Chapter 8                    

2 Corinthians: Chapters -1- -2- -3- -4- -5- -6- -7- -8- -9- -10- -11- -12- -13- 
  8:1 Now, we made known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God that is given inside of the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in much proving of pressure, within and without, the abundance of their joy abounded exceedingly into the riches of their simplicity and generosity, even according to their deep poverty. 3 For, I testify that according to their power and strength and beyond their strength, they appointed themselves, with much encouragement and comfort, 4 imploring of us for the grace and the fellowship of this service into the devoted ones. 5 And even more than we had hoped, they gave themselves, first to the Lord and then to us, through the desire of God. 6 We encouraged and comforted Titus, that, as he had begun, so also he might complete this grace into you as well. 7 Just as you abound inside of all, in faith and speech, in knowledge and all diligence and enthusiasm, and the love from us now inside of you, that you should abound to overflowing inside this grace as well.

• 8 I do not speak as a directive, but through the diligence and enthusiasm of others, you also might prove the genuineness of your love. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that being wealthy, He became poor for your sake, so that you through that poverty might be made wealthy.

10 In this matter, I do give a judgment, indeed, this is profitable for you who not only act, but also desire, having begun a year ago. 11 Now then, complete that doing; so that just as there was an eagerness of desire, so also there would be an accomplishment out from what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is present, what you actually have is acceptable, not what you do not have.

13 This is not so that others may be in ease and indulgence, leaving only pressure for you, • 14 but rather of equality. In the present time your abundance will be for those who need, so that also their abundance may be towards your need, so that there might be equality. 15 As it is written: “He that gathered much did not have too much, and he that gathered little had no lack” (Exodus 16:18) [h].

16 But thanks and grace be to God, the One giving the same diligence and enthusiasm for you inside the heart of Titus. 17 For indeed, he accepted our encouragement, being, however, very earnest, he has gone of his own choosing towards you. 18 We have also sent with him the brother whose praise is found inside of the gospel through all the churches; 19 not only now, but also who was chosen by the churches as our fellow traveler, with this grace that is being administered by us toward the Lord of glory Himself and our eager willingness, 20 avoiding this, that anyone should find fault with us in the abundance and lavish generosity being administered by us. 21 We are taking thought beforehand for what is beautiful and good, not only in the presence of the Lord, but also, in the face of men.

22 We sent with them now, our brother, whom we have proven inside many things to be often eager and enthusiastic, yet now, much more, his eager and enthusiastic confidence is directed into you. 23 Whether as regards Titus, my fellow partner and to you a fellow worker; or our brothers the sent ones, apostles of the churches, in the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore, let the demonstration of your love and of our boasting about you, show forth to them in the midst of the churches (i).
 		  
 
Gospel Word Notes
Ruling Verse 5: “For the sake of” includes surrendering all in trade for the benefit of another. In giving Himself to us, Jesus withholds nothing, for He has given us all, making us rich. Yet Jesus does not count Himself poor, for receiving us in all that we are is His deepest desire (see John 17:24).

• Ruling Verse 8: Jesus is made complete as Christians love each other with the same Love by which He loves each of us. Jesus meets our need by giving His Abundance fully to us. We meet His need in return by giving that same unending Abundance to one another as His completion inside His Body, His form inside of creation. Our life together as Communities of Christ is a flow of Life and Love, with no shadow in it, a reciprocity of abundance and need.		 h. Referring to the experience of the children of Israel under Moses as they gathered the manna on the ground each morning.

i. Paul’s words are often quite confusing. A clear translation is only a guess. The point is that it’s important for the reader to know that sometimes Paul just doesn’t make sense.