Thursday, June 11, 2026

2 Corinthians 8: Gentile Offerings to Jerusalem

One year before, the Corinthians had a plan to offer money to the church of Jerusalem; but this plan wasn't being conducted and Paul had to revive it. One argument is that communion means to help one other falls and vice-versa:

10-20 So here’s what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands. This isn’t so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even. As it is written,
Nothing left over to the one with the most,
Nothing lacking to the one with the least.

Paul explained how the offerings should be collected and how Titus and other two friends would take care of it. In fact, we understand that Paul and others carried the offering to Jerusalem and delivered it to leaders of the church in Jerusalem around Acts 21. Paul was always eager to see Jews and gentiles united due to the Messiah's sacrifice.

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