Chapter VIII.
(Vers. 1, 2.)
(Vers. 1, 2.) However, we make known to you, brothers, the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in much testing of affliction, the abundance of their joy overflows. For the Macedonians have received the word of faith with devoted hearts, therefore they say that grace has been given to them from God; so that in the tribulation of Paul and Silas, which I mentioned above (Chapter 7, verse 5), they would not suffer a stumbling block: but with rejoicing of the mind, they would receive, with confident hope, the promises, in order to demonstrate themselves approved through these sufferings. And the deep poverty of those people abounded in the riches of their simplicity. Their vow declares that, although they had little material wealth, their souls were found rich in the service of the saints. For they worked with pure conscience, not to please men, but to please God.
(Vers. 3.)
(Verse 3.) Because I bear witness to them that they were willingly beyond their abilities. As much as was fitting and pleasing to God, who knew their strengths, they had given in their resources for the ministry. And because they had devoted themselves to God with their whole heart, they wanted to offer more than their capabilities allowed.
(Vers. 4.)
(Verse 4.) With many prayers, they were received into favor and communion of the ministry, which is done in the saints. He proclaims that they offered their ministry so simply and devoutly, beyond their abilities, that they offered it with tears, praying that they would be compelled to receive from them what seemed not to be receivable, because it was more than their substance could bear, lest afterwards the poverty of good works should cause them to regret. But because they showed themselves such, that they, with a pure intention, now postponed present things, in order to confirm themselves in the promises of the future with confidence of faith, it was deemed fit to accept from them; lest, by the grace of a good heart, it might cast away the fruit.
(Vers. 5.)
(Verse 5.) And not as we had hoped; rather, they first gave themselves to God, then to us through the will of God. Therefore, he says, they should have been received from us; because, having first corrected their previous errors and vices of life and character, they devoted themselves to God beyond what was expected. For it seemed that they were simply doing this, so that the one to whom it was offered would not be afraid to accept; because they were not offering it with the intention of exposing the faults of their superiors, nor of accusing them; for gifts blind the eyes and bend the power of authority. Therefore, Dante dedicated himself to God while correcting his vices. Then, he should have saddened the brothers when they offered expenses, who wanted to be perfect just before they began. Therefore, following their example, he invites the Corinthians to complete with diligent mind what they had started, strengthened by this exhortation.
(Vers. 6.)
(Verse 6.) So that we might request Titus, that just as he began, he might also complete this grace in you. Because he knew Titus' affection was sincere towards you, and that he would obey him; therefore, he indicates that he can more easily exhort them also to this work through Titus himself, so that just as he had success in his exhortation in other matters, he would also have it in this grace, in order to make them ready for the ministry of the saints: so that because they were already correcting their vices, they might also have the fruit of this generosity. For those who give to this, lest they be accused, they will have no benefit from this thing.
(Vers. 7.)
(Verse 7) But as you abound in faith, and in speech, and in knowledge, and in all diligence, and in that which is of us and of you, in charity, so you may abound in this grace also. He exhorts them to boast about these things among the other churches. For this is the proof of their improvement, if they are ready for the ministry of the saints.
(Vers. 8.)
(Verse 8.) I am not commanding, but because of others' concern, and to prove the sincerity of your love. It is evident that it is not a command, but an exhortation; so that those who are enduring hardships may receive assistance, and their burdens may be relieved, demonstrating their goodwill to God and to people. Undoubtedly, they will receive a reward for this.
(Vers. 9.)
(Verse 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 you by his poverty might become rich. He is said to have become poor as Christ, because God deigned to be born as a man, humbling the power of his divinity, so that he might acquire for mankind the riches of divinity; as the Apostle Peter says, that we might be partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Therefore, he became man, so that he might unite man to God, as it is written, 'I said, 'You are gods'' (Psalm 82:6). In this way, they are encouraged to become poor by giving generously; may their poverty benefit them, just as the poverty of Christ benefited us. And indeed, Christ became poor for our sake, but we in order to benefit.
(Vers. 10, 11.)
(verses 10, 11.) And I give you this advice; for it is beneficial for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to desire, since last year: now therefore also complete the doing; so that just as your will is ready to desire, it may also be ready to be fulfilled from what you have. This I say, so that their will may be revealed in the work, if it is genuine, according to their abilities; so that they may give as much as they are able and willing in their hearts, in order to have a clear conscience: not in pretense, to please people, and not to have a reward from God.
(Vers. 12.)
(Verse 12.) For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. For the Corinthians are being challenged to fulfill this ministry, so they are instructed to give only as much as they can, so that they will not appear burdened by giving more than they can afford, but rather to give willingly. For the one who gives under compulsion does not receive a reward. For the churches in Macedonia voluntarily offered prayers and requested to be able to give beyond their ability, and thus it was received with approval. For as much as they offer, they shall receive in like measure. For if someone gives only as much as they want or can, it is considered accepted; for it seems to be the result of deliberation: and thus one should give only as much as their mind is able and willing; so that they may receive compensation for this act.
(Vers. 13, 14.)
(Verse 13, 14.) For it is not so that there may be relief for others, but distress for you. It is true that it is given in such a way as to not provide abundance to the givers. But at this time, equality should prevail. He says this so that he may divide what he has with the holy ones according to their needs; for no more is demanded than what one should retain for oneself. For it is said, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Leviticus 19:18). Hence, Zacchaeus said, 'Look, I give half of my goods to the poor' (Luke 19:8).
Let your abundance be for their need, and their abundance be for your need. This is what he says, that because they suffer want according to the time of the holy ones, abandoning all worldly things and dedicating themselves to divine works, in order to devote themselves to the instruction and prayer for the benefit of many; let those who believe and who engage in arts or business, or certainly have paternal resources, minister to the needs of the holy ones. And again, let the holy ones, where the rich are, and these are in need, share with them, as if repaying them the service of their ministry, as the Lord says: 'As long as you did it to one of these least, you did it to me' (Matthew 25:40).
So that equality may be achieved, as it is written. This is equality, that those who serve the saints in this time, may be given their turn in the future; for they make the saints indebted to them.
(Vers. 15.)
(Verse 15.) He who had much did not abound, and he who had little did not diminish. This is read in Exodus (Exod. XVI, 18). For the holy ones have more in hope of the future age, and more than those who in this time appear wealthy; and yet they will be equal there; so that just as the poverty of these holy ones is sustained by the benefice, so too these wealthy ones will become holy in the future age, in which they appear poor. For they did not fully devote themselves to God, so that they would be poor here and wealthy there; but on this side, because they are wealthy here, they will be poor there, by the prayer of the holy ones who are placed here, they will be enriched in mind there. For it is not any kind of deserving to serve the holy with righteous labors.
(Vers. 16, 17.)
(Verse 16, 17.) But thanks be to God, who has put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. This is, seeing them making progress in good deeds, he became more concerned about their emotions; so that he went voluntarily to them, who previously had even excused themselves from them because of their vices.
(Vers. 18, 19.)
(Vers. 18, 19.) But we sent with him our brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; Not only that, but he was also chosen by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us to the glory of the Lord and to show our eagerness. They commend him, because he was unknown to them, so that they may know the high regard in which they were held by such men they were being sent to; and to rejoice with them, increasing them in the faith of the work of God, to the glory of whose work the vicar of Christ was zealously engaged, so that the Creator God of heaven and earth may be acknowledged in them.
(Vers. 20.)
(Verse 20.) Avoiding this, lest anyone should criticize us in this abundance, which is administered by us. Since it was about ministry, therefore, he added this; lest he be judged as negligent in caring for the poor or the saints if he were to do this with less effort. For the apostles had decided among themselves about this matter, so that they would be mindful of the poor, as it signifies to the Galatians. Therefore, since the Apostle was blameless in all things (Gal. 2:10); lest he be considered negligent in this matter; therefore, he signifies that he is forewarning them, so that with this work completed, his concern and providence would be evident in all things.
(Vers. 21.)
(Verse 21.) For we provide good things not only before God, but also before men. We provide good things before God, when He teaches us to do what He commands regarding the ministry of the saints or the poor: but we provide good things before men; because He sends those to this work for exhortation, who do not cause scandal to them by their probity, but provoke them, so that the good doctrine of the Apostles does not fall into reproach through imprudent ministers.
(Vers. 22, 23.)
(Verse 22, 23) However, we sent along with them our brother, whom we have tested in many situations and found to be often anxious, but now even more so because of his great trust in you, whether through Titus, who is my partner and a helper to you, or through our fellow apostles, the glory of the churches of Christ. He calls Titus his partner because he himself was also a bishop, to whom he gave a trusted servant in all the churches of his province. He also adds Tertius, a brother who has been proven in many good works and is anxious. But in relation to the report of Titus, who brings good news about the goodwill of the Corinthians and the other messengers whom he calls apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ, he showed himself to be more concerned to see them and to encourage them in the ministry of the saints. For he received confidence when he heard that the Corinthians had become better. Therefore, he was eager to go to them, certain that they would be obedient in doing good works.
(Vers. 24.)
(Verse 24.) Therefore, show the display of your charity and our rejoicing for you to the churches themselves. He reminds them to show their love in those whom he sends, so that they may prove the good things they have heard about them to be true. For in this way they would show that they had made progress in following the Apostle's advice if they received those sent by him with honor, so that the other churches would acknowledge that the good things they had heard about them were true. It therefore stimulates their spirits, because when one feels good about something, they usually present themselves as better.