Chapter 8–9

These two chapters are about the collection for the poor in Jerusalem.

According to the agreement in Gal 2:10 - Both “missionary teams”, the one preaching the Gospel to the Jews (Peter and James), and the one preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles (Paul and Barnabas) had to remember the poor. In fulfillment of this commitment Paul organized the collection for the poor brothers and sisters living in Jerusalem (probably in relation with a famine that hit Palestine - see Acts 11:28 - Emperor Claudius 41 - 54 C.E., 2nd letter of Paul to Corinthian is set for around 55 C.E., while the first letter to Corinthians is set for September 54 C.E. - Paul already there speaks about the collection (1 Cor 16:1–4).

The two chapters can be divided as follow:

  1. 8:1–5 - Paul speaks about the Macedonians (Philippi and Thessalonica) and their extreme generosity for the poor;
  2. 8:6–15 - The instruction for the Corinthians how to organize the collection;
  3. 8:16–9:5 - Paul speaks about those who will come ahead of him to organize properly the collection (Titus and another brother among them);
  4. 9:6–15 - Paul speaks about the fruits of the collection
    4.1. 9:7–10 - God will return their generosity with blessings;
    4.2. 9:11–12 - those who experience their generosity will be grateful and pray for them;
    4.3. 9:13–14 - those who are responsible for collecting and bringing the collection to the poor will also praise God for the generosity of the Corinthians and will pray for them.

Paul has established here a kind of spiritual equation: generous financial support on one hand and spiritual blessing on the other hand (See also 1 Cor 9:11). The rich provide financial support and the poor in return offer spiritual support. Both are needed and both are the gifts of God.

8:1–5

Interestingly, Paul sees an opportunity to help the poor as the grace of God: thus helping others is a grace of God - so no reason to get credit for it - (brilliant idea).

The generosity of the Macedonias surprised Paul - he is full of praises.

Collection is called - the ministry (diakonia) to the saint (brethren in Jerusalem).

Some think that writing in this way Paul wants to motivate the Corinthians to great generosity. Was their ‘financial’ situation better than that of the brethren in Macedonia?

Behind the action of the Macedonias Paul sees the will of God.

Thus, we have here a beautiful idea. God wills to help the poor in Jerusalem and for this purpose He gives the grace (of generosity) to them.

8:6–9

Now, Paul motivates the Corinthians to action. Titus is going to be in charge - here the ‘collection’ is called “this grace”.

The list of thing that abound in still lacks that act of generosity - a proof of love.

Paul urges (this is not a commandment) Corinthians to ‘imitate’ Christ (Phil 2:5–12).

“For your sake he became poor” - so for the sake of the brethren in Jerusalem, they can also sacrifice something.

8:10–15

It seems that the Corinthians had already begun collecting the money (see 1 Cor 16:1–4). Now, it is the time to complete.

Note: the process:

  1. Paul talks about those poor in Jerusalem that needs help;
  2. Paul’s talk moves them - there is a desire in their hearts to help;
  3. They begin to collect money - every Sunday;
  4. Now, they need to complete it;
  5. Some brothers will come to oversee its completion;
  6. The representatives of the community will deliver the collection to the saints in Jerusalem.

Another point: Paul uses Ex 16:18 to present the collection as a distribution of goods according to one’s needs - not equal, but according to one’s needs.

Second point: the exchange of goods - financial (the Corinthians) and spiritual (Jerusalem - the Gospel came from there) (8:14).

8:16–24

Titus’s good feelings toward Corinthians is seen as coming from God - God put the care for them in the hearts of Titus;

Who was this brother “praised” in all the churches is not clear. Apparently, he was chosen by “all the Churches” for this task of collecting the help for the poor.

One more brother is sent - from the close associates of Paul.

So, we have three brothers (see Deut 19:15).

Paul explains the reasons behind such arrangements in 8:20 - to avoid any suspicion of misappropriation such huge funds. For this reason the quote from Prov 3:4.

Finally, Paul requests that the community will receive those three brothers well: after all (1) Titus is Paul’s partner and fellow-worker, and (2) the two brothers are “apostles of the Churches” - here the term apostle is often translated as “messenger or sent by”. They represent the Churches.

9:1–5

Apparently, Paul still had so doubts regarding either the entire collection of the generosity of the Corinthians. Although, they started the preparations a year ahead (1 Cor 16:1–4) and Paul used this fact to motivate other churches to do the same - competition in doing good? - yet, he still worried that something might go wrong.

Paul’s argument for sending the brothers ahead of him and the representatives from the churches in Macedonia is to give the Corinthians time to complete the collection. Thus, it is also about losing or saving ‘face’ - both the Corinthians and Paul’s.

9:6–16

Paul is afraid one thing: they will gather too little in comparison with those in Macedonia. In order to motivate them towards generosity, Paul presents few arguments:

  1. As you give, so you get (9:6);
  2. God loves cheerful giver (9:7 - see Prov 22:8 LXX);
  3. God will provide form them abundantly (9:8–10);
  4. Blessed by God for their generosity, they will thank God for His generosity (9:11);
  5. The collection helps the poor, and the poor in return thank God for those who helped them (9:12);
  6. Those who are in charge of the collection will praise God seeing such great fruits of their work (9:13)
  7. The collection is also a sign of unity between the churches (9:13);
  8. There will be an intercessory prayer for them (the Corinthians) (9:14).

It is interesting to meet such arguments. A simple collection for the poor in the eyes of Paul is not so simple, but behind it is the work of God’s grace. Yet, in order for this grace to abound, Paul’s motivation and openness of heart on the part of the Corinthians are needed.

Note, that the primary aim of the collection is actually to help the poor, but that the thanksgiving prayer directed to God for His grace and mercy seen in the generosity of the givers.

The theme of thanksgiving to God is also seen in Col 3:17; Eph 5:20; 2 Cor 1:11; 4:15.

Paul ends this part with a short prayer of thanksgiving.

Note

9:10 speaks about “increasing the fruits of righteousness”. Righteousness is the gift of God (Rom 3:24). God makes us righteous through our participation in the Cross of Christ - baptism. But, our faith now should bring fruits of righteousness - like in this case - namely, the acts of mercy.

The Greek word translated as “service” in 9:12 is “leiturgias” - from which we derive “liturgy”. It is beautiful idea: helping the poor brethren is a liturgical act.

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