2 Corinthians
Chapter 8
The collection for Jerusalem
Now, I want to tell you about a gift of divine grace among the Churches of Macedonia.
Despite being so afflicted and persecuted, their joy overflowed, and their extreme poverty turned into a wealth of generosity.
According to their means—even beyond what they could afford—they eagerly wanted to help the saints.
They asked us for this favor spontaneously and with much insistence
and, far beyond anything we expected, they placed themselves at the disposal of the Lord and of us by the will of God.
Accordingly, I urged Titus to complete, among you, this work of grace since he began it with you.
You excel in everything: in the gifts of faith, speech, and knowledge; you care about every cause, and besides, you are first in my heart. Also excel in this generous service.
This is not a command; I inform you of others’ intention to test the genuineness of your love for others.
The Example of Christ, Who Was Poor
You know well the generosity of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Although he was rich, he made himself poor to make you rich through his poverty.
I am only suggesting because you were the first, not just in cooperating but also in starting this project a year ago.
Complete this work and, within your means, carry out your decision with great enthusiasm.
When there is a good disposition, everything you give is welcomed, and no one longs for what you do not have.
I do not mean that others should be at ease while you are burdened. Strive for equality;
at present, give from your abundance what they lack, and in some way, they will also give from their abundance that there may be equality.
As it is written: To the one who had much, nothing was in excess; to the one who had little, nothing was lacking.
Blessed be God for inspiring Titus with such care for you!
He not only listened to my appeal, but he also took the initiative to go and see you.
I am sending with him the brother who has gained the esteem of the churches in the work of the gospel;
moreover, they appointed him to travel with us in this blessed work we are carrying out for the glory of the Lord, but also because of our personal enthusiasm.
We chose this to prevent anyone from suspecting us of the generous fund we are managing.
Let’s ensure that everyone appears clean, not only before God but also before people.
We also send with them another brother who, on several occasions, has shown us his zeal and is now more enthusiastic because of his confidence in you.
You, then, have Titus, our companion and minister, to serve you, and with him, you have our brothers—representatives of the churches—and a glory to Christ.
Show them how you love and prove before the churches all the good things I said to them about you.
Commentaries
The Collection for Jerusalem.
‘Collection,’ in our language today, does not go beyond a one-time, sporadic almsgiving that does not necessarily imply solidarity with the poor, so closely linked to the Gospel of Christ. Therefore, the word ‘collection’ does not fully convey the whole meaning of this service to the poor that Paul is going to talk about, which is part of the message of the letter. The Apostle begins by calling this service to the poor ‘grace.’ Being able to give, and to give generously, is ‘God’s grace.’
God is the great ‘giver,’ who provides men and women with the example of giving and what to give (cf. Ps 136:25; 145:16). Given the community’s already recognized and demonstrated qualities—faith, eloquence, knowledge, fervor—why not also make clear and compelling the most important quality, which they certainly have: the abundance of their generosity?
The Example of Christ, Who Was Poor.
Paul continues with a series of arguments that form the foundation of all service to the poor, or the ‘option for the poor,’ as we would say today. The first is the example of Christ, whose generosity establishes and gives meaning to Christian charity and solidarity. Later, from another perspective, the Apostle emphasizes the same point: achieving equality and eradicating poverty. In the Acts of the Apostles, it is noted that there were no destitutes among them (Acts 4:34). Is Paul proposing the same ‘utopia’? Without a doubt. It is a Christian utopia being realized through concrete actions, such as the Corinthians’ financial contributions.