2 Corinthians 8:8-24, The Proof of Genuine Love (Chapters 9-13 will be published at a later date.)

8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 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. 10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Paul is using rhetoric to gently twist the Corinthians’ arms into giving for the collections for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. While these men and woman could leave the land where they were being persecuted, they stayed for the sake of the gospel and because many could not afford to leave. It reminds me of the Christians in Pakistan today, who stay for the sake of the gospel and the impact it will have in a dark nation and because of their poverty, they cannot leave. Can who are rich give in response to the grace we know if Jesus, who by his poverty (his passion) made us rich?

Paul encourages his flock to give out of what they have. They are not to borrow money to give. This reminds me of the story in Mark of the widow’s mite. When Jesus sees her, he says, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

The Corinthians should not suffer so that others can be eased, but that some form of equity is achieved. Brotherly love is a two-way street. It is not just the Christians in Jerusalem receiving from those in Corinth. It is also the Corinthians receiving the gospel message of the Messiah from Jerusalem. Without the Jerusalem church sending forth missionaries, the Corinthians would not know Jesus. Paul quotes Exodus 16:18, the story of manna, to show that God desires equity and will help achieve it.

Reflection:

O God, the father of the forsaken, the help of the weak, the supplier of the needy; you teach us that love towards the race of man is the bond of perfectness and the imitation of your blessed self.

Open and touch our hearts that we may see and do, both for this world and that which is to come, the things that belong to our peace. Strengthen us in the work which we have undertaken; give us wisdom, perseverance, faith and zeal, and in your own time and according to your pleasure prosper the issue; for the love of your Son, Christ Jesus.

Lord Shaftesbury, 1801-1885

16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.

Is Paul being shrewd by staying away and letting his surrogates sort things out with his problematic friends in Corinth? Paul exhibits something that any mentor and overseer needs, and that is trust. Not only does he trust that God is working in Titus, but that Titus is truly working for God. One of the most destabilizing forces in Christian relationships is lack of trust. It communicates to those working under a leader a lack of confidence. Instead, Paul is an encourager of Titus. He is also shrewd to let Titus step into and lead in a difficult situation for Paul where his actual presence might worsen the situation.

Who is this mysterious brother? The top three choices are Timothy, Apollos, and Luke. We, however, cannot be certain. Why are these men the top candidates? According to F. F. Bruce in The Pauline Circle, there was none closer to Paul than Timothy, whose name appears with Paul’s in the superscription of six of his letters. Paul had other companions when he sent these letters, but Timothy’s name is associated with his own because Timothy shared in his ministry. Apollos was part of the large Jewish community in Alexandria, Egypt. He was a man of culture with a mastery of the Hebrew scriptures and a fellow proclaimer of Jesus as Messiah. Luke was the scribe, scholars think, of more of Paul’s letters than anyone else. He also wrote a gospel and Acts of the Apostles, making him the most prolific writer in the New Testament, and an important friend to Paul.

Reflection:

May the God of love who is the source of all our affection for each other formed here on earth take our friendships into his keeping, that they may continue and increase throughout life and beyond it, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

- William Temple, former Archbishop of Canterbury, 1881-1944

20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man. 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

Paul is speaking about the gift he is gathering for the needy Christians in Jerusalem. Apostolic ministry then, as now, including raising funds for those in need. Because Paul will be coming with a team of honorable men with integrity, no one should doubt the gift will be well accounted for. Unlike Judas, who took a cut for himself of the monies collected for Jesus’ ministry, Paul will be above reproach.

Paul reinforces his confidence in Titus. He has a track record of ministry, and he loves the Corinthians as Christ loved them. Paul adds the other brothers into this category of divine love. This brotherhood represents to the Corinthians and other churches the glory of Christ, which is radical transformation brought about by the sacrificial love of Jesus and expressed in there ministerial presence among the churches.

Paul wants the Corinthians’ fruit on display to encourage the other churches. They will encourage these other churches because these men will travel back to these churches and share what they witnessed. Where is your fruit on display to encourage others about Jesus? Is there proof of your love of him?

Reflection:

Almighty God who has sent the Spirit of truth into us to guide us into all truth: so rule our lives by your power that we may be truthful in thought and word and deed. May no fear or hope ever make us false in act or speech; cast out from us whatsoever loves or makes a lie, and bring us all into the perfect freedom of your truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

- Brooke Foss Westcott, 1825-1901

The Gospel of Matthew Begins Tomorrow