Testimonia — Early Christian Bible Commentary

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2 Corinthians 8

1Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

2how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.

3For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

4begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.

5This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

6So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.

7But as you abound in everything—in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us—see that you also abound in this grace.

8I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

10I give advice in this: it is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

11But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.

12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.

13For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,

14but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack, that there may be equality.

15As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

16But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

17For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.

18We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies.

19Not only so, but he was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.

20We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

21Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22We have sent with them our brother whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.

23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.

24Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Early Christian texts and source notes

c. 182–188 (historical edition's dating) | Irenaeus of Lyons

8. True knowledge is [that which consists in] the doctrine of the apostles, and the ancient constitution of the church throughout all the world, and the distinctive manifestation of the body of Christ according to the successions of the bishops, by which they have handed down that church which exists in every place, and has come even unto us, being guarded and preserved, without any forging of Scriptures, by a very complete system of doctrine, and neither receiving addition nor [suffering] curtailment [in the truths which she believes]; and [it consists in] reading [the word of God] without falsification, and a lawful and diligent exposition in harmony with the Scriptures, both without danger and without blasphemy; and [above all, it consists in] the pre-eminent gift of love, which is more precious than knowledge, more glorious than prophecy, and which excels all the other gifts [of God].

Source passage · edition’s verse reference · Against Heresies, Book 4, Preface or unspecified section · Original source

1867 (English edition) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

2 Cor. viii. 20, 21.

Editorial footnote · The Instructor, THE WRITINGS OF CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA. / THE INSTRUCTOR. / BOOK III. / CHAPTER XI. A COMPENDIOUS VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. · Original source

1869 (English edition) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

Comp. 2 Cor. viii. 1; 1 Cor. xiii.

Editorial footnote · Against Heresies, Book 4, Preface or unspecified section · Original source

1869 (English edition) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

2 Cor. viii. 16.

Editorial footnote · On First Principles, The Writings of Origen, Vol. 1 of 2 / ORIGEN DE PRINCIPIIS. / BOOK III. / CHAPTER II. ON THE OPPOSING POWERS. · Original source

1869 (English edition) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

2 Cor. viii. 12, 15.

Editorial footnote · The Stromata (Miscellanies), THE WRITINGS OF CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA. / BOOK II. / CHAPTER XIX. THE TRUE GNOSTIC IS AN IMITATOR OF GOD, ESPECIALLY IN BENEFICENCE. · Original source

1871 (English edition) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

2 Cor. viii. 9.

Editorial footnote · The City of God, THE CITY OF GOD. / BOOK SEVENTEENTH. / ARGUMENT. / 2. At what time the promise of God was fulfilled concerning the land of Canaan, which even carnal Israel got in possession. · Original source

Date uncertain | Clement of Alexandria

But, above all, it seems right that we turn away from the sight of women. For it is sin not only to touch, but to look; and he who is rightly trained must especially avoid them. “Let thine eyes look straight, and thine eyelids wink right.” For while it is possible for one who looks to remain stedfast; yet care must be taken against falling. For it is possible for one who looks to slip; but it is impossible for one, who looks not, to lust. For it is not enough for the chaste to be pure; but they must give all diligence, to be beyond the range of censure, shutting out all ground of suspicion, in order to the consummation of chastity; so that we may not only be faithful, but appear worthy of trust. For this is also consequently to be guarded against, as the apostle says, “that no man should blame us; providing things honourable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” “But turn away thine eye from a graceful woman, and contemplate not another’s beauty,” says the Scripture. And if you inquire the reason, it will further tell you, “For by the beauty of woman many have gone astray, and at it affection blazes up like fire;” the affection which arises from the fire which we call love, leading to the fire which will never cease in consequence of sin.

Source passage · edition’s verse reference · The Instructor, THE WRITINGS OF CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA. / THE INSTRUCTOR. / BOOK III. / CHAPTER XI. A COMPENDIOUS VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. · Original source

Date uncertain | Clement of Alexandria

We are taught that there are three kinds of friendship: and that of these the first and the best is that which results from virtue, for the love that is founded on reason is firm; that the second and intermediate is by way of recompense, and is social, liberal, and useful for life; for the friendship which is the result of favour is mutual. And the third and last we assert to be that which is founded on intimacy; others, again, that it is that variable and changeable form which rests on pleasure. And Hippodamus the Pythagorean seems to me to describe friendships most admirably: “That founded on knowledge of the gods, that founded on the gifts of men, and that on the pleasures of animals.” There is the friendship of a philosopher,—that of a man and that of an animal. For the image of God is really the man who does good, in which also he gets good: as the pilot at once saves, and is saved. Wherefore, when one obtains his request, he does not say to the giver, Thou hast given well, but, Thou hast received well. So he receives who gives, and he gives who receives. “But the righteous pity and show mercy.” “But the mild shall be inhabitants of the earth, and the innocent shall be left in it. But the transgressors shall be extirpated from it.” And Homer seems to me to have said prophetically of the faithful, “Give to thy friend.” And an enemy must be aided, that he may not continue an enemy. For by help good feeling is compacted, and enmity dissolved. “But if there be present readiness of mind, according to what a man hath it is acceptable, and not according to what he hath not; for it is not that there be ease to others, but tribulation to you, but of equality at the present time,” and so forth. “He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever,” the Scripture says. For conformity with the image and likeness is not meant of the body (for it were wrong for what is mortal to be made like what is immortal), but in mind and reason, on which fitly the Lord impresses the seal of likeness, both in respect of doing good and of exercising rule. For governments are directed not by corporeal qualities, but by judgments of the mind. For by the counsels of holy men states are managed well, and the household also.

Source passage · edition’s verse reference · The Stromata (Miscellanies), THE WRITINGS OF CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA. / BOOK II. / CHAPTER XIX. THE TRUE GNOSTIC IS AN IMITATOR OF GOD, ESPECIALLY IN BENEFICENCE. · Original source