GRACE MADE VISIBLE
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We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
PREACH THE GOSPEL AND WHEN NECESSARY USE WORDS.
PREACH THE GOSPEL AND WHEN NECESSARY USE WORDS.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
GOSPEL ACTIONS MUST BE EXPLAINED BY GOSPEL ARTICULATIONS.
GOSPEL ACTIONS MUST BE EXPLAINED BY GOSPEL ARTICULATIONS.
GENEROSITY ALONE IS AN ACTION NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH SAVE. IT MAY CREATE CURIOSITY BUT NOT CONVERTS. IT MAY BE USED TO DRAW BUT IT CANNOT DELIVER. IT MAY CAUSE PEOPLE TO SEEK BUT IT CANNOT SAVE.
GRACE CREATES A GENEROUS CONGREGATION . . .
GRACE CREATES A GENEROUS CONGREGATION . . .
REGARDLESS OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES.
REGARDLESS OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES.
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
REGARDLESS OF THEIR FINANCIAL CONDITION.
REGARDLESS OF THEIR FINANCIAL CONDITION.
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
To express how little the Macedonians actually had, Paul described their impoverishment in strong language. Deep translates the phrase kata bathos (lit., “according to the depth”). The corresponding English expression would be “extremely deep”; or in the vernacular, “the pits” or “rock bottom.” High taxes, slavery, low economic status, and persecution had all reduced the Macedonian believers to abject poverty. Ptōcheia (poverty) describes those with almost nothing, forced to beg to survive. Paul used it in 8:9 to describe Christ’s poverty when He “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7). A related word, ptōchos, is used to describe the blind and the lame (Luke 14:13, 21), a destitute widow (Mark 12:42), and Lazarus the beggar (Luke 16:20).
The Macedonians’ confidence that God would supply all their needs (Ps. 37:25; Phil. 4:19) freed them to give generously. Devout Christians do not wait until they have more money; they give despite their poverty, like the poor widow of Luke 21:1–4. Jesus said in Luke 16:10, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” Giving is not a matter of how much one possesses but is an expression of an unselfish and loving heart. The Macedonians’ refusal to allow their poverty to stifle their generosity made them models of Christian giving.
GRACE COMPELS A CONGREGATION TO BE GENEROUS BECAUSE . . .
GRACE COMPELS A CONGREGATION TO BE GENEROUS BECAUSE . . .
IT IS THE ROOT OF OUR JOY.
IT IS THE ROOT OF OUR JOY.
Perisseia (abundance) means “a surplus,” or “an overflow.” Paul used it to describe God’s saving grace that He pours out on believers through Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:17). The Macedonians did not give grudgingly, reluctantly, out of a sense of duty, or under duress. Nor were they motivated by fear of divine punishment or of Paul’s displeasure. They gave gladly, freely, joyfully, knowing that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).
The Macedonians’ joy transcended their pain, sorrow, and suffering. “You also became imitators of us and of the Lord,” Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:6; cf. Acts 5:41). Their giving reflected that reality, as they joyfully divested themselves of what little they possessed. They rejoiced at laying up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:20; 19:21; Luke 12:33), knowing that the greater blessing is to the giver, not the receiver (Acts 20:35), and that God will give back in greater measure (Luke 6:38).
IT IS REFLECTS OUR SAVIOR.
IT IS REFLECTS OUR SAVIOR.
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
IN JESUS WE FIND THE ACTIONS AND ARTICULATIONS OF THE GOSPEL.
IN JESUS WE FIND THE ACTIONS AND ARTICULATIONS OF THE GOSPEL.
THEY GAVE SACRIFICIALLY (8:3B)
THEY GAVE SACRIFICIALLY (8:3B)
THEY GAVE VOLUNTARY (8:3C)
THEY GAVE VOLUNTARY (8:3C)
THEY GAVE AS A PRIVILEGE NOT AN OBLIGATION (8:4)
THEY GAVE AS A PRIVILEGE NOT AN OBLIGATION (8:4)
THEY GAVE AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP (8:5A)
THEY GAVE AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP (8:5A)
THEY GAVE AS IN SUBMISSION TO THEIR PASTORS (85B-6)
THEY GAVE AS IN SUBMISSION TO THEIR PASTORS (85B-6)
THEY GAVE OUT OF WHO THEY WERE (8:7)
THEY GAVE OUT OF WHO THEY WERE (8:7)
THEY GAVE AS A PROOF OF LOVE (8:8)
THEY GAVE AS A PROOF OF LOVE (8:8)