2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:1

OF the grace,] namely the excellent gift, of charity which God hath put in the heart of those Churches.

2 Corinthians 8:2

How tht,] amidst great miseries, being as full of cheerfull and willing charitie, as they were extreame poore in wealh, they have largely contributed to the collections for the beleevers of Iudea Liberalitie,] the Greeke simplicitie, for liberalitie ought to be a pure & simple motion of doing good, without being corrupted by ones proper interests and hope of recompence, intent of making any one beholding, and without any reproaching. See Romans 12:8. Iam. 1. 5.

2 Corinthians 8:4

The gift,] namely their liberalitie, which for their part together with other Churches, they do contribute for the reliefe of the foresaid breth〈…〉

2 Corinthians 8:5

Not as we,] the Italian, Not only as w,] namely giving somewhat according to their possibility But first,] before they gave their goods, they offered their hearts, and persons to God, and to 〈◊〉 his Apostles, which is the very fountaine of charitie See Isaiah 58:10. 1 Corinthians 13:3.

2 Corinthians 8:6

Insomuch that,] being moved by the happie successe of this gathering which was made amongst the Macedonians we thought that you who are richer and mightier would doe no lesse As he had,] it appeares that Titus in his first voyage, had the charge to see these gatherings begun, 1 Corinthians 16:1. and that after hee was retured to the Apostle and had made his relation unto him, he was sent back againe to finish them The same grace,] namely the collection of these almes, and g〈…〉s.

2 Corinthians 8:7

In faith.] this may be understood of 〈◊〉 common faith of those who beleeve in God, and in his truth and grace, or of the faith of working of miracles, Romans 12:3. 1 Corinthians 12:9 In all,] Namely in holy zeale and fervencie, and in all other parts of the duty of Christians.

2 Corinthians 8:8

By occasion,] rather than absolutely to command you your duty in this, I have chosen to make use of the Macedonians example to induce you to give a reall proofe of your true charitie towards the members of Christ, in acknowledgement of the benefits, receaved from him who is the head

2 Corinthians 8:9

Rich,] in the possession of a perfect happinesse and glory in his divine nature He became,] he hath taken upon him our nature with all the miseries, wants, and obligements, Philip. 2. 7. for o gaine for you the treasures of Gods grace, righteousnesse, and eternall life.

2 Corinthians 8:10

I give,] was concerning a thing which is not only of duty, but also for your profit, by reason of the large reward which is promised to charitie To bee forward,] the Italian, To will,]namely the constant will to continue in doing these almes, being once begun, as it appeares by 2 Corinthians 9:2. for it is likely that they were gathered by little and little, untill the sum grew to bee such that is was worthy to be carried to those Churches which were i〈◊〉 See 1 Corinthians 16:2.

2 Corinthians 8:11

Which you,] according to your power.

2 Corinthians 8:12

To that a man,] the meaning is. The quantitie of the gift is not that which maketh the giver acceptable, but the good will accompanied with the effect, according to the means and abilitie. See Luke 21:2-3.

2 Corinthians 8:13

For I,] in this contribution, the ineat is not to impoveish the one, to enrich the other; but onely to make a just temperature and communication amongst beleevers: those that doe〈◊〉 gi〈…〉 to them that are in necessitie at the same time: 〈◊〉 at another time the like may be done to them.

2 Corinthians 8:16

The same earnest care,] as I have used in this businesse.

2 Corinthians 8:17

The exhortation,] whereof ver. 6.

2 Corinthians 8:18

The brother,] namely Saint Luke as it appees by the end of this Epistle In the Gospell,] namely in the gift and office of preaching it: unlesse hee also meane the Gospell which was written by Saint Luke.

2 Corinthians 8:19

To travell,] namely to Ierusalem, to carry those almes which were gathered for the beleevers of Iudea Declaraion,] by delivering of it to them for whom you had gathered it.

2 Corinthians 8:20

Should blame us,] should have occasion to suspect any disloyaltie in me, if I alone should have the managing of the businesse.

2 Corinthians 8:22

With them,] namely with Titus and with the forenamed brother Our brother,] who was a third man Which I have,] namely that you will be willing to be bountifull in your almes, & not shame those who gather them nor frustrate their hopes through scarcitie.

2 Corinthians 8:23

Messengers,] the Italian Apostles,] that is to say, more generall Pastors of some Country as the Evangelists were. See Romans 16:7. Others sent, or deputed by the Churches for this commission The 〈◊〉,] namely such in pietie, holinesse, and other gi〈…〉 of Gods Spirit: that Christ whom they represent as his servants is glorified thereby.