2 Corinthians 8:8
I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.
I am not giving a command
In this phrase, the Apostle Paul clarifies his approach to the Corinthians regarding the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. The Greek word used here for "command" is "ἐπιταγή" (epitagē), which implies an authoritative directive. Paul is emphasizing that his appeal is not a legalistic requirement but rather an invitation to express genuine Christian love and generosity. This reflects the New Testament principle that giving should be voluntary and motivated by love, not compulsion, aligning with the broader scriptural teaching that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

but I want to test the sincerity of your love
Here, Paul uses the Greek word "δοκιμάζω" (dokimazō), meaning to test or prove. The apostle is not questioning the Corinthians' love but rather providing them an opportunity to demonstrate it in a tangible way. This testing is not for Paul's benefit but for the Corinthians' own spiritual growth. It echoes the biblical theme that faith and love are often proven through actions, as seen in James 2:17, where faith without works is dead. The historical context of the early church, which often faced persecution and poverty, made such acts of love and support crucial for the survival and unity of the Christian community.

by comparison with the earnestness of others
Paul is drawing a parallel between the Corinthians and other churches, particularly the Macedonians, who had already shown great generosity despite their own trials (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). The Greek word for "earnestness" is "σπουδή" (spoudē), which conveys diligence and zeal. This comparison is not meant to shame the Corinthians but to inspire them by the example of their fellow believers. It highlights the communal aspect of the early church, where the actions of one group could encourage and motivate others, fostering a spirit of unity and mutual support.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Corinthians, addressing issues within the church and encouraging them in their faith and practices.

2. Corinthians
The recipients of the letter, a Christian community in Corinth, known for their spiritual gifts but also for their struggles with moral and doctrinal issues.

3. Macedonian Churches
Mentioned earlier in the chapter as an example of generosity despite their poverty, serving as a model for the Corinthians.

4. Jerusalem Church
The intended recipients of the collection Paul is organizing, experiencing poverty and in need of support from other Christian communities.

5. Titus
A fellow worker with Paul, who is involved in the collection for the Jerusalem church and serves as a trusted messenger to the Corinthians.
Teaching Points
Sincerity of Love
True love is not just spoken but demonstrated through actions. Paul challenges the Corinthians to show their love through their generosity.

Testing and Growth
Tests of faith and love are opportunities for growth. Paul’s challenge is not a command but an invitation to mature in their faith.

Comparison and Encouragement
Paul uses the example of the Macedonian churches not to shame but to inspire the Corinthians to greater acts of love and generosity.

Voluntary Generosity
Giving should be voluntary and motivated by love, not compulsion. Paul emphasizes the importance of a willing heart in acts of charity.

Community Support
The early church exemplified mutual support and care. Modern believers are encouraged to look for ways to support their faith communities and beyond.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul’s approach in 2 Corinthians 8:8 challenge our understanding of love and generosity in the church today?

2. In what ways can we test the sincerity of our love for others in practical terms, as Paul suggests?

3. How can the example of the Macedonian churches inspire us to give more generously, even in times of personal difficulty?

4. What are some ways we can ensure that our giving is motivated by love rather than obligation or guilt?

5. How can we apply the principle of community support seen in the early church to our own church or community settings today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Corinthians 13
Paul’s famous discourse on love, which provides a foundation for understanding the sincerity of love that Paul is testing in the Corinthians.

James 2:14-17
Discusses the relationship between faith and works, emphasizing that genuine faith is demonstrated through actions, similar to how Paul is testing the sincerity of the Corinthians' love.

Philippians 2:1-4
Encourages believers to have the same mindset as Christ, valuing others above themselves, which aligns with the call to generous giving.

Acts 20:35
Paul’s teaching on the blessing of giving, reinforcing the principle of generosity that he is encouraging in the Corinthians.
Sincere LoveJ.R. Thomson 2 Corinthians 8:8
Christian LiberalityA. D. Smith, D. D.2 Corinthians 8:7-8
Love to Christ ProvedThe Evangelist2 Corinthians 8:7-8
The Grace of LiberalityT. Moir, M. A.2 Corinthians 8:7-8
The Test of LoveCongregational Pulpit2 Corinthians 8:7-8
Appeal to the CorinthiansC. Lipscomb 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
People
Corinthians, Paul, Titus
Places
Achaia, Corinth, Macedonia
Topics
Command, Commanding, Commandment, Comparing, Diligence, Earnestness, Forwardness, Genuine, Genuineness, Giving, Love, Men's, Mind, Occasion, Order, Prove, Proving, Quality, Ready, Saying, Sincerity, Speak, Speaking, Standard, Test, Using, Zeal
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Corinthians 8:8

     8296   love, nature of
     8297   love, for God

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

     6710   privileges

2 Corinthians 8:7-8

     8239   earnestness

2 Corinthians 8:7-9

     8262   generosity, human

2 Corinthians 8:7-11

     8252   faithfulness, relationships

2 Corinthians 8:8-9

     8245   ethics, incentives
     8436   giving, of possessions

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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