Sunday School Lessons

JUNE 5, 2022

PAUL’S DEFENSE OF HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY (CONT’D.)

INTRODUCTION:

1. In this chapter the Apostle continues his discussion in opposition to the false apostles who sought to undermine his reputation among the Corinthians, and, it seems, had prevailed too much by their insinuation.
2. He had just condemned all self-commendation, yet he was forced to do what had the appearance of that very thing. Painful as it was for him to be seen as self-lauding, it was necessary.
3. The Corinthians (some of them) were in danger of being turned away from Christ by having their confidence in Paul lessened by the misrepresentation of his enemies. Thus, it was needful for him to establish the grounds of his authority over them.
4. Yet, so repugnant was this sort of thing to him that he found it difficult to do what he felt had to be done. He not only begins by apologizing, but again and again he turns from his “boasting” (as he called it) to something else.

I. PAUL GIVES HIS REASONS FOR HIS SELF-VINDICATION. (VERSES 1-4) It was for their sakes that Paul felt obligated to present the grounds upon which he claimed authority and superiority over his opponents.

A. HE BEGS THEIR PARDON AND FORBEARANCE WHILE HE INDULGES IN A LITTLE FOOLISHNESS. (VERSE 1)

1. Bragging, to Paul was foolishness, and the thought of appearing to be a braggart was painful to him. If only more people were of that same mind.
2. Paul realized that to most people braggarts are very off-putting, therefore he begs of them to please bear with him.
3. The self-commendation of the false apostles was the fruit of conceit and vanity. With Paul it was self-vindication. Although vastly different in character and design, they have one thing in common. Both include self-laudation. Both are therefore called boasting. Thus, Paul calls even his good boasting, folly, i.e. a want of sense.

B. PAUL HAD THE HIGHEST MOTIVE FOR ENGAGING IN THIS UNPLEASANT METHOD OF DEFENSE. (VERSES 2-4)

1. He was motivated by his great love for them, and out of anxiety for their faithfulness to Christ. This is why they should bear with him. (Verse 2)
a) He was jealous over them, and it was out of zeal for God’s honor that he was jealous. “With godly jealousy.”
b) Paul’s was the zeal which God has for Himself and His relationship to His people. This word rendered jealous may mean an ardent love, such as a man has for his wife for whom he has a righteous jealousy.
c) As the people of God are often represented in the Bible as standing in relation to Him as wife to husband, so God is represented as being jealous when the love that belongs to Him is given to another. (Isa. 54:5; 62:5
Ezek. 16; Hos. 2)
d) It was natural for Paul to feel this jealousy over them, because their union to Christ was formed through his work. (I Cor. 4:1-5; 9:1)
e) He, as a spiritual father to them would present them as a chaste virgin to Christ. He had espoused them to one husband, and therefore, their fidelity and faithfulness to Christ, their husband, was of personal concern to him.

2. Though they were betrothed to Christ, he feared that their affections might be seduced from Him. (Verse 3)
a) Paul’s jealousy arose because he feared that the false apostles might succeed in seducing some who were espoused to Christ away from Him.
b) Satan, who appeared in the garden and seduced Eve through subtlety, is ever about his same work. Eve had every conceivable reason to secure her fidelity, and yet, she fell.
c) Paul feared that the old serpent might also corrupt their minds from the simplicity that is in Christ.

3. Paul’s concern was justified by the readiness with which some at Corinth bore with those who preached another gospel. (Verse 4)
a) Paul here delivers a strong reproof for their credulity and easiness of persuasion, which is analogous to that which he administered to the Galatians. (Gal. 1:6-8; 4:6-9; 5:8)
b) It is always a matter of concern when professing Christians listen indiscriminately to ministers who claim to preach Christ. They may talk about Jesus, but their Jesus is not the divine Savior of the Bible.
c) The gift of the Holy Spirit was secured by the works of Christ. (Gal. 3:13, 14) The indwelling of the spirit and his sanctifying power is the great evidence that one is a true Christian. Yet there are other spirits promoted through false teachers. God’s people must “try the spirits.” (I John 4:1; see also Gal. 3:2; Heb. 2:4)
d) Paul was greatly disturbed that they would bear with preachers who preached another Jesus, who were of another spirit, and who proclaimed another gospel.

II. PAUL PROCEEDS TO GIVE THE GROUNDS UPON WHICH HIS AUTHORITY WAS SUPERIOR TO HIS OPPONENTS. (VERSES 5-15)

A. RATHER THAN TO BE SEDUCED BY FALSE APOSTLES PAUL REASONS THAT THEY SHOULD RATHER BEAR WITH HIM. (VERSE 5)

1. For whatever reasons they might have borne with these men, what they were giving ear to was contrary to the teachings of Paul, who was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
2. Paul is not here speaking of those whom he accuses in Verse 4 of preaching another gospel. They were not apostles at all, much less chief apostles. He is referring to the true apostles of Christ.
3. What fools they were who would bear with some pretender, whose doctrine agreed not with Christ’s own apostles.

B. RATHER THAN BECOMING SEDUCED BY PRETENTIOUS ORATORS, THEY OUGHT TO ADHERE TO ONE WHOSE APOSTOLIC OFFICE WAS ABUNDANTLY MANIFESTED. (VERSE 6)

1. Paul had knowledge of the truth for which sake he refrained from using high sounding oratory, so that all might readily understand the doctrines of Christ.
2. By demonstration of the Spirit, Paul’s apostleship had been abundantly validated. Eloquence and rhetoric do not evidence a sound ministry, but truth and the irreplaceable blessing of the Holy Spirit are what count for proof. (See I Cor. 2:4, 5)

C. HIS REFUSAL TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT SHOULD HAVE IN NO WAY RAISED OBJECTION TO HIS APOSTLESHIP. (VERSE 7)

1. Did his not availing himself or the right of an apostle to be supported by those to whom he preached give cause to question his apostleship? He asks, “Have I committed an offense in abasing myself?” Was his act of self- humiliation a sin in their eyes? (See I Cor. 9:4-15; Phil. 4:12)
2. It was to promote their spiritual interest that he labored to support himself as a tentmaker. Yet it is intimated in
I Cor. 9 that his enemies represented this as proof that Paul knew his apostleship was not invalid.
3. Paul is here asking if they were disposed to believe that, since they had no other reason for their objection to him.

D. HE SPEAKS FIGURATIVELY AS HAVING ROBBED FROM OTHER CHURCHES WHAT WAS NOT RECEIVED FROM THEM. (VERSES 8, 9)

1. What Paul received from other churches, i.e. the Macedonian churches, he was entitled to, and it was freely given.
2. The reason he speaks thus is that he took from them what the Corinthians ought to have contributed.
3. He received support from others in order to do them service.
4. When he ministered in Corinth (Acts 18) he did not ask for assistance from them, not even when he was in want. At such times the brethren from Macedonia supplied his need. As he had not turned to them for help in the past, he vows not to do so in the future. (Verse 9)
a) This was by design, in order to cut off occasion to those who sought occasion against him.
b) He was not opposed to receive that which was rightfully his by the ordinance of Christ. (I Cor. 9:14)
c) From some churches he received it without hesitation. For example, the Philippians. (Phil. 4:16, 18)
d) From others he would not receive it at all. For example, the Ephesians (Acts 20:34, 35); so also in Thessalonica (I Thess. 2:9; II Thess. 3:8); and Corinth (Acts 18:3; I Cor. 9:15-18)

E. NOT RECEIVING WAGES WAS PARTICULARLY HIS POLICY IN THE REGIONS OF ACHAIA.
(VERSES 10-12)

1. He vows that no one shall stop him from this boasting. Literally, “This boasting shall not be stopped in me” His self-imposed policy would continue, not only at Corinth, but throughout Achaia, all of Greece, not including Macedonia. (Verse 10)
2. From the Macedonians he would receive aid, but form the Christians of Achaia he would not. The reasons for this distinction he gives in the following verses.
3. This refusal was not because of any want of love to them. (Verse 11)
4. This refusal was that he might avoid giving those who wished to impeach his motives anything that they could misrepresent to that end. “…that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion.”
5. This refusal of aid would put his accusers to the test if they were willing to cease making gain of the Gospel. Would they preach it freely? “That wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.”

III. PAUL COMPARES THESE FALSE APOSTLES TO SATAN, WHO TRANSFORMED HIMSELF INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT. (VERSES 13-15)

A. THEY WERE DECEITFUL LIKE SATAN. “deceitful workers.”

1. Just as Satan transformed himself into “an angel of light,” these false apostles transformed themselves into the likeness of apostles.
2. By their opposition to Christ’s true Apostle, they showed that they were, in fact, Satan’s ministers and not Christ’s. (Isa. 8:20)

B. THEY WERE DESTINED TO THE SAME DOOM AS SATAN. (VERSE 15)

1. Whomever they may have convinced that they were “ministers of righteousness,” the Judge of the whole earth was not deceived by them.
2. God knew their works, and He also knew their hearts, and clearly, they were of their father the devil.
3. They shall therefore be one with Satan in his eternal damnation. “Whose end shall be according to their works.” (See Rev. 20:10-14)
4. The Lord knows them that are His. He knows those who are His true ministers. They too shall receive of Him according to their works. (II Tim. 4:7, 8; Isa. 3:10; Matt. 25:34-36)
5. False prophets may wish that their last end should be like that of the righteous, but it shall not be so.
(Num. 23:10)

MAY 8, 2022

AN EXHORTATION TO LIBERALITY (PART III)

INTRODUCTION:

1. Since this passage is intimately connected to the preceding, let us do a brief review of Chapter 8.
a) Paul began by setting before the Corinthians the liberality of the Macedonian churches in order to further encourage their own liberality. (Versus 1-7)
b) He reminded them of their good beginning, and of their good purpose of a year ago, urging them to perform the doing of it. (Versus 8-11)
c) He acknowledged that clearly they had the ability, yet he would have them to act out of a willing heart, so that their abundance might supply the wants of others. (Verses 12-15)
d) Paul, determined to avoid all occasion of reproach, associated other faithful men with himself in the charge of the money entrusted to him. Titus and two other men of approved character received Paul’s personal commendation. (Verses 16-23)
e) Since these men were messengers of the churches, he urged the church to prove their love and justify his boasting about them in their conduct toward these men. (Verse 24)

2. He exhorted them to receive Titus and his two companions with confidence, for indeed, as he here continues in Verse 1, it is superfluous to write about the collections.

I. HE EXHORTS THE CORINTHIANS NOT TO FALSIFY HIS BOASTING OF THEIR LIBERALITY. (VERSES 1-5)

A. PAUL HERE GIVES AN ELEGANT REVOCATION OF THE ARGUMENT HE HAD DWELT UPON IN THE FORMER CHAPTER. (VERSE 1)

1. The Greek particle (gar) here translated “for” might have been better translated “but,” as it is in other places. (See
I Pet. 4:15; II Pet. 1:9)
2. The sense is this: “But, for me to multiply words to persuade you to minister to saints in need, it is superfluous.”
3. By this art, which has the force of another persuasive argument, he expresses his confidence that they will not disappoint his good opinion of them.

B. HE GIVES THEM THE REASON WHY HE JUDGED IT SUPERFLUOUS TO WRITE TO THEM IN THE MANNER WHICH HE HAD. (VERSE 2)

1. Because they had a forward mind of themselves, and needed not to be persuaded by so many arguments.
2. This the Apostle tells them that he knew. He had already expressed this confidence. (Ch. 8:10) He apparently knew this, not only from themselves, but from the reports of others who came from them. He had boasting of them for their forwardness and charity to the churches of Macedonia and Achaia.
3. He tells them that their good example had kindled a fire in others in those parts where he was. “Your zeal hath provoked very many.”
4. Paul used the example of the churches of Macedonia to provoke the church at Corinth to greater liberality. Now, he is telling the Corinthians that their example had provoked the churches of Macedonia.
5. It is good when Christians can provoke one another to good works.
6. Quite possibly the Macedonian churches were stirred up to give richly beyond their power by the Corinthian’s example; (Ch. 8:2-4) while the churches of Macedonia became an example of cheerful giving to the Corinthians. (Ch. 8:11, 12)

C. HE URGES THEIR READINESS WHEN THE MESSENGERS ARRIVE, LEST HIS BOASTING BE IN VAIN. (VERSE 3)

1. They had shown their readiness a year ago. They had determined to make a liberal collection. Therefore this was merely a reminder.
2. As he had said in the first epistle, he would have the work done so that there be no need to gather their alms at the last minute. (I Cor. 16:2) This idea is signified here by their being ready, not that readiness of mind, which he spoke about before. (Ch. 8:11, 12)

D. HE WOULD NOT THAT HE SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED BEFORE THE SAINTS OF MACEDONIA TO WHOM HE HAD BOASTED OF THEIR WILLING LIBERALITY. (VERSE 4)

1. Such an event ought to cause them to blush.
2. It would also cause Paul to blush, whose honor and reputation was tied to theirs. He stresses that “we,” not “ye” should suffer embarrassment.

E. HE JUDGED IT PRUDENT TO SEND THE CHOSEN MESSENGERS AHEAD, TO GATHER THEIR BOUNTY. (VERSE 5)

1. The same reason is given as he had before stated. (I Cor. 16:2)
2. The word “bounty” in the Greek signifies blessing, which also agrees with the Hebrew dialect. (I Sam. 25:27;
Gen. 33:11)
a) These gifts are a part of God’s blessing upon him that gives. (Psa. 24:5)
b) The giving of them is a recognition of how much God has blessed us. (I Cor. 16:2)
c) They express the blessing, or well-wishes of the giver upon the recipient.
d) They are a real doing good, i.e. a real blessing to the persons receiving them.
e) In giving, we bless God with what He has given to us.

3. Paul would have the previously promised bounty to be ready as a matter of BLESSING, and not as of covetousness. The meaning is that he would have them to give heartily as a matter of blessing, and not begrudgingly.

a) Sometimes we are guilty of giving covetously, wishing we could keep the gift for ourselves.
b) A covetous giver thinks all is lost that is given to charity, but the Apostle will now correct that mistaken notion

II. PAUL ENCOURAGES THEM TO GIVE BOUNTIFULLY AND CHEERFULLY AS A LIKELY MEANS TO INCREASE THEIR STORE. (VERSES 6-11)

A. THE BOUNTY THAT IS GIVEN CHEERFULLY IS NO MORE LOST THAN THE SEED WHICH IS SOWN IN THE GROUND. (VERSE 6)

1. Not only is the seed not lost, but it will return perhaps thirty, sixty, or even a hundred fold. (Mark 4:8) 2. In the parable just alluded to, the abundance of the crop depended upon the goodness and preparedness of the soil. It is not so with this spiritual crop. It is not the goodness of the ground, but the willing liberality of the sower with his seed. (See Matt. 10:40-42)

B. THE GIVING THAT GOD BLESSES IS THAT WHICH IS DONE WILLINGLY AND CHEERFULLY. (VSE. 7)

1. As God puts it into one’s heart, and as that one has purposed in himself, so let him give.
2. It was the joyfulness of the Macedonians in giving that made them a true example of Christian liberality.
3. Notice, it is God Who takes notice of our giving. “God loveth with a cheerful giver.” This let the Corinthians know that God concerned himself with what they gave, and the attitude in which they gave.
4. We must ever remember that with respect to Christian giving, as with all good works, our motives are of the utmost importance with God. The only giving that can be considered cheerful is that which is motivated by love – love for God, and for His people.

C. BY OUR TRUE CHRISTIAN CHARITY GOD IS MADE OUR DEBTOR, AND HE IS NO INSOLVENT DEBTOR. (VERSE 8)

1. This he confirms from the promise taken out of Psalm 112:9, where it is further added, “his horn shall be exalted with honor.”
2. See also Prov. 11:24; Mal. 3:10; Heb. 6:10
3. The friends which a man makes with his mammon of unrighteousness shall receive him into everlasting habitation. (Luke 16:9) A man’s riches cannot remain forever, but his reward is in the distribution of them, shall remain forever.

D. THE APOSTLE ISSUES A PRAYER TO THE GOD OF PROVIDENCE THAT HE CAUSE HIS GRACE TO ABOUND IN THIS MINISTRY. (VERSE 10)

1. The Apostle is no doubt thinking of Isaiah’s words as he forms this prayer. (Isa. 55:10ff)
2. It is God Who gives us the seed to sow, and it is He who makes it to grow and multiply.
3. That increase which is most blessed is the fruit of our righteousness.

E. THROUGH THEIR ENRICHMENT THE SAINTS WOULD BE BLESSED, AND GOD WOULD BE GLORIFIED. (VERSE 11) These two things are of the utmost importance.

1. Christian charity, as we have seen, blesses both the giver and the receiver of the bounty. (Blessing)
2. This results in thanksgiving to God Whose marvelous grace is responsible for every part of this ministry. (See Ch.4:15)
3. More important than are receiving blessing is that God receives the glory.

III. THIS MINISTRY, BEYOND PROVIDING FOR THE NEEDY, SHALL RESULT IN MULTIPLIED THANKS- GIVING UNTO GOD. (VERSES 12-15)

A. TRUE CHRISTIAN CHARITY IS A DEMONSTRATION OF GOD’S GRACE, FOR WHICH HE IS DUE ALL OF THE PRAISE. (VERSE 12)

1. He moves the hearts of the benefactors to show His kindness to the needy. He, as we have before noted, has provided the giver with his bounty from which to give to those in need. His Spirit teaches the joy of giving, which makes giving its own reward. But, beyond that, His providence repays the blessing many fold.
2. Thus, many thanksgivings abound unto God, not only from the recipients of the gifts, but also from those who have the joy of bestowing them.
3. Have we so experienced the grace of giving? Do we know how to give as unto the Lord, desiring to bring praise to His Name?

B. TRUE CHRISTIAN CHARITY TESTIFIES (TO THE GLORY OF GOD) OF OUR SUBJECTION TO THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. (VERSE 13)

1. The sense is, Many thank God, glorifying Him on account of the evidence offered by this service to their obedience to the Gospel. It is a matter of great thanksgiving when we see evidence of the grace of God in others.
2. They also thanked God for the liberal contributions made to them and to all men generally.

C. TRUE CHRISTIAN CHARITY IS REWARDING, IN THAT, THE SAINTS ARE MOVED TO PRAY FOR THEIR BENEFACTORS. Who can possibly estimate the value of this blessing?

D. GOD IS TO BE THANKED FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT. (VERSE 15)

1. Christ himself. The Gospel. These are truly deserving of epithet unspeakable.
2. The grace of brotherly love and Christian charity, which was wrought in the hearts of these Corinthians by the Spirit of Christ and the Gospel. This too is an unexpectedly precious gift of God.

MAY 1, 2022

AN EXHORTATION TO LIBERALITY (PART 2)

INTRODUCTION:

1. In the preceding passage the Apostle had used several compelling arguments in order to stir up the Corinthians to the good work of charity.

a) First, he cites their eminence in other gifts and graces. (Verse 7)
b) Second, he points them to the example of Christ Himself. (Verses 8, 9)
c) Third, he reminds them of their earlier purpose, and their good beginning. (Verses 10, 11)
d) Fourth, he would have them to consider how Providence had favored them with the ability to excel in this grace. (Verses 12-15)

2. In these verses, the Apostle commends the brethren who were sent to them to collect their charity. Titus would be returning accompanied by two other brethren.

a) The object of Titus’ first visit was to ascertain the state of the church and specially the effect of Paul’s former epistle.
b) The object of this mission was to bring to an end the collection for the poor which the Corinthians had so long under consideration.

I. THE COMMENDATION OF TITUS TO HEAD UP THIS MISSION. (VERSES 16, 17)

A. TITUS WAS THE RIGHT MAN TO LEAD THE EFFORT BECAUSE HE WAS OF THE SAME MIND AS PAUL IN THIS MATTER. (VERSE 16)

1. Titus had as much zeal in this thing as Paul, and therefore the Apostle thanks God, Who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care for you.
2. Titus shared the same interest in the spiritual welfare of the Corinthians, and had the same concern that they should act consistently, as the Apostle had so warmly solicited in the preceding verses.

B. TITUS WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE BECAUSE OF HIS READINESS TO PERFORM THIS SERVICE. (VERSE 17)

1. Notice, Paul uses the past tense, because the past tense would be suited to the position of the reader. “He went unto you…” Titus was indeed then the carrier of this letter.
2. Titus’ readiness to perform the duty at hand made the exhortation to go unnecessary. Although he obeyed the Apostle’s exhortation, he at the same time, of his own accord went.
3. This good man was forward to accept this responsibility, even though asking for charity is often looked upon as a thankless job. Titus was nevertheless zealous to do that which was needful.

II. THE COMMENDATION OF TWO OTHER BRETHREN WHO WERE SENT WITH TITUS.
(VERSES 18, 19, 22)

A. THE FIRST BROTHER TO BE COMMENDED WAS ONE WHO WAS WELL-KNOWN AMONG THE CHURCHES. (VERSES 18, 19)

1. It is needless to speculate as to who this brother was. Perhaps, as some suggest, it was Luke, or Mark, or Trophimus.
2. Whoever the man was, keep in mind, he was subordinate to Titus in this mission.
3. His reputation preceded him as one whose praise was in the Gospel throughout all the churches. (Vs. 18)

a) This brother distinguished himself by his zeal and labors and promoting of the Gospel.
b) Nothing so commends one to the church as zeal for the Gospel of Christ.

4. In addition to that high commendation, we have the following. (Verse 19)

a) He had been personally chosen by the churches (of Macedonia) to be a traveling companion of Paul in the effort of collecting alms for the poor.
b) Of this effort Paul himself was the administrator. “…which is ministered by us…” The administration of this gift was for the glory of the Lord, and to prove the readiness of the churches in their giving.
c) This brother had been observed by the Apostle, and found to be worthy of this commission.

B. THE SECOND BROTHER TO BE COMMENDED HAD PROVED HIMSELF WORTHY IN THE EYES OF PAUL. (VERSE 22)

1. We have no way of knowing who this man was. We only know that Paul had found him to be diligent (earnest) in many things. It is thus implied that in nothing was he found not to be diligent.
2. Some think this was Apollos, but for what reason we know not. Surely, since Apollos was well-known to the Corinthians, Paul would have given his name, if that were the case.
3. Most likely this man was not known to the Corinthians, nevertheless his diligence was increased the more because of his confidence in how the Corinthians would respond.

III. THE PRUDENCE OF PAUL IN SELECTING AND SENDING THESE MEN ON THIS MISSION. (VERSES 20, 21)

A. BY SENDING THESE TWO CHOSEN BRETHREN WITH TITUS, PAUL WOULD AVOID MISREPRESENTATION OF HIMSELF. (VERSE 20)

1. They would not only a company Titus, but also take part in the distribution.
2. Paul was determined that no one should find anything for which to accuse him in regard to his administration of this large sum of money.

B. IT WAS IMPORTANT TO PAUL TO REMAIN ABOVE SUSPICION, NOT ONLY BEFORE THE LORD, BUT BEFORE THE EYES OF MEN AS WELL. (VERSE 21)

1. Some will say, God knows my heart, so it does not matter what men may think or say.
2. It does matter what men may think and say. Not only are we to “walk honestly toward them that are without,” (I Thess. 4:12; Rom. 13:13; I Pet. 2:12) but we are to avoid even the appearance of evil,
(I Thess. 5:22) and let not our good be evil spoken of. (Rom. 14:16)
3. We cannot absolutely prevent wicked men from speaking evil of us, nor can we prevent them from misrepresenting us in the good that we do. However, like Paul, we can and must take precautions so as not to give them the opportunity.

IV. PAUL CONCLUDES WITH A GENERAL SUMMARY COMMENDATION FOLLOWED BY AN APPEAL TO THE CHURCH. (VERSES 23, 24)

A. FIRST, THE GENERAL SUMMARY COMMENDATION. (VERSE 23)

1. As for Titus, should any inquire, Paul says, “he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you.”

a) Partner. Associate; one who has part with me and a common ministry.
b) Fellow-helper. Fellow-laborer; one who works side-by-side, shoulder to shoulder with me in the work of the ministry, and especially as it concerns you.

2. As to our brethren, should any inquire, Paul says, “they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.”

a) Messengers (apostoloi) sent ones. They were not apostles in the official sense, like Paul, but as Epaphroditus was called an Apostle. (Phil. 2:25)
b) Messengers of the churches. This was an important calling. They were chosen and sent by the churches, just as missionaries are sent ones of the church.
c) Messengers of…the glory of Christ. “As Christ alone is the glory of believers, so is he glorified in them. They by their holiness and witness lead men to see the excellence of Christ, whose image they bear.” (Calvin)

B. AN APPEAL TO THE CHURCH AT CORINTH TO RECEIVE THEM, AND OPEN THEIR HEARTS TO THEM. (VERSE 24)

1. The Apostle exhorts the Corinthians to prove to these messengers so worthy of their confidence, their love.
2. He would have them to prove the truth of the favorable testimony which he had borne to their liberality.
3. This they would do “before the churches,” that is, so the churches which had sent these men may see the proof of their love.

APRIL 17, 2022

AN EXHORTATION TO LIBERALITY

INTRODUCTION:

1. In this and the following chapter the Apostle will be encouraging the church at Corinth to abound in the grace of giving, particularly in their liberality to the poor.
2. In this, Paul would be building upon what he had already begun. He had urged the Corinthians to make collections for the poor Saints at Jerusalem. (I Cor. 16:1) Titus visited Corinth after that letter was written, and made a good start in this work. He now encourages Titus to return to Corinth and complete what he had begun. (Verse 6)
3. He now begs the Corinthians to add this to all their other graces.

I. HE BEGINS BY SETTING BEFORE THEM THE EXAMPLE OF THE GREAT LIBERALITY OF THE CHURCHES OF MACEDONIA. (VERSES 1-6) The amazing generosity of the Philippians, Thessalonians, Bereans, and other churches of Macedonia served as a way to challenge the Corinthians and the Christians in Achaia to greater liberality.

A. THESE CHURCHES ABOUNDED IN THE GRACE OF GIVING, IN SPITE OF ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES. (VERSES 1-3)

1. Notice, the Apostle acquaints them with their great liberality, which he calls “the graces of God bestowed on the churches.” (Verse 1)

a) Christian liberality is due to the operation of the graces of God. The spirit of giving is God’s grace in the giver. The gift given is God’s grace to the recipient.
b) The freest acts of men, when good, are due to the influence of the Spirit of grace with them.

2. In spite of great trials and afflictions, these Christians had abundance of joy in the Lord. (Verse 2a)

a) The church at Thessalonica, for example, received the Word in much affliction, yet their joy was abundant, what Paul calls “the joy of the Holy Ghost.” (I Thess. 1:6)
b) The church at Berea was, in some respects even more noble than the church at Thessalonica.
(Acts 17:11)
c) As for the church at Philippi, the Philippian epistle speaks for itself. (Phil. 1:1-11)

3. In spite of their extreme poverty, these churches gave very largely with the riches of liberality. (Verse 2b)

a) Though in deep poverty, they gave richly, i.e. as if they had been rich.
b) Their example ought to have moved the Corinthians, who by comparison, were rich, to be more generous out of their abundance.

4. So large were their contributions that the apostle says it was not only according to their power but beyond their power. (Verse 3)

B. THESE CHURCHES GAVE LIBERALLY NOT BY CONSTRAINT, BUT WILLINGLY, AND EVEN INSISTENTLY. (VERSES 3b-5)

1. They needed not that Paul should urge them in this matter, but “they were willing of themselves.” (Vs. 3b) So great was their sense of gratitude to God for His unspeakable gift to them that they were compelled to give practical expressions to it.
2. Quite the opposite of needing to be pressed to give, they prayed him with much entreaty to receive the gift. (Verse 4)
3. Beyond the expectation of the apostle, he says “they first gave their own selves to the Lord and to us.”
(Verse 5)

a) “They FIRST gave their own selves to the Lord.” First does not mean first in time, but first in importance and order. (See Acts 15:28; Exod. 14:31)
b) This is the Key to their joy and liberality. The Lord loveth a cheerful giver, because cheerful giving flows from submissive love to Him.
c) To summarize, they gave beyond their power, of their own accord, begging to be allowed to take part in the contribution for the Saints, because they had given themselves to the Lord without reservation.

C. THE CONDUCT OF THE MACEDONIANS LED PAUL TO EXHORT TITUS TO COMPLETE THE WORK WHICH HE HAD BEGUN IN CORINTH. (VERSE 6)

1. Paul had called upon the Corinthians to make collections for the poor Saints. (I Cor. 16:1)
2. Titus visited Corinth after the letter was written, and began the work.
3. Now, moved by the example of the Macedonians, he would have Titus to return and complete the work. He is speaking to a future visit to Corinth by Titus. Rather than, “I desired…” it might be plainer to translate, “I have desired…”

II. HE EXHORTS THE CORINTHIANS TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THEIR MACEDONIAN BRETHREN. (VERSES 7-15)

A. THE ADDITION OF THIS GRACE WOULD BE IN HARMONY WITH OTHER GRACES IN WHICH THE CORINTHIANS ABOUNDED. (VERSES 7, 8)

1. In encouraging them in liberality, the Apostle rightly acknowledges the good things that are in them. This is the proper use of the act of persuasion.
2. The same testimony was borne in favor of the Corinthians in the first epistle. (I Cor. 1:5, 7)
3. Observe here, what it was that the Corinthians abounded in.

a) Faith. The root of all is first mentioned. (Heb. 11:6)
b) Utterance and knowledge are combined here as they are I Cor. 1:5. In both cases logos is rendered utterance. In both cases it may mean doctrine, or Word of truth, or Word of Christ. They were enriched with the gifts of sound doctrine and knowledge. They had Logos, Christian truth, which they apprehended and understood. What a rich gift!!
c) Diligence. A general term for the energy or vigor of spiritual life.
d) Love to us. This expression in Greek is peculiar. “The love which is of you in us,” i.e. your love to us which we cherish in our hearts.

4. What could better complete their character than to abound in the grace of liberality also? “See that ye abound in this grace also.”
5. It was not obedience to his command that Paul desired of them, but rather a spontaneous liberality.
(Verse 8)

a) Charity that comes only from a sense of duty is not properly motivated, “for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (Ch. 9:7)
b) What is not spontaneous is not liberal. Paul would not therefore coerce them by command. His object was to appeal to the genuineness of their love.
c) The real test of genuine love is the course of action to which it leads.

B. THE BEST ARGUMENTS FOR CHRISTIAN DUTY ARE THOSE DRAWN FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST. (VERSE 9)

1. The example of the Macedonians was such as should be imitated, but it is the example of the Lord Jesus Christ that constrains us.
2. The churches of Macedonia were a wonderful example, in that, they gave their own selves, and they gave freely of what they had. Yet, their giving cannot be compared to that of our Lord in any respect. He gave Himself as no other living being ever could have. His gift is infinite because he is infinite. His sacrifice is of inestimable value. Paul’s words in Verse 9 really need no further explanation. They say at all.

C. ANOTHER MEANS OF ENCOURAGEMENT IS TAKEN FROM THEIR OWN GOOD PURPOSE WHICH THEY HAD BEGUN ALREADY. (VERSES 10-12)

1. Good resolutions and purposes are good things, but they are lost and mean nothing without performance. How many well–intentioned Christians there are who have made resolutions respecting this very thing, but have not followed through? How many have begun well, only to become hindered in some way?
2. The Corinthians had manifested a readiness to will, and had proceeded to go forward. Now the Apostle offers his advice, that they follow on to the full performance of what they had begun a year ago.
3. A willing mind is accepted of God when accompanied with sincere endeavors to perform the resolution.
(Verse 12)

D. PAUL ARGUES HIS POINT ON THE BASIS OF THEIR ABILITY. (VERSES 13-15)

1. Concerning the ability to give, divine providence had been much more favorable to the Corinthians than to the Macedonians. Yet, in their liberality, they had come behind their brethren in Macedonia.

a) Providence gives to some more good things of this world, and to some less. The design is that those with more may help supply those who are in want.
b) In the church it is too often the case that those who have greater abundance give less than those who have far less.

2. It is the will of God that there should be some sort of equality. That is, there should be an equitable proportion observed. The burden should not lie to heavy on some, while others are wholly eased.
(Verses 13, 14)
3. This is illustrated by the gathering and distributing of Manna in the wilderness. (Exod. 16:16-18)