The Word Made Fresh
1We want you to know that God’s grace has been given to the churches of Macedonia. 2They suffered from a severe affliction, but their joy in spite of their terrible poverty has spilled out in great generosity on their part. 3I can testify that they gave what they had voluntarily – even more than what they had. 4They begged for us to allow them to share in this ministry to the saints. 5We didn’t expect this, but they had given themselves to the Lord first of all, and by God’s will they gave to us. 6They did this so that we would urge Titus to continue what he had begun among you and complete his work there. 7You have excelled in everything – in faith, speech, and knowledge. You have been eager in your task, and have shown your love for us. We want you to excel in all you do.
8I’m not pressuring you, but I do want to compare your love with the eagerness shown by others. 9You know the overflowing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, for though he was rich he became poor for your sake so that his poverty would enrich you. 10So, I want you who began last year to do something, and desired to do it, 11until it is completed in whatever ways you are able, to match your eagerness with your means. 12If the desire is there the gift is acceptable, according to what you have, not according to what you lack. 13I don’t mean that there should be pressure on you to grant relief for others, but rather that there should be a fair balance 14between the abundance you now have and their need. 15It is written, “Those who had much didn’t have too much, nor did those who had little have too little.”
16I thank God for giving Titus the heart-felt anxiety for you that I have. 17Not only did he accept our appeal, but is more eager than ever, and is coming to you on his own initiative. 18We are sending with him the brother who is acclaimed among all the churches for preaching the gospel. 19And more than that, he has also been assigned by the churches to join us in our travels and be with us while we undertake this ministry for the glory of the Lord to show our eagerness for him. 20We don’t want anyone to blame us over this generous gift we are bringing. 21Our intention is to do what is right, not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of others. 22We are sending our brother with them. His eagerness has often been tested in many areas, and now he’s more eager than ever because of his confidence in you. 23Titus, of course, is my partner and co-worker on your behalf. All our brothers represent the churches and the glory of Christ. 24So, publicly show them proof of your love. Show them why we have reason to boast about you.
Commentary
1-7: Among other things, Titus had been engaged in fund raising in Corinth for the relief of the poor in Jerusalem. Paul urges them on by complimenting the response of the Macedonians who have given generously despite their own poverty. Paul knew that generosity begets generosity — that’s why matching gifts are successful as a fundraising technique.
8-15: This is an excellent passage on stewardship and generosity. The abundance of some can be used to overcome the poverty of others, and that generosity may very well be one day returned should their fortunes be reversed. Paul reminds them that Christ gave everything for their sake. In God’s economy there is always enough to go around. The quote in verse 15 is from the story of manna in Exodus 16:16-18.
16-24: Along with Titus, Paul is sending two others who are unnamed. The purpose of sending the three was to protect Paul from being accused of commandeering some of the collection for himself. It’s always good in the church to have more than one or two people handle the money. There has been much speculation about the identity of the two, particularly the “brother who is famous among all the churches.” Most ancient scholars believed that to be a reference to Luke, but recent scholarship is more divided with the majority simply refusing to attempt to identify either of the two.
Takeaway
The early church survived and grew not only through the efforts of Paul and other individuals, but also because of the generosity of new Christians who banded together in congregations throughout the Roman world of their time. A congregation’s elected leaders are important, no doubt, but no more important than the faithful worshipers who sit in the pews on Sunday morning.