2 Corinthians 8:19
More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering--the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.
More than that
This phrase indicates a continuation and expansion of the previous thought. In the context of Paul's letter, it emphasizes the importance and additional responsibilities of the individual being discussed. The Greek word used here, "δε" (de), often serves as a conjunction to add emphasis or introduce a new aspect of the narrative. Historically, this reflects the layered responsibilities in early Christian communities, where leaders were often tasked with multiple roles to ensure the effective spread of the Gospel.

he was chosen by the churches
The phrase underscores the communal decision-making process in the early Church. The Greek word "χειροτονέω" (cheirotoneo) implies a selection or appointment by a show of hands, indicating a democratic process. This reflects the early Christian practice of involving the entire congregation in significant decisions, highlighting the unity and shared mission of the Church. It also emphasizes the trust and respect the churches had for this individual, recognizing his integrity and capability.

to accompany us with this gift
This phrase highlights the role of the chosen individual as a companion and steward of the financial gift. The Greek word "συνεκδημέω" (synekdēmeō) means to travel together, indicating partnership and accountability. The "gift" refers to the collection for the Jerusalem church, a significant act of charity and solidarity among the early Christians. This reflects the interconnectedness of the early Christian communities and their commitment to supporting one another.

which is being administered by us
The administration of the gift indicates a structured and responsible approach to handling church resources. The Greek word "διακονέω" (diakoneo) means to serve or minister, suggesting that the handling of the gift was seen as a form of service to God and the community. This reflects the early Church's emphasis on stewardship and integrity in financial matters, ensuring that resources were used effectively for the intended purpose.

to the glory of the Lord Himself
This phrase emphasizes that the ultimate purpose of the gift and its administration is to honor God. The Greek word "δόξα" (doxa) means glory, suggesting that all actions are to reflect God's majesty and goodness. This aligns with the conservative Christian perspective that all aspects of life, including financial dealings, should be conducted in a manner that glorifies God and reflects His character.

and to show our eagerness to help
The phrase highlights the motivation behind the collection and its administration. The Greek word "προθυμία" (prothymia) means readiness or willingness, indicating a proactive and enthusiastic approach to service. This reflects the early Church's commitment to charity and mutual support, demonstrating love and concern for fellow believers. It serves as an inspiration for modern Christians to approach acts of service with the same eagerness and dedication.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who is writing to the Corinthians, discussing the collection for the saints in Jerusalem.

2. Titus
A trusted companion of Paul, who is involved in the administration of the collection.

3. The Churches
Refers to the various congregations that have contributed to the collection and have chosen representatives to accompany Paul.

4. The Gift
The financial collection being gathered for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem.

5. Jerusalem
The destination of the collection, where the saints are in need of support.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Accountability
The churches chose representatives to accompany Paul, ensuring transparency and integrity in handling the collection. This teaches us the value of accountability in financial matters within the church.

Unity in the Body of Christ
The collective effort of various churches to support the believers in Jerusalem exemplifies the unity and interconnectedness of the body of Christ. We are called to support one another in times of need.

Glorifying God through Service
The administration of the gift is ultimately for the glory of the Lord. Our acts of service and generosity should always aim to honor God and reflect His love.

Eagerness to Help
The passage highlights the eagerness to assist fellow believers. We should cultivate a willing and enthusiastic spirit when it comes to serving others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the selection of representatives by the churches in 2 Corinthians 8:19 demonstrate the principle of accountability, and how can we apply this in our church's financial practices?

2. In what ways does the unity of the early churches in supporting the Jerusalem believers challenge us to foster unity within our own church communities?

3. How can we ensure that our acts of service and generosity are done for the glory of God, as emphasized in this passage?

4. Reflect on a time when you were eager to help someone in need. How can you maintain or increase this eagerness in your daily life?

5. Considering the broader context of Paul's letters, how does the collection for the saints in Jerusalem illustrate the principle of mutual support within the global church?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 11:29-30
This passage describes the early church's practice of sending relief to the brethren in Judea, showing the precedent for such collections.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Paul gives instructions for the collection for the saints, providing context for the organized effort mentioned in 2 Corinthians 8.

Romans 15:25-27
Paul speaks of his ministry to the saints in Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of the collection as a service to the church.
Expected Proof of Professed LoveC. H. Spurgeon.2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Prudential Management; Care to Avoid BlameC. Lipscomb 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Thanksgiving to God for Ministerial CareMatthew Henry.2 Corinthians 8:16-24
The Collection for the Poor Christians in JerusalemF. W. Robertson, M. A.2 Corinthians 8:16-24
The Double Standard of DutyHomiletic Monthly2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Twelve Causes of DishonestyH. W. Beecher.2 Corinthians 8:16-24
People
Corinthians, Paul, Titus
Places
Achaia, Corinth, Macedonia
Topics
Accompany, Administer, Administered, Administration, Appointed, Assemblies, Carry, Carrying, Chosen, Churches, Clear, Commission, Declaration, Desire, Eagerness, Favour, Fellow-traveller, Generous, Gift, Giving, Glory, Grace, Gracious, Gratify, Honor, Lord's, Marked, Matter, Mind, Ministered, Offering, Order, Promote, Readiness, Ready, Served, Sharing, Strong, Travel, Undertaken, Vote, Willing, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Corinthians 8:19

     5840   eagerness
     5878   honour
     8329   readiness

2 Corinthians 8:16-21

     5325   gifts

2 Corinthians 8:16-22

     8370   zeal

2 Corinthians 8:19-21

     7912   collections
     8444   honouring God

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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