but the treasures of others to charitable collections.

2 Corinthians 8:8

I speak not by commandment] Though the Apostle might have laid his command upon them in this kinde, sith charitie is a dutie required of every Christian, who is bound to contribute to the necessitie of the Saints, according to his abilitie; yet he rather commendeth this dutie unto them, then commandeth, it, Philem. 8. 9. because the more willing and free our charitable contributions are, the more acceptable to God and man: As the Myrrhe which sweatech out the tree of it own accord, is farre more precious then that which runneth out after the tree is prickt or cut; sudant sponte priusquam incidantur stacten dictam cui nulla praescrtur. Plin. nac. hist.

and to prove] Gr. and proving.

2 Corinthians 8:9

for your sakes the became poor] He who as God was Lord of all, yet for our sakes sustained povertie upon earth, that by his temporall povertie we might be enriched spiritually; by whose example the Corinthians ought to part with some of their temporall goods to supply the poverly of their brethren, that by their prayers they might be inriched spiritually. What should we not willingly bestow upon our poor brethren for christs sake, who not onely bestoweth all graces upon us, but was also himself bestowed for us?

rich] Gr. enriched.

2 Corinthians 8:10

not onely to do] But also to do willingly: for he noteth out a ready willingnesse, without any inforcement by any other men, much lesse came it of ambition or vain glory.

forward] Gr. willing.

2 Corinthians 8:12

it is accepted according to that which a man hath] Bounty is not to be esteemed according to mens wealth and the outward gifts they bestowed, but according to their free heart. The two Mites which the poor widow cast into the treasurie, Luke 21. 3. were more in Gods account, and more to her also, then two talents from some other, who might better spare two talents then she one Mite.

2 Corinthians 8:14

that there may be equalitie] That is, that they and you may be charged alike; they when they are full, to supply your wants; and you when you are full, to supply their wants.

2 Corinthians 8:15

He that had gathered much, &c.) See Exodus 16:18. Though the Children of Israel in the wildernesse, according to Gods command, gathered Manna, some more, some lesse; yet when they did mete it with an Omer, he that gathered much, had nothing over, and he that gathered lesse, had no lack: this history the Apostle elegantly applyeth to the dispensation of Christian bountie and charitie, which ought to be so ordered by the discretion of the Governours of the Church, that they who receive more, may have no overplus, and they that receive lesse, may sustain no want; that as all the Israelites had accordin to their eating, and the number of their family, that which was sufficient; so here by a carefull distribution, with an eye to the severall wants of them that are to be relieved, all may be sufficiently provided for.

2 Corinthians 8:18

whose praise is in the Gospel] That is, either in the Gospel written by him, and (if the words be taken in that sense, as Saint Jerome observeth) he meaneth Saint Luke the Evangelist: or in the Gospel preacher byhim, and then he may mean some other, as Barnabas and Apollo, who were praised in all Churches for their excellent gifts in preaching the Gospell.

2 Corinthians 8:19

grace] Or, gifts.

2 Corinthians 8:21

Providing for honest things] It is not sufficient that we do those things which are in themselves honest and just in the sight of God, but we must so do them, that men may take no just offence at them, or suspect that we have any smister end in doing them: As we must approve our [conscience to God, so we must have an honest care of our reputation among men. See Romans 12:17.

2 Corinthians 8:22

I have in you] Or, he hath.

2 Corinthians 8:23

Whether any do inquire of Titus] He commends those in speciall whom he sends to receive the collection for the Saints, that the Corinthians might not doubt to put into their hands those summes of monery which were given for the relief of the Saints at Jerusalem: and the meaning of the whole verse is this, For Titus, if any inquire of him, that which I can say of him, is, that I so farre trust him that he is my fellow and helper to you-ward; and for the other brethren, if any inquire of them, the testimony I can truly afford them is this, that they are trusted by divers Churches, whose messengers they are; and their life and conversation is such, that they have gained 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉much glory to Christ, and are an honour to the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 8:24

the proof of your love and of an boasting] That is, give this experiment of your love, and make good my boasting of you, that all Churches may be withnesse of your godly dealing, in whose presence you are, for so much as there are with you messngers, whom they have chosen by all their consent, and sent them unto you.