Reflections on the liberality of the Macedonians. 441 xiii. 2 Cor. 14 But by an But that of an equality, on just and equitable SECT. equality, that now principles, your abundance [may be] at this time, at this time your wisely and happily employed, as [a supply] to abundance may be a supply for their want, their want: that at some other time, if Provi- viii. 14 that their abundance dence give the occasion and opportunity, their also may be a supply abundance also may be [so] to your want, that for your want, that there may be equal. there may be such an equality in the distribution ity: of the good things of this life, as our mutual 15 As it is written, relation to each other may require. For the 15 He that had gathered bountiful Providence of God hath furnished much, had nothing them out in such an abundance, and given to over; and he that had gathered little, some of you such a superfluity, that there is had no lack. room for a liberal distribution, without injuring IMPROVEMENT. How peculiarly amiable does the Christian liberality of these verse Macedonians appear, when considered as abounding in a great 1, 2 trial of affliction, and in the depth of their poverty; yet a poverty, mingled with an abundance of joy, on account of that rich and happy state into which the gospel had brought them, and the first fruits of that glorious inheritance to which they were entitled by the tenor of it. They were willing of themselves to contribute, even beyond their power, as persons of com- 3 mon generosity would have estimated it. Nor did they on their dying beds repent such a use of their property, or wish that it had been spent in gratifying their appetites, or hoarded for those they were to leave behind them. Nor do they now regret these liberalities, or complain that their expected harvest is perished. That their abundance, &c.] It might body of Christians there reduced by perseem obvious to object, that the Corin- secutions, though their city continued to thians were rich and prosperous, the flourish." Jews poor and oppressed; so that there was no room to expect that this should happen. But it might be replied, "all human affairs are uncertain; Corinth itself, from great prosperity, had been utterly undone in the Roman war by Memmius some time before or particular persons might be distressed, or the whole 57 VOL. 4. * He that had much, &c.] Perhaps nothing could more illustrate the powerful agency of the Divine Providence, in events which seem most contingent, than this, that though such different quantities of manna were gathered by different persons, yet on an average there should be an omer for each. 442 The apostle blesseth God for the zeal of Titus in this affair: SECT. verse Let us remember their example for imitation; nor let any, xiii. who have a mite to spare, be wholly deficient, how low soever their circumstances may be ; remembering that gracious com. 12 placency, with which where there is a willing mind, the smallest 9 tribute to the treasury of God, is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. To animate us to the most generous efforts of overflowing benevolence, may we ever bear in our mind that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, of which we all know something, but which it is impossible we should ever fully know; because it passeth knowledge: that grace which engaged him, when rich, for our sakes to become poor, that we might be enriched by his poverty. What have we that deserves to be called a possession, which we do not hold by an act of Divine bounty and grace? xiv. Let us consider ourselves as under indispensable engagements in consequence of it, to consecrate our all to him, conscious that our all is but a low return for the infinite obligations under which he has laid us. He hath contrived and determined, that the poor in some form or another we should have with us always, that we may do them good, as a token of our gratitude to him. Let us faithfully aim to supply their need, and he who hath most, will 15 have no superfluity to throw away upon the lusts or vanities of life; and he who hath least, will have no unsupplied lack: but the poor will rejoice in the relief of their necessities; and the rich, in the happiest and most delightful use of their abundance. 2 Cor. SECT. XIV. The apostle expresses his joy for the readiness of Titus to assist in finishing the collection; and speaks of the honourable character of other Christian brethren, whom he had joined with him in the same commission. 2 Cor. VIII. 16, to the end. 2 CORINTHIANS VIII. 16. 2 Cor. VIII. 16. the same earnest SECT. BUT while I speak of this collection, which BUT thanks be to am desirous of promoting, [1] would God, which put [return] my humble thanks to God, who gave care into the heart viii.16 that same diligent care for you in the heart of of Titus for you. Titus, and formed him to these generous and 17 Christian sentiments. For indeed he not only 17 For indeed he cheerfully accepted, and complied with the ex- accepted the exhortation; but being hortation I gave him; but being more forward more forward, of his than I thought to have found him, he went to own accord he went you freely of his own accord, though he must unto you. see that some pressing and peculiar difficulties would attend the undertaking. the churches: With whom he sent also Luke and Apollos; a 443 2 Cor. viii. 18 18 And we have And we have also sent together with him, that sECT. sent with him excellent Christian brother and friend, Luke, xiv. the brother, whose whose praise in the gospel [is] in all the churches, praise is in the gospel, throughout all on account of the various and eminent services that he has done for the interests of Christianity, wherever his influence has extended, both 19 (And not that by his writing and exhortations. And not only 19 only, but was al- is he sob much esteemed on these accounts, but so chosen of the churches to travel he was also ordained and appointed by the with us with this stretching forth of the hand, in token of the grace, which is ad- common consent of the churches, whom we conministered by us to sulted on this occasion, particularly in Macethe glory of the same Lord, and declaration donia, to be our fellow traveller, with this grace of your ready mind:) which is now administered and undertaken by blame us in this a us, purely for the glory of the same Lord, and 20 Avoiding this, And we now send him to you, and I have 20 that no man should determined to join a man of his excellent char. bundance which is acter with me; carefully avoiding this, that any administered by us; one should blame, or throw any reflection upon us, for the part we may take in the management of this abundance of your bounty, which is ad ministered by us; lest any should be so unjust and cruel as to insinuate, that I have appropri ated any part of it to my own use, or to any purpose whatsoever, different from that for 21 Providing for which it was originally given: Therein pro- 21 honest things, not viding things decent, honest and honourable, only in the sight of the Lord, but also not only before the Lord, to whom it is our first, in the sight of men. and chief care to approve ourselves, but also before men; that we may guard as much as possible, against any suspicion of our character, and bring word to St. Paul that the collee- That brother, &c.] Some suppose this anonymous, though excellent person, to have been Mark, or Silas, or Barnabas; but I rather, with most commentators, suppose, it to have been Luke, who certainly attended St. Paul in this journey to Jerusalem. Some object, that the brother here spoken of was sent by St. Paul to Corinth, in company with Titus; whereas Luke went with St. Paul to Troas, and from thence to Corinth, Acts xx. 4, 6. But Dr. Whitby replies, I think with some consid- And not only so.] This 19th verse is to erable weight, that it is possible St. Paul be included in a parenthesis, and the conmight go from Philippi to Corinth, and tinued sense of verses 18 and 20 will be, from thence to Troas, and so persons sent we have sent that brother--to avoid blame, before to prepare his way, might come &c. See 444 2 Cor. Who were deputed by the churches on this occasion. have oftentimes SECT. which might hinder our usefulness. And 22 And we have xiv. we have sent with them, that is, with Luke and sent with them our Titus, our other friend, and well beloved broth brother, whom we viii.22 er, Apollos, whom we have often proved in many proved diligent in other affairs, to be in a very extraordinary degree many things, but diligent; but who will now, I doubt not, approve igent, upon the great now much more dilhimself much more diligent, and exert himself confidence which I to the utmost in carrying on this collection, on have in you. account of the great confidence [I have] in you, as to your goodness and liberality: on which consideration he has changed his resolution against making you a visit; which, while he had any apprehension you might make him an occasion of quarrelling and contending, he would by no means be persuaded to do. 23 my partner, and fel gers of the church And if [there be any question] concerning Titus, 23 Whether any do [he is] my partner and my fellow labourer with inquire of Titus, he is respect to you; one, who sincerely shares my low helper concem care for you, and is always ready to act in con- ing you: or our bre cert with me, in any attempt to correct what is thren be inquired of, amiss among you, and to promote your im- they are the messen. provement in real Christianity. Or if the ques- es, and the glory of tion be [concerning] any other of our brethren, Christ. whom I have mentioned above, [they are] the messengers of the churches, whom several Christian societies have chosen to send about this business and they are persons of so valuable a character, [and] do so great a credit to their profession, that I may not improperly call 24 them the glory of Christ in the world. Shew 24 Wherefore therefore to them, I entreat you, even in the sight shew ye to them, and before the of all the churches, to which they are related, churches, the proof and to whom they will undoubtedly make their of your love, and of report concerning you, the demonstration of our boasting on your your love, and the reasonableness of our boasting over you; that it may appear to be as well founded as I assuredly believe that it is. behalf. The messengers of the churches] I can Diocesan episcopacy seem not generally to think of nothing more unreasonable, than to think, I could not imagine it consistent translate this word, apostles; as the English with the dignity and importance of their word apostles, is now by long use appropri- office, that they should be parted with on ated to what is only a part of the significa- such an errand, which any common deacon tion of the original. As an apostle of Jesus might with sufficient propriety have per Christ is one sent forth by him, so an apostle formed. It is indeed true, that St. Paul of any church must surely signify, one sent was charged with this trust; but then it forth by that society. And if I believed that seems to have been after he had deter there was so early as at this time a minis- mined on this journey to Jerusalem, and ter in every church, superior to a common not to have been the occasion of that jourpastor, which the most able advocates for ney. Reflections on St. Paul's caution in managing the collection. 445 IMPROVEMENT. verse THE tenderness of ministers, in all points, where the comfort sECT and edification of the church is concerned, is indeed matter of xiv. the highest moment; and where it is remarkable in its degree, it affords just cause of thanksgivings to God: for it is he who 16 puts into their hearts that earnest care, who excites and maintains every sentiment of benevolence, when they offer themselves willingly to any generous and charitable service. It is 17 grace that has communicated whatever good is done; and it ought to be ascribed to the glory of the same Lord from whom it comes; and it loses much of its value, if it be not directed to this ultimate, this supreme end. When the Corinthians desired to deposit their alms in the hands of St. Paul, they certainly acted a very wise part; as no man living could have rendered them more secure, as to the fidelity or the discretion of the distribution. Yet we see, that 20 high as the apostle's character stood, and though he had so often given, and was daily renewing such striking demonstrations both of his wisdom and integrity; yet he would not undertake the trust alone, but used all proper methods to approve his exactness in the management thereof, even to strangers; providing things honest and laudable, not only in the sight of God, but of 21 all men. May ministers be often thus employed, as the almoners of persons richer than themselves; (as their readiness to help the poor in their temporal affairs, may greatly promote their usefulness in spirituals;) and may they be found to manage their trust with the like conscious and delicate honour. May they shew a disposition, like that of St. Paul, to assist in establishing and advancing the characters of their younger brethren, and introduc- 23 ing them into esteem and confidence. Thus will they indeed most effectually strengthen their own hands, and edify and comfort the churches; will prove the glory of Christ themselves in the present age, and be the means of raising up others, who may eminently deserve that illustrious title, in succeeding gencrations. |