(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
CORINTH: RICH GREEK CITY/STATE
(Acts 18:1 [KJV])
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
(Acts 18:8 [KJV])
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
(Acts 19:1,2 [KJV])
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He
said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
(2 Corinthians 1:1,2 [KJV])
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are
in all Achaia: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call
upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
(2 Corinthians 1:23 [KJV])
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
(2 Corinthians 6:11 [KJV])
O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
(2 Timothy 4:20 [KJV])
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Lots of good, fresh water
Lots of good, arable soil
Lots of good clay for ceramics, pottery, etc., hence "Corinthian Pottery"
Shops, fountains, carved stone temples to the Greek gods, porticos, metal workshops abounded
As a part of a major shipping lane, Corinth has four ports, on the Gulf of Corinth, between two seas
A temple to Apollo was there
Another temple was one to Aphrodite, an acropolis known as Acrocorinth, that supplied prostitutes for the seafaring men, which made it a rich city
Perusing the two letters Paul wrote to them, it is obvious that they were apostate and backslidden.
2 CORINTHIANS 8: GIVING TO THE MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS
(2 Corinthians 8:1 [KJV])
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
"To do" here means we request, we want or we command is all, nothing complicated,
So Paul and his companions wanted them to know grace and the things God gave to the churches in Macedonia, now today Yugoslavia, changed a lot the last 500 years or so because of wars, then Asia Minor
Grace is bestowed, not earned
Later in this chapter, verses following, it is grace in the form of financial relief
(2 Corinthians 8:2 [KJV])
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
God accepts a widow's mite and can use it
Whatever we can give, God can use
What is that mite given in Macedonia two thousand years ao got someone saved who continued that ministry and, eventually, you and I got saved through the same preaching, a thosand, two thousand years later, through the passage of the gospel message?
(Mark 12:41-44 [KJV])
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
(Luke 21:2-4 [KJV])
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
(2 Corinthians 8:3 [KJV])
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
They trusted in God, not themselves, not their money, not even counting it as their own money
In their deep poverty, begging Paul and his teeam to take their money.
if one goes to a third world country on a missions trip today, this is what they experience, people feeding you, cooking for you, who barely can survive on what they can find to eat
(2 Corinthians 8:4 [KJV])
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Begging Paul and his disciples to "please take this small amount and use it for the work of God, for God's Glory"
Participating in the work in any way, any capacity, in front or behind the scenes, is a kind of fellowship in the church
This includes cleaning toilets, sinks, floors and walls, greeting, caring for the elderly, teaching children, mowing lawns, repairing cars and homes and buildings, visiting the sick
This is at the fellowship building and at people's homes, privately, not for others to view, just to serve
(Mark 10:37-45 [KJV])
They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
(2 Corinthians 8:5 [KJV])
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
The purpose of giving, offering is for the LORD first, then to others
Paul here will use this as an example to disciple them, to teach them how to also give, sacrifice, minister
It must always be understood that our giving is really just extending God's grace to others given by Him to us
It must always further be understood that There is always going to be someone worse off that we are in this world
Just go on a missionary trip to a fourht world country and you will personally witness that
(2 Corinthians 8:6 [KJV])
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
As the work of God, the ministry of the saints, never ends, so does not the giving need to continue it
Titus was the person carrying that gift to Paul and his helpers, and they like and had trusted him before, so nothing was holding them back
(2 Corinthians 8:7 [KJV])
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
Giving is ministry and fellowship, helping financially is partaking
Every little, tiniest, wee, least bit helps, because God multiplies loaves, fishes, offerings
(Luke 6:38 [KJV])
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
(Proverbs 10:22 [KJV])
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
(Luke 21:3-4 [KJV])
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
(2 Corinthians 8:8 [KJV])
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Reading Paul's epistles, it becomes apparent that he says these things for their sake, for their good, to show them that they benefit, get rewarded, also
(2 Corinthians 8:9 [KJV])
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
We got rich because of the switch
Our LORD Jesus Christ did not have to do this; it was by grace He did it, for us
(2 Corinthians 8:10-11 [KJV])
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
For a year they were probably saying they would take up a collection and send it to Paul and his ministry brothers, and had not done it
Let your yes be yes, let your no be no
As they say today, "Talk is cheap"
(James 5:12 [KJV])
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
(Matthew 5:34-37 [KJV])
But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
(2 Corinthians 8:12 [KJV])
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
Whatever we can give, we should, and God accepts for the work of God
Remember the widow's mite, which was all she could give, how that was the same to God as the wealthy man's donation of a millions dollars who has a billion dollars
We give because we trust God to take car of us
We give because it helps others who need it
We give knowing it reaps rewards eternally
We give for God's sake, ultimately, not for show, not to feel better
(2 Corinthians 8:13-15 [KJV])
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
This is Exodus sixteen, where they grumbled against God Who was testing them, and got quail and manna
They were in the wilderness, had to trust God; they did not, they were still taken care of, with no more, with no less than they needed
(Exodus 16:16-18 [KJV])
This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
MANNA
Manna means, "What IS THIS?"
Sweet and filling, like God was to be to them-and us now
They were to gather just enough for the day, and the same the next day, not keeping or storing any, trusting God would provide more every morning
Some stored extra, think faithlessly that God would not provide enoug for the next day, or none at all, and that rotted, stank, had worms
That lesson for them and us is that God provides DAILY what we need, whether we have a refrigerator, dehydrator or not, if we trust Him, if He so wills, because it is up to Him, we merely do the
work of ranching, farming, working, buying from the store today, the work of gathering, trusting Him
The day before their Sabbath, the sixth day then, they were commanded by Moses to gather for two days, to bake, seethe enough for the next day so that it does not go bad on the Sabbath day
When God told them to store it-not until-it lasted forty years. The difference? God
Some went on the Sabbath to find manna and did not, like God said, which made Moses angry
When the children of Israel grumbled against God over that, they were sent quail to eat
They grumbled again at that and God slew their "best and brightest" for their lack of faith, grumbling
Being fed manna sustained them only physically, as Jesus said. They needed spiritual manna to live forever, which is the Bread of Life, the LORD Jesus Christ
(Exodus 16:15 [KJV])
And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.
(Exodus 16:31 [KJV])
And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
(Exodus 16:33 [KJV])
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
(Exodus 16:35 [KJV])
And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.
(Numbers 11:6 [KJV])
But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.
(Numbers 11:7 [KJV])
And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.
(Numbers 11:9 [KJV])
And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.
(Deuteronomy 8:3 [KJV])
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
(Deuteronomy 8:16 [KJV])
Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
(Joshua 5:12 [KJV])
And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
(Nehemiah 9:20 [KJV])
Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
(Psalms 78:24 [KJV])
And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
(John 6:31 [KJV])
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
(John 6:49 [KJV])
Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
(John 6:58 [KJV])
This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
(Hebrews 9:4 [KJV])
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
(Revelation 2:17 [KJV])
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
(2 Corinthians 8:16 [KJV])
But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
While Titus was a traveling preacher, discipler, evangelist, he had only givings, offerings, but could reciprocate in giving them spiritual gifts back
And that is due to the grace of God, given thanks here
EARNEST, a. ern'est.
Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain; having a longing desire; warmly engaged or incited. They are never more earnest to disturb us, than when they see us most earnest in this duty.
Ardent; warm; eager; zealous; animated; importunate; as earnest in love; earnest in prayer.
Intent; fixed. On that prospect strange their earnest eyes were fixed.
Serious; important; that is, really intent or engaged; whence the phrase, in earnest. To be in earnest, is to be really urging or stretching towards an object; intent on a pursuit. Hence, from fixed attention, comes the sense of seriousness in the pursuit, as opposed to trifling or jest. Are you in earnest or in jest?
EARNEST, n. ern'est. Seriousness; a reality; a real event; as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance. Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest. And given in earnest what I begg'd in jest.
1. First fruits; that which is in advance, and gives promise of something to come. Early fruit may be an earnest of fruit to follow. The first success in arms may be an earnest of future success. The christian's peace of mind in this life is an earnest of future peace and happiness. Hence earnest or earnest-money is a first payment or deposit giving promise or assurance of full payment. Hence the practice of giving an earnest to ratify a bargain. This sense of the word is primary, denoting that which goes before, or in advance. Thus the earnest of the spirit is given to saints, as a pledge or assurance of their future enjoyment of God's presence and favor.
(2 Corinthians 8:17 [KJV])
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
Asking for charity, alms, gifts is very hard, so this step was a brave one for sure
It was done because it had to be done
EXHORTA'TION, n. The act or practice of exhorting; the act of inciting to laudable deeds; incitement to that which is good or commendable.
The form of words intended to incite and encourage.
Advice; counsel.
(2 Corinthians 8:18 [KJV])
And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
A fellow worker, unnamed, perhaps Apollos, who had been in reputation and good standing with Paul
Whoever it was, the "whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches" means a lot, as opposed to his praise being from men or the world
It can mean that the gospel was spread throughout all the churches, or the praise of the gospel being believed throughout all the churches
This worker was a servant who brought praise to Christ, not himself
(2 Corinthians 8:19-20 [KJV])
And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
Apparently some were claiming that they were going to churches to fleece them, to make money, perhaps thinking this because because some were rich there
He informs them that this giving is abundance which is to be considered "grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:"
Not greed, not stealing, no other motive but for their good and the good of others who would get the donations and the gospel
It is how a proper ministry is run
Above Paul mentions their abundance of their affliction and deep poverty, yet still giving
(2 Corinthians 8:21 [KJV])
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
All of this was done to be above reproach, blameless, like the qualifications given by God through Paul in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3
If we lies, steal, do anything for personal gain, etc. our testimony is ruined, with both believers and unbelievers
QUALIFIED IN THE SIGHT OF GOD, AND MEN
(1 Timothy 3:1-13 [KJV])
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(Titus 1:6-16 [KJV])
If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
(2 Corinthians 8:22-23 [KJV])
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
In summary, "You can trust Titus and other with him with the offering, donations", as he has proven himself faithful over and over
"He and those with him are on my side and you trust me, so trust them. I do. With all money, gifts."
(2 Corinthians 8:24 [KJV])
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Paul told people that the Corinthians were generous, so he wanted them to show how correct this was
This is true for all of us. Which is why boasting in and of itself by ourselves, about ourselves and not others boasting about us instead leads to problems
You can say you have the ability to do something, you say you do it all of the time, so best to make sure that that is true, because your sin will find you out
Israel was like this with Moses
BOASTING, CHALLENGED
(Numbers 32:16-23 [KJV])
And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward. And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.
But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
