8:7 ¶ Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and
knowledge, and in all
diligence, and in your love to
us, see that ye abound in this
grace also. 8 I speak not by
commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the
sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your
sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before,
not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out
of that which ye have. 12 For if there
be first a willing mind, it is
accepted according to that a man hath, and
not according to that he hath not. 13
For I mean not that
other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14
But by an equality, that
now at this time your abundance may be
a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there
may be equality: 15 As it is written, He
that had gathered much had
nothing over; and he that had gathered
little had no lack.
Utterance would refer to speaking God’s word boldly without
fear.
Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be
given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of
the gospel,
Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would
open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for
which I am also in bonds:
Paul then asks that as the Corinthians abound in faith, preaching
and teaching and understanding God’s word, their knowledge and their diligence
that they also abound in generosity. Paul is urging, not commanding, the
Corinthians to show their love by their generosity. His argument begins with
how Christ humbled Himself, making Himself poor so that they might be rich.
They are willing and now he is asking them to actually do something. He is only
asking them to give out of their abundance even though other churches have been
generous even in their poverty.
This voluntary redistribution of wealth, not made at the point of the government’s
sword, but out of a willing heart is asked not so that they are made poor but
that other churches may be as they are. It is about churches lifting each other
up, with one church assisting another in giving of their abundance to alleviate
another’s poverty and suffering. The Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, uses
an Old Testament event to make His point here.
Exodus 16:13 ¶ And it came to pass, that at even the quails
came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the
host. 14 And when the dew that lay was
gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. 15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath
given you to eat. 16 This is the thing which the LORD hath
commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every
man, according to the number of
your persons; take ye every man for them
which are in his tents. 17 And the children of Israel did so, and
gathered, some more, some less. 18 And
when they did mete it with an
omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had
no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
A similar sentiment is expressed in the early church at Jerusalem
before persecution scattered many of them. This was appropriated by people like
Karl Marx and misapplied to governmental extortion rather than a willing heart.
Acts 2:45
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto
every man according as he had need.
We know from places like Acts 11 there was suffering among the
churches in Judaea in the past and the Apostles took up collections for them. We
know from Paul’s own confession that he himself had implemented persecution
against Christians when he had been an official sent out to strike at
Christianity. So, there was still ongoing and intense persecution of the Judean
brethren.
Acts 8:3 As for Saul [Paul’s original name], he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling
men and women committed them to
prison.
Acts 22:4 And I persecuted this way unto the death,
binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
1Corinthians 15:9 For I
am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because
I persecuted the church of God.
Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time
past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church
of God, and wasted it:
We also know from this letter in chapter one that Paul was on his
way to Judaea.
2Corinthians 1:16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to
come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward
Judaea.
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