The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 208

mie11pproprl11tlon, Hence he secured that Titus and two others should be appointed as trustees, so to speak, of the fund, to take charge of it and to carry it to the destined quarter, Of those three Christian men Paul speaks in terms of notable commendation, He terms them- I. His OWN ABB0OIATEB. The expressions used with this intent are three in number, 1. They are partners, engaged in the same work, under the same Master, and with the expectation of a. similar reward, with himself. 2. They are fellow-workers, each having his own faculty, his own implement, for labour, but all co-operating to the one end, 3. 'l'bey 11re brethren; i.e. bound together by a personal tie, a. spiritual kindred, in the Christian family and household of faith. 'l'hese expressions involve a. deep and lasting attachment, such as should unite those who are engaged in one and the same service rendered to the one great Master. II. MEBBENGERB OF THE CHURCHES. The expression in the original is very stron"'. They are apostles; i.e. sent forth by the congregation as their representatives a;d 1\leuipotentiaries. This gives a. special dignity to the office and work of accredited servants of the body of Christ, and therefore of Christ himself. III. THE GL0DY OF CIIRIST. There is something mystical, something difficult to expound, in this epithet. It certainly implies that these faithful men were exalted to a position of very high honour, and were looked upon as related very closely to the Lord himself. Certainly it was to the glory of the Redeemer that a. new principle of benevolence was introduced into human society, impelling the Gentile of Europe to display a practical interest in the welfare of the Jew of Palestine. Here was exhibited a moral glory radiating from Christ himself, before which the world might well bow down in wonder, admiration, and reverence.-T. Vers. 1-7.-Apattern of charity. The charity commended is that of the Mace- donian Churches, I. THEY GAVE UNDER VERY UNFAVOURABLE ClllCUMSTA.'fCES. 1. They wei·e in much affliction. (Ver. 2.) '!'his might have suggested special care of themselves rather than of others. Suffering often produces selfishness. Our pain often prevents us from realizing the pains of others. 2. They were in deep poverty. (Ver. 2.) How could they give? Charity must begin at home, andl does not "deep poverty" demonstrate that it must·end there? How inconsiderate, and indeed absurd, to ask them to give! Was it not their duty to be provident? to hold some reserve in store against possibly worse times? No people talk more of duty than those who intend to violate it. The Macedonians saw the high duty of charity, and nobly performed that duty. II. THOUGH AFFLICTED AND POOR, THEY GAVE LARGELY. (Ver. 3.) Their danger •was not that they might give too little, but that they might give too mnch. "Beyond their power." Affliction and poverty combined could not cramp their large-heartedness. Many ask how little they can give ; the Macedonian Christians asked how much. A modern curse of the Church is small giving. There are too many threepenny-bit Christians. III. THEY GAVE VOLUNTARILY. (Ver. 3.) Compulsory kindness is of little worth. And there are other compulsions than physical. "Voluntary offerings" are often any- thing but voluntary. IV. THEY GA VE WITHOUT URGENT APPEAL. They gave .. of their own accord." They did not require the importunities of a" collection sermon." They required only to know of the need; the charity was spontaneous. V. THEY DEGGED FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF GIVING. (Ver. 4.) They longed to help, and supplicated for a share of the good work. Giving, t•) them, was a privilege-a gain, not a loss. Giving was not a thing to be e,\•oided, but a thing to be sought. Perhaps they remembered the words of the Lord," It is more blessed to give than to receive." Had they given in an assembly it would not have been necessary to have the collection in the middle of the meeting to avoid a stampede and empty plates 11t the close. Much giving of to-day is not an illustration of charity, but a burlesque of it. VI. 'l'HEIY GAVE WITH MUCH JOY. (Ver. 2.) They reaped the firstfruits of charity at the time of the seed-sowing I Such are the wonders of spiritual agriculture. The grudging giver defrauds no one so much as himself. To miss the joy of giving is to miss how much! 'l'hcre are few luxuries so sweet &S the luxury of charity,  208 THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [on. vm. 1-24.