Chapter 8
V1 gnorizo translated as ‘we do’ and ‘to wit’ is better translated ‘to make known’. Paul was bringing to the knowledge of the Corinthian ecclesia, the grace of Elohim bestowed upon the churches of Macedonia. These churches would have included Philippi, Thessalonica and Beræa. It is imperative to point out from the outset that chapter 8 has been greatly abused by hucksters who have hijacked the pulpit under the guise of pastors, to give the impression that this chapter and that succeeding, relate to the abundance of money in the ecclesia to give to ministers of the church. Rather the Greek displays without a shadow of a doubt the theme of the ecclesia having an abundance of GRACE, which they sincerely shared with the poor in spirit.
V2 These Macedonians had experienced great trial and tribulation cf 1 Thes 2:14; Acts 17:1-5. Paul expressly states that this tribulation resulted in their ptocheia, Greek for the condition of one destitute of riches and abundance. This is contrary to the false teaching preached by prosperity gospel scammers that the ecclesia was rich and gave away money liberally. The word translated liberality in the Greek is haplotes, which means the virtue of one who is free from pretence and hypocrisy. In essence this verse is saying that the persecuted ecclesia in Macedonia, instead of being crushed spiritually, actually abounded in joy in the knowledge of their sufferings for Messiah, and despite great hardship and poverty brought about by these afflictions, they increased in sincerity and honesty.
V3 -4 In verse 4 the word charis used in verse one is instead of being translated grace, is translated as ‘gift’, which butchers the theme of the narrative. Paul from the outset is majoring on the grace of the ecclesia, increased through their positive reaction and response to persecution unto sincerity and abundance of virtue. He then in these 2 verses expresses his witness of the Macedonian ecclesia praying with much supplication for this grace and also koinonia/fellowship, communion to abound also in the lives of Paul and Titus, for their ministering to the saints to be exceedingly efficacious. No monetary gift is mentioned here, and it is a travesty to interpret these verses along such duplicitous lines. The word ho which is Greek for the English word ‘the’ is strangely translated in the KJV as ‘take upon us the’. Correctly translated v4 should read: Making supplication us with much entreaty, that we receive the grace and the fellowship the ministering to the saints.’
V5 The Macedonian ecclesia went far and beyond the expectations of Paul and Titus, in that they gave themselves up wholly to Yeshua and to them as was the will of Elohim.
V6 Paul hence wished for Titus’ ministry which had proved so fruitful amongst the Macedonians, to be equally beneficial to the Corinthian ecclesia, in increasing the abundance of the grace so bestowed amongst their fellow saints in Macedonia.
V7 Paul exhorted the Corinthians to not only continue abounding in their faith, logos/word, knowledge, earnestness and agape/brotherly love in them, but to also abound in grace to the same degree as their counterparts in Macedonia.
V8 ‘ by occasion of the forwardness of others’ is a rather strange and confusing translation to the Greek ‘did dia ho spoude heteros’, which simply means through the earnestness/diligence of others. Dokimazo translated prove, should be better rendered to approve or to recognise as genuine. Paul did not intend to command the Corinthians to abound in grace, as there was great witness of it amongst their fellow Macedonian saints diligence in this. Rather Paul wanted to recognise the love of the Corinthian ecclesia as genuine and sincere through demonstration of abundance of their grace too.
V9 Although this verse is self-explanatory, it is not relating to material wealth. Yeshua is and always has been rich in resources to give blessings of salvation to all. He chose to become a pauper on earth, having temporarily given up his abundance of majesty on high. This He did, that through this poverty, He would suffer and die, in order for us to be richly blessed in grace which leads unto salvation and eternal life. No amount of earthly material wealth can compare to this great gift of grace bestowed upon us by our Heavenly Father, which would not have been possible, had Yeshua not offered up Himself as the sacrificial lamb, for all of mankind cf Matt 20:28; Jm 2:5.
V10 thelo translated ‘to be forward’ is rather mystic in its meaning. The Greek word actually means ‘to take in delight in’. Paul is hence encouraging the Corinthian ecclesia, who a year prior to this epistle had begun their Christian walk, to not only do the will of Elohim, but to also delight in it. This is what Yeshua was berating the Ephesian church of failing to do in Rev 2:1-5. We must not simply be Christians and obey the laws of Elohim begrudgingly, and simply go through the motions as insurance from burning in hell. No earthly Father would have pleasure in a son who does as he wishes, with a reluctant unhappy attitude. Our heavenly Father equally delights in a saint who serves Him delightfully in genuine praise and worship.
V11 Having been bestowed the grace of Elohim, instead of receiving it in vain, and being poor ambassadors of Messiah, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to walk the walk so to speak. Since they had a prothumia/Greek eagerness to be ambassadors of this grace of Elohim, it was expedient upon them to convert this will into action cf 2 Cor 6:1,3. They were to follow the example of the ecclesia in Macedonia, who had not allowed tribulation to lead them to reneging on their sincerity of spreading the gospel of grace to the lost, as good ambassadors of Messiah. When this letter is read as a whole it begins to sink in quite lucidly, that the true sincere evangelism of the gospel through inevitable trial and tribulation from Satan’s kingdom, is Paul’s theme. A true Christian soldier will war in the heavenlies against all odds with the full backing of Holy Spirit power and gifts, endeavouring to yield good crop in bringing lost souls into the kingdom of Elohim. This should be our desire in life, done with great delight, if we are to truly do the will of Elohim. Just about every commentary I have studied, misses this exceedingly important theme, and erroneously interprets it as a theme of giving money, tithes, alms and worldly possessions. This misconception creates variance within the message of Paul, which is easily displaced when closely studied.
V12 Prothumia/Greek for eagerness, translated as readiness in the previous verse is now translated as a willing mind. The Holy Spirit only operates in a mind that is willing. One may have a heart of understanding, as King Solomon asked for cf 1 Ki 3:9. However, if the mind is not willing to cooperate with Holy Spirit, none of His gifts may operate through such an individual. Solomon displayed this through his mind that wandered towards false gods through his desire for foreign heathen women. The Holy Spirit additionally operates in that willing mind in proportion to one’s level of understanding of the word and his abilities cf Rom 12:6; Eph 4:7.
The grace bestowed upon each of us is manifold and differs from individual to individual, the eagerness of the mind being the limiting factor cf 1 Pet 4:10. What a man lacks does not prevent the Holy Spirit from operating through him. Genuine ignorance of some truths does not hinder Holy Spirit power operating through a zealous saint. Nobody has the full truth, of which we shall only be privy to in the afterlife. Satan’s kingdom works tirelessly to veil truth. There is a famous deliverance minister who performed mighty works of the Holy Spirit worldwide from the 1960s to soon after the turn of the millennium when he passed on.
It baffled me how he had such a successful ministry, yet vehemently taught that Torah was done away with. He even claimed to cast out demons of Sabbath keeping, and those that disallow the eating of pork! I personally believe that he genuinely served Elohim with a willing mind, and the Holy Spirit operated through him for the greater good of the imprisoned that needed healing and deliverance. His lack of understanding of Torah and the new covenant did not hinder Elohim’s counsel, whose mind we cannot know cf Rom 11:33-36.
V13 anesis is Greek for relaxed and thlipsis for pressured, afflicted. Paul was not advocating the Corinthians to be unfairly afflicted, whilst other congregations elsewhere be relaxed and free of persecution for having the gospel of grace.
V14 Rather Paul preferred for the Corinthians to exercise their abundance of grace to its greatest capacity, for the benefit of those who had less proportion of it in one sphere. Conversely, he expected those congregations elsewhere, with the degree of grace that the Corinthians were lacking, to also share their revelation with them, in order for the whole body of Messiah to profit. There is absolutely no connotation of financial abundance alluded to here as preached by avaricious saboteurs of the gospel. Some congregations major on healing, others on deliverance, yet others on evangelism. Ideally, we should major on all spheres of Christianity. However, due to varying degrees of enlightenment within the body of Messiah, we differ in degrees of operation of the Holy Spirit. We increase along the turbulent Christian walk, through experience, patience, perseverance and a willingness of the mind cf 2 Pet 1:2-10; Rom 5:1-5.
V15 Paul cleverly quotes Ex 16:18 to drive his point home of differing levels of grace within the body of Messiah, which do not deny any member usefulness in the spiritual battle at all. Grace is undeniably being referred to here not money. Varying degrees of glory abound within the body of Messiah as the grace of the Holy Spirit works through the willing mind cf 2 Cor 3:17-18; Lk 22:35.
V16 This verse totally crucifies any notion that this chapter is in reference of giving alms, tithes and possessions to the ministers of churches. Titus is given as an example of the giving of his abundant knowledge in grace to the Ecclesia. He was never in scripture referred to as a wealthy man, capable of enriching a whole congregation single-handedly. It is his spoude/diligence translated earnest care to the ecclesia referred to here instead. Note that the heart devoid of Holy Spirit presence, is wicked beyond measure. Diligence towards the welfare of others, is an attribute that can only be placed into the heart by Elohim Himself, through His Holy Spirit. All good emanates from Elohim, whom we should forever praise Jm 1:17.
V17 Emphasis is placed here and must not be missed. A worthy and righteous saint:
a. Accepts with a willing mind the invitation from Messiah
b. Exhibits diligence
c. Voluntarily jumps into action
These 3 attributes are wholly determined by our willing and active participation, if the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be manifested in our lives. It is pointless to know the word of Elohim, yet not actively and voluntarily do what it exhorts. An idle, knowledgeable Christian is in grave danger of damnation cf Matt 25:29-30; 7:26-27.
V18-19 It is impossible to determine who the other brother in Messiah, sent with Titus was, as there is no further mention in scripture, hence I shall not speculate at all. Regardless, he was clearly a powerful warrior of Messiah, with a great reputation throughout all the congregations. He worked closely with Paul, having been specifically chosen by the congregations to travel with him to spread this gospel message of grace to the masses, as good ambassadors of Messiah. Again, I reiterate that the theme is grace not collection of money. This ministry of reconciliation was to be preached by these saints not only for the glory of Yehovah but to glorify the eagerness of the saints in Corinth too.
V20-21 This abundance of grace being provided to the ecclesia seems to be in reference to Titus and the unnamed brother, who were to be sent to the ecclesia in Corinth. They were being administered by Paul, and they had a good, clean virtuous record with Elohim and with man, full of grace and love of the ecclesia. Hence why Paul could boldly make this statement. What great joy a pastor, minister or preacher must have, if he can confidently send out his deacons and fellow helpers on outreach programs, with such great confidence in his team.
V22 Yet an extra unnamed brother in Messiah was being sent to the Corinthians, who had a proven track record of diligence and sincerity, which diligence on hearing the positive change in the Corinthian ecclesia, had increased even more.
V23 Paul then defines the specific roles of the men being sent to the ecclesia. Titus is identified as a koinonos/an associate i.e. same level of leadership as Paul in the body. The two brothers are identified as apostolos/delegates, sent ones to the ecclesia, the glory of Messiah. An apostle is hence given further definition in this verse as the glory of Messiah, which holds significant importance. Many self-titled apostles of today, are a far cry from the glory of Messiah, living lives of riches, corruption and scandal quite contrary to the life of Messiah, heaping coals upon themselves through insulting such a post.
V24 The chapter closes by a plea from Paul for the Corinthians to live up to their newly found reputation of love, sincerity and virtue towards the delegates being sent to them, in order for his glorying in them to not be found wanting.