Moreover, {1} brethren, we do you to wit of the {a} grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

(1) The sixth part of this epistle containing different exhortations to stir up the Corinthians to liberality, with which the poverty of the church of Jerusalem might be helped at an appropriate time. And first of all he sets before them the example of the churches of Macedonia, which otherwise were brought by great misery to extreme poverty, so that the Corinthians should follow them.

(a) The benefit that God bestowed upon the Corinthians.

People's New Testament

8:1 The Grace of Giving

SUMMARY OF II CORINTHIANS 8:

The Liberality of the Macedonian Brethren. Exhortation to the Corinthians to Abound in the Same Grace. The Example of Christ. The Spiritual Blessing of Liberal Giving. Titus and Another Brother Sent to Corinth to Aid and Encourage. Them.

We do you to wit of the grace of God. We make known to you the grace of God (Revised Version). Paul now introduces the great collection of which he spoke in 1Co 16:1 Ro 15:26. See also Ac 11:29 24:17:00 It had always been the custom of the Jews in foreign lands to send up to Jerusalem contributions for the temple treasury, but Paul urges the contributions for God's spiritual temple, the poor saints. The mother church was in need and the abundance of the saints elsewhere was to be her supply. The cause of the destitution of the Jerusalem Christians is easily found in the times. Famine had stricken the land, this had been followed by the troubles and unsettled state of affairs which were leading to the Jewish war. The uneasiness of the public mind, as well as the tumults, disturbed business and labor. The result would necessarily be close times and destitution. The lessons of this great collection is that distance does not diminish the claims of suffering brethren for help.

Churches of Macedonia. The Roman province of Macedonia embraced all Grecian countries north of the province of Achaia. The churches of Philippi, Thessalonians, and Berea, founded by Paul, and probably many others, were in this province.

Wesley's Notes

8:1 We declare to you the grace of God - Which evidently appeared by this happy effect.

Scofield Reference Notes

[1] Moreover

In 2Cor. 8., 9., the apostle sums up the Christian doctrine of giving. It may be thus summarized:

(1) It is a "grace," i.e. a disposition created by the Spirit 2Cor 8:7

(2) In contrast with the law, which imposed giving as a divine requirement, Christian giving is voluntary, and a test of sincerity and love 2Cor 8:8-12 9:1,2,5,7

(3) The privilege is universal, belonging, according to ability, to rich and poor 2Cor 8:1-3,12-15 1Cor 16:1,2.

(4) Giving is to be proportioned to income 2Cor 8:12-14 1Cor 16:2. The O.T. proportion was the tithe, a proportion which antedates the law Gen 14:20.

(5) The rewards of Christian giving are

(a) joy 2Cor 8:2

(b) increased ability to give in proportion to that which has been already given 2Cor 9:7-11

(c) increased thankfulness to God 2Cor 9:12

(d) God and the Gospel glorified 2Cor 9:13,14

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 8

2Co 8:1-24. The Collection for the Saints; the Readiness of the Macedonians a Pattern to the Corinthians; Christ the Highest Pattern; Each Is to Give Willingly after His Ability; Titus and Two Others Are the Agents Accredited to Complete the Collection.

1. we do you to wit-we make known to you.

the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia-Their liberality was not of themselves naturally, but of God's grace bestowed on them, and enabling them to be the instrument of God's "grace" to others (2Co 8:6, 19). The importance given in this Epistle to the collection, arose as well from Paul's engagement (Ga 2:10), as also chiefly from his hope to conciliate the Judaizing Christians at Jerusalem to himself and the Gentile believers, by such an act of love on the part of the latter towards their Jewish brethren.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:1-6 The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the Macedonians. So far from needing that Paul should urge them, they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we use or lay out for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we give for charitable uses, will not be accepted of God, nor turn to our advantage, unless we first give ourselves to the Lord. By ascribing all really good works to the grace of God, we not only give the glory to him whose due it is, but also show men where their strength is. Abundant spiritual joy enlarges men's hearts in the work and labour of love. How different this from the conduct of those who will not join in any good work, unless urged into it!