2 Corinthians chapter 8

vs 13

The point of this gift to Jerusalem is not to make that church rich while bankrupting Corinth. It is to use some of Corinth's extra resources to meet immediate needs of Jerusalem, like food. Yes, the verse says equality, but the definition of equality isn't what we'd think today.

vs 14

Part of the idea of equality is an equality of supply. The Corinthians have a material surplus, which could benefit the Jerusalem, and in turn the Jerusalem church has a spiritual surplus, which could benefit the somewhat materialistic Corinth.

vs 15

But Paul's biblical idea of equality is that everyone has enough. Not that everyone has the same, but that everyone has enough. I remember when I first read this verse, it sort of knocked my wind out. You get this feeling, especially in the gospels, that Christianity is a very socialist religion. But propositionally, this is not a socialist statement. But it's not a capitalist statement either. Capitalism, I hate to say, actually needs to make people poorer. But socialism doesn't tend to allow rich people to stay rich. It's not equality in the modern sense, where everyone has the same, or even equality of outcomes (the socialist alternative) where everyone ends up better off. It's allowing for some sort of restitution to those who are poor, but not at the expense of those who are rich. Notice that it doesn't say those who have much will have ample, it says too much. So they're still allowed to have much. An inequality still exists. And you could almost say that such an inequality is built into the system. But there it is.

vs 16

God's concern seems to have pervaded his workers. That's nice.

vs 17

So Titus had this thought independent of Paul, and thought "Hey, I should get over to Corinth and drum up some support for the Jerusalem church."

vs 18

Who's that? We might find out later. Nice title though.

vs 19

This as yet unnamed person was specifically chosen by the churches for such a job, so he is obviously fairly well trusted. This gift fund is administered why? For God's honour, but also to express the eagerness to help the Jerusalem church. It's not so people say "Oh, wow, Paul's so cool" but so that they know he loves them.

vs 20

And, as always, Paul is doing everything he can not to be criticised. Does that stop criticism? No. But he tries.

vs 21

Paul knows that when it comes to things like money, you've got to do it right, because the quickest way to get people to not trust you is to be untrustworthy with money. But of course, Paul also wants to be seen as doing the right thing before God. But for that, God can read his heart. We have to look at his actions.

vs 22

I guess this is the unnamed guy mentioned earlier? He certainly seems highly esteemed, and he too esteems the Corinthians with good confidence. Everyone is enthusiastic about what the Corinthians are going to bring to the party.

vs 23

This is Paul's own commendation to the Corinthians for these people, no doubt to give them confidence in those who are administering the gift. Titus of course is known to them, and is trusted deeply by Paul. The others are representative of the churches of Asia and Europe, probably, and so are as respectable as anyone from any church, and probably want to be involved in the proper handling and passing on of this gift.

vs 24

And so, now, when the giving boat comes around to Corinth, Paul wants the Corinthians to show just how good they are, and to show that his pride in them is well placed. I assume it was.