2 Corinthians 8:2
In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.
In the terrible ordeal they suffered
This phrase highlights the severe trials faced by the Macedonian churches. The Greek word for "ordeal" (δοκιμή, dokimē) implies a testing or proving of character. Historically, the Macedonian region was known for its economic hardships and persecution, especially under Roman rule. Despite these challenges, the believers' faith was tested and proven genuine, serving as a testament to their steadfastness in Christ. This context reminds us that trials can refine and strengthen our faith, producing perseverance and character.

their abundant joy
The juxtaposition of "abundant joy" with "terrible ordeal" is striking. The Greek word for "joy" (χαρά, chara) suggests a deep, spiritual joy that transcends circumstances. This joy is rooted in their relationship with Christ and the hope of the Gospel. Historically, joy in suffering is a recurring theme in the New Testament, reflecting the early Christians' understanding that their ultimate hope and treasure were in heaven, not in earthly circumstances. This joy is a fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in believers' lives.

and deep poverty
The phrase "deep poverty" underscores the extreme financial hardship faced by the Macedonian believers. The Greek word for "poverty" (πτωχεία, ptōcheia) indicates a state of destitution. Despite their lack of material wealth, their spiritual richness was evident. This reflects the biblical principle that true wealth is not measured by material possessions but by spiritual abundance. Historically, the early church often consisted of the poor and marginalized, yet their faith and generosity were profound, challenging modern believers to reconsider the true source of wealth and security.

overflowed into rich generosity
The imagery of "overflowed" suggests an abundance that cannot be contained. The Greek word for "overflowed" (περισσεύω, perisseuō) conveys the idea of exceeding expectations. Despite their poverty, the Macedonians gave generously, demonstrating that generosity is not dependent on wealth but on the heart's condition. The term "rich generosity" (πλοῦτος τῆς ἁπλότητος, ploutos tēs haplotētos) highlights the sincerity and liberality of their giving. This reflects the biblical teaching that God values the heart's intent over the amount given. Historically, this act of generosity served as a powerful witness to the unity and love within the body of Christ, encouraging believers to give sacrificially and joyfully, trusting in God's provision.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Macedonian Churches
These were the churches in the region of Macedonia, including Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. They were known for their faith and generosity despite facing severe trials and poverty.

2. Apostle Paul
The author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth to encourage them in their giving by using the example of the Macedonian churches.

3. The Collection for the Saints
This was a fundraising effort initiated by Paul to support the impoverished believers in Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
Joy in Trials
The Macedonian churches exemplified how joy can coexist with trials. Their joy was not dependent on circumstances but rooted in their faith in Christ.

Generosity in Poverty
True generosity is not measured by the amount given but by the heart and sacrifice behind it. The Macedonians gave beyond their means, demonstrating that even in poverty, one can be rich in generosity.

The Grace of Giving
Giving is a grace that God bestows upon believers. It is an act of worship and a reflection of God's own generosity towards us.

Encouragement to Others
The example of the Macedonian churches serves as an encouragement to other believers to give generously, regardless of their circumstances.

Faith and Action
Faith in Christ should lead to tangible actions, such as supporting fellow believers in need. Our faith is demonstrated through our deeds.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we find joy in the midst of our own trials, as the Macedonian churches did?

2. In what ways can we practice generosity, even when we feel we have little to give?

3. How does the example of the Macedonian churches challenge our understanding of giving and sacrifice?

4. What are some practical ways we can support fellow believers who are in need today?

5. How does our giving reflect our faith and trust in God's provision, as seen in the Macedonian churches' example?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Philippians 4:10-19
Paul commends the Philippians, a Macedonian church, for their generosity and support, highlighting their giving spirit despite their own needs.

Acts 16:9-40
This passage describes Paul's missionary journey to Macedonia, where he established the churches that later exemplified generosity.

Romans 15:26
Paul mentions the contribution made by the Macedonian and Achaian churches for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem, showing the broader context of their giving.
Ancient Charity the Rule and Reproof of ModernSermons by American Clergymen.2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Christian LiberalityF. W. Robertson, M. A.2 Corinthians 8:1-5
MoneyJ. Denney, B. D.2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Pure BenevolenceHomilist2 Corinthians 8:1-5
The Grace of LiberalityJ. M. Bolland, A. M.2 Corinthians 8:1-5
The Grace of LiberalityD. J. Burrell, D. D.2 Corinthians 8:1-5
The Grace of LiberalityAddison P. Foster.2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Christian Liberality in the Macedonian ChurchesC. Lipscomb 2 Corinthians 8:1-6
A Pattern of CharityE. Hurndall 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
The Best Law of LiberalityChristian Herald2 Corinthians 8:2-4
The Poverty of the MacedoniansT. Arnold, D. D.2 Corinthians 8:2-4
People
Corinthians, Paul, Titus
Places
Achaia, Corinth, Macedonia
Topics
Able, Abound, Abounded, Abundance, Affliction, Amid, Boundless, Deep, Extreme, Free-hearted, Freely, Generosity, Generous, Greater, Greatest, Increase, Joy, Liberality, Needs, Ordeal, Overflowed, Overflowing, Passing, Poverty, Proof, Rich, Riches, Severe, Sort, Test, Trial, Tribulation, Trouble, Undergoing, Wealth, Welled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Corinthians 8:2

     5447   poverty, causes
     5565   suffering, of believers
     5765   attitudes, to people

2 Corinthians 8:1-2

     5593   trial
     8289   joy, of church

2 Corinthians 8:1-4

     5414   money, stewardship
     7912   collections

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

     5503   rich, the
     5630   work, divine and human
     8225   devotion
     8481   self-sacrifice

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

     6710   privileges

2 Corinthians 8:2-3

     8436   giving, of possessions

2 Corinthians 8:2-4

     5856   extravagance

2 Corinthians 8:2-5

     7025   church, unity

Library
Willing and not Doing
'Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will so there may be a performance also.'--2 COR. viii. 11. The Revised Version reads: 'But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.' A collection of money for the almost pauper church at Jerusalem bulked very largely in the Apostle's mind at the date of the writing of the two letters to the Corinthian church. We learn that that church had
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Rich yet Poor
'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.'--2 COR. viii. 9. The Apostle has been speaking about a matter which, to us, seems very small, but to him was very great viz., a gathering of pecuniary help from the Gentile churches for the poor church in Jerusalem. Large issues, in his estimation, attended that exhibition of Christian unity, and, be it great or small, he applies the highest of
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Giving and Asking
'Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4. Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5. And this they did, not as we hoped,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Condescension of Christ
And now, dear friends, the argument of the apostle shall be our subject to-day. It divides itself in an extremely simple manner. We have first, the pristine condition of our Saviour--"He was rich." We have next, his condescension--"He became poor." And then we have the effect and result of his poverty--"That we might be made rich." We shall then close by giving you a doctrine, a question, and an exhortation. May God bless all these, and help us to tell them aright. I. First, then, our text tells
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

The Faithful Steward
Systematic beneficence is capable of a twofold division. There is a general or universal system, binding indiscriminately and equally on all of every rank and condition; and a particular system adapted alone to the circumstances of each individual. The latter stands related to the former, as the edifice to the foundation on which it rests. This distinction must be kept clearly before mind, if we would have definite views of our obligations relative to this important subject. In the ensuing discussion,
Sereno D. Clark—The Faithful Steward

Of the Matters to be Considered in the Councils.
Let us now consider the matters which should be treated in the councils, and with which popes, cardinals, bishops, and all learned men should occupy themselves day and night, if they loved Christ and His Church. But if they do not do so, the people at large and the temporal powers must do so, without considering the thunders of their excommunications. For an unjust excommunication is better than ten just absolutions, and an unjust absolution is worse than ten just excommunications. Therefore let
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Indeed in all Spiritual Delights, which Unmarried Women Enjoy...
27. Indeed in all spiritual delights, which unmarried women enjoy, their holy conversation ought also to be with caution; lest haply, though their life be not evil through haughtiness, their report be evil through negligence. Nor are they to be listened to, whether they be holy men or women, when (upon occasion of their neglect in some matter being blamed, through which it comes to pass that they fall into evil suspicion, from which they know that their life is far removed) they say that it is enough
St. Augustine—On the Good of Widowhood.

Epistle xxxi. To Theodorus, Physician.
To Theodorus, Physician. Gregory to Theodorus, Physician to the Emperor. I myself give thanks to Almighty God, that distance does not separate the hearts of those who truly love each other mutually. For lo, most sweet and glorious son, we are far apart in body, and yet are present with each other in charity. This your works, this your letters testify, this I experienced in you when present, this I recognize in your Glory when absent. May this make you both beloved of men and worthy for ever before
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Therefore Let the Rest of the Faithful, who have Lost virginity...
28. Therefore let the rest of the faithful, who have lost virginity, follow the Lamb, not whithersoever He shall have gone, but so far as ever they shall have been able. But they are able every where, save when He walks in the grace of virginity. "Blessed are the poor in spirit;" [2081] imitate Him, Who, whereas "He was rich, was made poor for your sakes." [2082] "Blessed are the meek;" imitate Him, Who said, "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart." [2083] "Blessed are they that mourn;" imitate
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Epistle xxviii. To Theodore, Physician.
To Theodore, Physician. Gregory to Theodore, Physician at Constantinople. My most beloved son the deacon Sabinianus [1709] , on his return to me, brought me no letter from your Glory; but he conveyed hither what had been sent for the poor and captives; whence I understood the reason. It was that you would not speak by letters to a man, having by a good deed made your address to Almighty God. For this same deed of yours has a voice of its own, which calls to the secret ears of God, as it is written,
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Church of Christ. "It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is ruth."--1 John v. 6. We now proceed to discuss the work of the Holy Spirit wrought in the Church of Christ. Altho the Son of God has had a Church in the earth from the beginning, yet the Scripture distinguishes between its manifestation before and after Christ. As the acorn, planted in the ground, exists, altho it passes through the two periods of germinating and rooting, and of growing upward and forming trunk and
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's Answer, Briefly Considered.
"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with, thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first born for my transgression; the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?--He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" As mankind are
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

On Account Then of These Either Occupations of the Servants of God...
17. On account then of these either occupations of the servants of God, or bodily infirmities, which cannot be altogether wanting, not only doth the Apostle permit the needs of saints to be supplied by good believers, but also most wholesomely exhorteth. For, setting apart that power, which he saith himself had not used, which yet that the faithful must serve unto, he enjoins, saying, "Let him that is catechised in the word, communicate unto him that doth catechise him, in all good things:" [2531]
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

The Duty of Self-Denial.
"Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child."--Psalm cxxxi. 2. Self-denial of some kind or other is involved, as is evident, in the very notion of renewal and holy obedience. To change our hearts is to learn to love things which we do not naturally love--to unlearn the love of this world; but this involves, of course, a thwarting of our natural wishes and tastes. To be righteous and obedient implies self-command; but to
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Of the Nature of Regeneration, with Respect to the Change it Produces in Men's Affections, Resolutions, Labors, Enjoyments and Hopes.
2 Cor. v. 17. 2 Cor. v. 17. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. AMONG the various subjects, which exercise the thoughts and tongues of men, few are more talked of than Religion. But it is melancholy to think how little it is understood; and how much it is mistaken and misrepresented in the world. The text before us gives us a very instructive view of it: such a view, that I am sure, an experimental knowledge of its sense would
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Meditations to Stir us up to Morning Prayer.
1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is so displeasing to the devil, and so irksome to the flesh. Bend therefore thy affections (will they, nill they) to so holy an exercise; assuring thyself, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered?
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Parables Exemplified in the Early History of the Church.
"To Him shall prayer unceasing And daily vows ascend; His Kingdom still increasing, A Kingdom without end." We have seen that our Lord described in His Parables the general character and nature of "The Kingdom of Heaven." Consequently, if the Church established by the Apostles under the guidance of the Holy Ghost is "The Kingdom of Heaven," it will necessarily be found to agree with the description thus given. Let us therefore now consider how far the history of the Church, in the Acts of the Apostles
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

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