In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. In 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 and 9:1-5, Paul shows that the Church at Corinth had been previously gathering a gift to help the poor believers in Jerusalem. Your email address will not be published.
Based on Acts, it appears Paul wants to deliver the gift at Pentecost as a kind of first fruits from his harvest among the Gentiles. The ancient kingdom of Macedonia (sometimes called Macedon) was a crossroads between Mediterranean and . (5) And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. Dion flourished at the close of the first. Other less affluent churches such as those in Macedonia had already given generously so the Corinthians must give as well. Louw
Si revtxpordtovs, Kal ifxa fiir lirxypovi and the beginning of the second cen. no. If you consider the poor people around you today, you will notice that their values are closer to kingdom values. I also think this verse is now a good verse to use to encourage in general. The old Macedonian spirit of independence showed itself in a factious self-assertion, a contempt for authority, to which the Apostle is constrained to draw attention with a significant and emphatic iteration4. 2 Corinthians 8:2. Or. Paul mentioned the. Starting at 8 a.m. i. Found in the second part of verse 5: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. The Macedonian church GAVE THEMSELVES to the Lord firstwhich is why they responded with such generosity to Gods people in Jerusalem. Thus standing sufficiently wide apart from each other and commanding three separate districts, they recommended themselves to the Apostle by their geographical position, as good missionary centres. The term Macedonian Church may refer to: - in general, any Church in the historical region of Macedonia, including: Church in ancient (Roman and Byzantine) province of Macedonia (see: Metropolitanate of Macedonia, centered in Thessaloniki) - within Eastern Orthodoxy: Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric, an Eastern Orthodox . The remarkable thing about the Macedonian Churches, the thing which made them a model to other Churches, was that they so nobly responded to the grace that rested upon them, and acted in so earnest and self-sacrificing a manner. Paul was raising money to help the Christians in Jerusalem, who were very poor. The Romans took most of their wealth when they conquered this former homeland of Alexander the Great. p. 313). The Poverty of the Macedonians - Bible Hub Theremayhow- (Acts xvii. The Chronology of St Paul's Life and Epistles. It is not probable that St Paul on any subsequent occasion preached in other Macedonian towns. ], ditus see Philippians pp. p. 330 A 'ek Tov MaKeSoviKOv xal fient K.t.\. 6).
'In steadfast resistance to the public enemy under whatever name, in unshaken fidelity towards their native country and thenhereditary government, and in persevering courage amidst the severest trials, no nation in ancient history bears so close a resemblance to the Roman people as the Macedonians; and the almost miraculous regeneration of the state after the Gallic invasion redounds to the imperishable honour of its leaders and of the people whom they led. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2020-25 All rights reservedWealth With Purpose Pty Ltd. Our most popular webinar is free to CW readers! Because some of the head church members in Corinth were high-status and wealthy people (Longenecker gives the potential examples of Gaius, Stephanas, Crispus, and Erastus), perhaps they had heightened awareness and knowledge of the shady side of economics, and so perhaps were more suspicious of Paul, which spread to other members. What is Paul doing with this money? shows, many of the Corinthians had allowed false
During Pauls second stay in Corinth he arranged for the Collection to be brought to Jerusalem (Romans 15:22-29; Acts 20:1-6). While Western Europe was going through processes of Church Reformation, and enjoying the flourishing of science, art, economy, and so on. 505; cf. In Greek, the word. Spirit, after originally receiving the right Gospel,
If the pastor was using this passage to advocate the church members to donate money for another church then yes, this passage does fit. Compared to the churches in Macedonia, they are wealthy and have not experienced any persecution which would have resulted in a similar kind of poverty. {
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i. and Nida, page 763. The church today still supports other churches. 8 Acts xix. Church of Rome8. This is not a bribe to the apostles or a payment to them to remain an apostle, but a way to demonstrate the way God has been working among the Gentiles. As well as, compared to the churches in Macedonia, the church in Corinth was wealthy and had never experienced any persecution which would have resulted in a similar kind of poverty (Long). Besides, even if Philippi was not the chief town of the district, it was a place of great importance, and would command the Eastern districts better than Amphipolis.
He had made the language of Greece a common instrument of communication throughout the civilised world. Indicating to me that even in desperate straits the Jesus cult was not at all willing to go along with Pauls dismissal of (attacks against) the requirements of the Torah. In 2 Corinthians chapter 8 Paul encourages the Corinthians to give towards a collection for poor Jesus-followers in Jerusalem. They supported the apostle Paul when he preached in Corinth and other places (2 Corinthians 11:8,9; Philippians 4:15,16). In 2
29, xx. O41a Si dadfreis, THE GIVING OF THE MACEDONIAN SAINTS - Klang Church Of Christ Five Lessons from the Parable of the Talents, 5 Ways to Prevent Money from Ruining Your Marriage. 11 where he is coupled with Mark and Jesus oalled Justus, as being 'of the circumcision.' God's providence has destined him for a nobler mission-field. page 728. Since this collection was unprecedented, it would have looked very suspicious to outsiders. 17 and resumed * 1 Tim. 2 Tim. Many members of the Corinthian church lived with a significant level of financial security and most likely made a large contribution to Pauls mission (Longenecker, 157). Vine,
The world has changed today, similarly to how honor and shame are not as valued a virtue. This is the highest estimate I have seen, and I suspect some mistake in the numbers. and Nida, page 687. ii. Attempting to diverge on either side, he is checked and kept in the direct path. . var k='dot Net\"'
iii. ever have been some confusion with the 4 [On the question of lost letters of, Gaius of Acts xix. Yet, for the members of the Corinthian church this commandment and encouragement did not appear to be of importance. 8) is still applicable to read as an encouragement to giving and shows that giving is important, the way that Paul gets the Corinthian churches to give would not be effective with modern churches. of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Paul praised all the
Now, at length, the completion of his great design, though very different, no doubt, from that which he himself had contemplated, was drawing near. And yet there, tioned next to Aristarchus the Thes- must have been sufficient wealth both. Another Macedonian, Gaius, is mentioned as St Paul's companion in the tumult at Ephesus10, unless indeed (as is possible, though hardly probable) he is to be identified with Epaphroditus1. abounded in everything in faith, in speech,
The historical connexion of Macedonia with Syria and Palestine was of some centuries standing, and the Syrian cities of Edessa and Berrhoea, which had far outstripped their older namesakes, not to mention the Palestinian town of Pella, testify to the intimate relationship between the countries. Just like the church in Thessalonica, many churches today are planted in . no. Louw
tion was a Corinthian. Therefore in 2 Corinthians
[7]
In Philippi, the first European city which he visited, was perpetuated the memory of the monarch, who, by organizing the armies of Macedonia and establishing the supremacy of his country over Greece, prepared the way for the vast projects of Oriental conquest carried out by his greater son. [4]
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Sources: ESV Study Bible P. Long, Dr. Bible 403: Pauline Literature and Theology (class notes). giving of the Corinthians. Bauer,
Your email address will not be published. Its no surprise that Paul faced challenges when making sure the church of Corinth were doing what the Lord had called them to do. Second, they had abundant joy, even though they were afflicted. But the better side also of the Macedonian character5 made itself felt in the converts gained for Christianity from that region. 61, 62.] He now occupied the ground which from its geographical position was the natural high road between the East and the West, and was mixing with that people whose mission it had been to fuse the whole civilised world, to bring the arts and intelligence of Greece and the political capacities of Rome into alliance with the nobler spiritual instincts and sublimer theological conceptions of Asiaabove all, with the one specially revealed religion of Palestineand thus to pioneer the way for the Gospel. Though there was no regular synagogue here, there was, as we have seen, a nucleus of Jews, and in this respect Amphipolis would offer no greater facilities, for there certainly was no synagogue there. Galatians: Freedom through Gods Grace (Wipf & Stock, 2019). The
Paul didnt pressure these people into giving their money rather he gave an example of how donating to the poor is taking care of Gods people. Also the importance of not just giving money but in different ways because sometimes we arent able to give financially but there are plenty of other ways to give for example giving your time to others in need just volunteering is a good way to help out. I always find the original Greek word and its meaning/definition fascinating to compare to the English translation. Bauer,
This was the key. Louw
This church knew what would touch Gods heart. and did not abound. Paul was writing to new church communities who did not have to set aside funds for its building nor provide money for their leaders. Long has taught full time at Grace Christian University since 1998, specializing in Bible and Biblical languages. Ibid,
The Greco-Roman world used a system of public benefaction to help the poor, but there was nothing like a modern fund-raiser where people solicit money to be distributed to the poor. and Nida, page 581. The Churches of Macedonia - Bible Study Tools 1:11-13, 3:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 12:20). For from you the word of the Lord has
1. 34 ipxiluda eli T6\w rfis MaxtioWos Bipout v fieyakri>i ml ird\vAiidpurov), and would have been very ill-chosen as a lurking place, since there was a Jewish synagogue there, which doubtless kept up constant communication with that of Thessalonica, as the result seems to show. in. Thirdly, we find several Macedonian Christians in more or less constant attendance upon St Paul.
But the Philippians, Thessalonians and
The incidents, which ushered it in, spoke significantly to himself and his fellow-labourers; and, in St Luke's record, they stand out in bold relief. He can have been no mere selfish tyrant or vain profligate, who when advised by the wisest philosopher of the day to treat the Greeks as free subjects, the Orientals as slaves, repudiated the narrow counsels of his teacher, declaring that he had been 'sent by God to unite, pacify, and reconcile the whole world'.' Matthew 6:20, Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that we should store up our riches in heaven. 5 Acts xvii. [8]
There they were in deep poverty, facing great trials of affliction, and all they did was step up and contribute beyond their ability. Phillip J.
Vine,
Boeckh C. I. G. in. As you put, this is not a bribe to the apostles or a payment to them to remain an apostle, but a way to demonstrate the way God has been working among the Gentiles. Offerings today help pay for a pastors paycheck, as society today has deemed it appropriate for one to make this their living. We may well suppose, though we have no direct evidence, that the like spirit prevailed at home, and that the Jews were at least protected, if they were not encouraged, by the rulers of Macedonia.
Generosity Express is our rapid learning generosity course where each day for 23 days, you can watch one of our high impact videos (3 10 minutes) designed to help you create a Church of genuine, God honouring Stewards passionate about multiplying Gods Kingdom! abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded
Certainly, one category is set aside for the poor, but other categories go towards maintaining the building, and to pay the pastors. What is the history and significance of the church at Thessalonica When Turkish rule ended following the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, southern Continued To my knowledge, ancient churches were often hosted within someones house, which also varies to modern dwellings. 8 Acts xix. reveals, Paul first preached the Gospel at Philippi
also 2 Thess. Bibliography: D. J. Downs, The Collection in 2 Corinthians in Martin, 2 Corinthians (Second Edition); Witherington, Acts, 429; Bruce Winter, Acts and Food Shortages in The Book of Acts in its Greco-Roman Setting, 2: 59-78. Their action also reminds us that in the specific matter of giving, a child of God can continue to give to the Lord even when he/she is facing trials. Everything that we have been given has been given to us by God, and because he has given it to us, we should be wanting to give it back to him. 3, 1). believers at Antioch gave according to their ability
With them, their heart went first and their generous contribution followed. They are so closely linked together in the circumstances of their foundation, and present so many features in common, that it is especially instructive to consider them together. Follow Gods way and begin to plant your life and become the first faithful steward, then let God take over! As time goes on we read that Paul eventually takes faith in the people of Corinth to give faithfully and give unto the Lord without being asked. Lesson 7: Generosity from Joy Overflowing (2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15) 1:4 and 1:11, Paul mentioned the, Macedonia and Achaia
St Paul's communications with the Macedonian Churches were very close and frequent. said: Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the
In both he opens his letter with a heartfelt thanksgiving expressed in terms of highest commendation. See Philippians p. But the context of 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15 reveals the prosperous Corinthian Church had lost its zeal for giving this gift.
was only a few individuals at Philippi who were
On his third missionary journey again the Apostle sends Timotheus and Erastus into Macedonia8. And when again we read of the taunts levelled at the Macedonian king by narrower-minded Greeks, because he strove to conciliate the Oriental peoples whom he had vanquished, by conforming to their dress and habits as matters of indifference1, we seem to trace the shadow of that large-hearted policy of the Apostle of the Gentiles, who in a like spirit, but with a nobler aim, braved the fierce hatred of his countrymen, consenting to be reviled as a subverter of the laws and institutions of his fathers, and, himself a Jew, became as a Greek to the Greeks that he might win them to Christ*. We recall what Jesus said about a woman that gave only two coins (which was all she had): Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all (Luke 21:3). In We may imagine that the people still retained something of those simpler habits and that sturdier character, which triumphed over Greeks and Orientals in the days of Philip and Alexander, and thus in the early warfare of the Christian Church the Macedonian phalanx offered a successful resistance to the assaults of an enemy, before which the lax and enervated ranks of Asia and Achaia had yielded ignominiously. Giving to the poor was not like it is today: the poor would receive alms, but no one ever gathered money like a charity organization to distribute it among the poor. about the strong faith of the Thessalonians. var d='@'
10; Philemon 24. June 12, 2022 In ancient times, Macedonia was part of a greater country called Macedonia. TRUTH is published monthly by the Klang church of Christ in order to help educate, edify, encourage, and equip the saints of God. The rapid and prosperous voyage to the European shores seemed the presage of a comiDg triumph1. * On the name Demas see the refer- rian irurro\yi cf. 4, xxvii. Rarely do we get to connect with the people being served meaning that if the deliverer of the message messes it up, those who are struggling will not get support. translation of the Scriptures, by the building of the Temple at Leontopolis and by the large Jewish population at Alexandria. ET on EWTN: Holy Mass and Rosary on Thursday, June 22, 2023 [Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop; Saints John Fisher, Bishop, and Thomas. regularly practicing the sins which 2 Corinthians
and Nida, page 687. This church was experiencing severe trials, and persecution, they were one of the poorest, and yet, they still chose to be generous towards the needy brothers in Jerusalem. A success unparalleled in his previous career both in extent and durability crowns his preaching in the first European city. that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their
We all have a radically generous God. potentially in Christ. But, to me, the most striking fact about the collection is that ultimately it was rejected by the apostles and church in Jerusalem. Paul emphasizes their poorness as a way to shame the richer Corinthians but also as a way to boast about what the Macedonians are doing (2 Cor 8:2-5,8,10-12;9:2-4). The Qaiua however in ques- donian Christians we must add Jason. Alexander had not entertained this grand purpose in vain. out, so that we do not need to say anything.. During the imprisonment at Rome, this intercourse is of the most intimate character. In the same way that the rich young ruler was disheartened when Jesus told him that he must give up what he has to follow Christ, perhaps the Corinthian church found it difficult to part with the money that had gained them so much public honor. Corinthian believers later accepted a false gospel, a
Though this might have been a shock to those who were present at the time due to their lack of understanding. iv. document.write(a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j+k+l+m+n)
3:6-15. This attempt is as futile as the former. O T PAUL'S first visit to Macedonia was the dawn of a new ^ era in the development of the Christian Church.
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