Living Generously Series

Since the apostle’s relationship with his beloved brothers/brethren at Corinth had been restored (7:5–16), he could now discuss with them the issue of giving. He began by calling their attention to the grace of God that has been given among/in the churches of Macedonia, whom he would use as an example of giving.

The Corinthians were apparently unaware of the magnitude of the Macedonians’ generosity, prompting Paul to want them to know. The Macedonians giving was not motivated primarily by philanthropy or human kindness, but by the grace of God at work in their hearts. The grace of God is manifested (1) in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ (8:9), whom Paul also thinks of as God’s “gift” (dōrea—9:15; cf. Rom 5:15, 17), and (2) in the hearing of that word from God which reconciles men and women to God. God’s invisible “grace” (charis), however, is also made visible and concrete in the “grace” God gives to members of churches, specifically their “faith,” “utterance,” “knowledge,” and “love” (v. 7). The “grace” that has been given to the Macedonian churches, and that Paul seeks in the church in Corinth, is sacrificial, freely given, generosity. (6:1; cf. 5:20; see also 4:15) The verb “given” is significant: (1) the passive voice (divine passive) indicates that God is the giver, and (2) the perfect tense is suggestive of a gift that, although given at a point in the past, continues to be given (Barnett, P. (1997). The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (391). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.).

By making God the implied agent for the giving of grace, Paul skillfully avoids arousing intense competition between the churches in Macedonia and in Corinth. Yet he stirs them to action (Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 19: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. New Testament Commentary (272). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).

Human nature motivates people to hoard wealth. The common excuse for accumulating great amounts of money is to make one’s future entirely secure (see Luke 12:18–21). Only when Christians completely trust God for all their needs, as they should (see Matthew 6:28–34), can they begin to freely give out of what God has given them (see Matthew 10:8). Not only are material possessions gifts from God, but also the willingness to give is a gift from God. God’s grace--his undeserved favor—motivates us to give our time, money, and talents more generously to others (Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). 1 & 2 Corinthians. Life application Bible commentary (388). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.).

Paul indicated that this was the grace of God that was given. Their giving was voluntary. They did not wait for any application to this effect from the Apostle; they were willing of their own mind to embrace the opportunity afforded them of fulfilling a duty ..with the best feelings of their hearts (Simeon, C. (1832-63). Horae Homileticae Vol. 16: 1 and 2 Corinthians (571). London.)