2 Corinthians 7-9
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Chapter 7
1 Since we have these promises…. – Cf. Ch 6:17-18.
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death – Repentance = Metanoia: A radical change of heart which turns a person (as in the Prodigal Son), and heads him back to the Father. Cf. Psalm 52:4.
Chapter 8
1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches – Macedonia was a Roman province located in present-day northern Greece; Corinth was the capital of the southern province called Achaia at the time. The three churches of Macedonia Paul had in mind were Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Macedonia was a poor region; ravaged by wars and plundered by the Romans. But despite its deep poverty, the Macedonian believers were amazingly generous (cf. 2 Cor. 11:9; Phil. 2:25; 4:15, 18). Cf. Luke 21:1-3.
7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving – Grace = charis.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich – “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Matthew 8:20).
- He was born of a woman
- so that we could be born of God;
- He humbled Himself
- so that we could be lifted up;
- He became a servant
- so that we could be made co-heirs;
- He suffered rejection
- so that we could become His friends;
- He denied Himself
- so that we could freely receive all things;
- He gave Himself
- so that He could bless us in every way.
15 as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.” – Exodus 16:18.
18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel - Ancient commentators assumed the person was Luke because they took the phrase “his service to the gospel” to mean that this person had written a Gospel book. Other commentators have suggested that Apollos or Barnabas may have been this brother. Most commentators suggest that this brother was a representative from the Macedonian churches. Sopater from Berea or Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica could be possibilities (see Acts 20:4-5). Other commentators insist that the fact that Paul stated that Macedonians were accompanying him later implies that this brother was not a Macedonian. These scholars, therefore, offer Tychicus and Trophimus as possibilities (see Acts 21:29).
Chapter 9
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously – This is a principle that appears throughout the scriptures: Luke 6:38; Prov 11:24; Rom 8:32; Gal 6:8.
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver – Cheerful = Greek: hilaros, hilarious!
9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” – Isaiah 55:10-11.
Four Reasons for the Tithe
- It acknowledges the Creator’s rights. The Tenth of all is His.
- It is the antidote for greed and covetousness.
- It is a test of our faith.
- It is the solution to every financial problem.
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