2 Coríntios 8
Leon Morris · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 8
Morris - In the work of Christ, the end does not justify the use of questionable means. Our testimony before men must be credible if we expect it to be effective for the Lord. See also Proverbs 3:4 and 1 Peter 2:12. (Defender's Study Bible) Ralph Martin - "Cicero's words (De officiis 2.21.75) are appropriate: 'but the main thing in all public administration and public service is to avoid even the slightest suspicion of avarice' . . ."
2 Coríntios 8
Morris - He was the Creator of the entire cosmos (Colossians 1:16+), with all its infinite riches, yet He left it all to die a cruel death, utterly impoverished, with even His meager garments stripped away as He was spiked to the Cross. See also the even more graphic testimony in Philippians 2:5-8. This great gift of grace is the standard against which our own practice of the grace of giving must always be compared. (Defender's Study Bible) Paul presents the premier example of giving in all eternity, the giving of the Savior for the salvation of sinners. Even as Jesus gave us Himself (SACRIFICIALLY), the Corinthians (AND ALL OF US DEARLY BELOVED) should be willing to "walk in His steps" (1Pe 2:21+) and give of themselves (SACRIFICIALLY) out of kindness for the sake of others. Yet for your sake He became poor (ptocheuo), so that (hina - purpose clause) you through His poverty (ptocheia) might become rich (plouteo) - Note the reason Jesus left eternal riches for temporal poverty - for your (AND OUR) sake! How did Jesus become poor? The answer of course is he became poor at His incarnation. Although "He existed in the form of God, (He) did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men." The Corinthians were spiritual paupers, but Jesus became a "pauper" that they could be clothed with garments of salvation, His rich robe of righteousness (cf Isa 61:10+). Paul's point to the Corinthians is that in light of what Jesus did for them, was it too much to ask them to make a generous contribution to the saints at Jerusalem. Jesus became a pauper that we might be made a "prince." Pulpit Commentary on became poor. - The aorist implies the concentration of his self-sacrifice in a single act. (2 Corinthians 8) David Guzik on became poor...you...might become rich - Just as Jesus added humanity but never lost His deity, so He also “added” poverty but never “lost” His riches. “For He assumed poverty, yet did not lose His riches. Inwardly He was rich (ED: COMPARE "TREASURE" OF HIS FOLLOWERS - 2Co 4:7+), outwardly poor. His deity was hidden in His riches, His manhood apparent in His poverty.” (Hughes)...Because of Jesus’ poverty and all that was related to it, we can become rich. We have a share in Jesus’ eternal, heavenly wealth because He came and had a share in our poverty. (2 Corinthians 8) MacDonald on He became poor - This refers not only to Bethlehem but to Nazareth, Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha. If this is true, and it certainly is, then it should be our greatest joy to give all that we are and have to Him. No argument could be more forceful than this in the midst of Paul's discussion of Christian giving. (Believer's Bible Commentary) Gilbrant - He experienced that birth in abject poverty. The humble inn in the town of His birth had no room as a decent place for Him to come into the world. His mother bore Him, attended only by Joseph. She lay on a straw-covered dirt floor of a stable. His only crib was the feeding trough for the animals who shared the place of His birth, probably a cave stable in Bethlehem. During His stay of 30 years on earth He never owned a place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). When He came to the end of His earthly life the only provisions He could offer for the care of His mother came through the kindness He requested of a friend with His dying breath (John 19:26, 27). Before they crucified Him they stripped Him of the meager clothing He wore. Soldiers gambled to see who would get the garments of pitifully small value He left behind (Mark 15:24).In death they buried Him in a borrowed tomb (Matthew 27:60). Others provided the customary burial cloths and spices, and they were relative strangers (John 19:38-42). Thus He lived and died owning nothing of this world's goods. (Complete Biblical Library – Romans-Corinthians) Moorehead comments "He was rich in possessions, power, homage, fellowship, happiness. He became poor in station, circumstances, in His relations with men. We are urged to give a little money, clothing, food. He gave Himself."
2 Coríntios 8
Morris - Although the New Testament does not specify tithing, as the Old Testament does, the principle of proportionate giving is advocated (see also 1 Corinthians 16:2). The key measure is not the proportion given, but the amount retained. (The Defender's Study Bible) Murray Harris - Provided a gift is willingly given, its acceptability is determined solely on the basis of what a person might possess, not on the basis of what he does not own. God assesses the "value" of a monetary gift not in terms of the actual amount given, but by comparing what is given with the total financial resources of the giver. This is the lesson of Mark 12:41-44 (the widow's offering). No one is expected to give "according to what he does not have." (1 and 2 Corinthians The Expositor's Bible Commentary) Swindoll - Paul’s point in 8:12 seems to be along the lines of the old adage “A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.” Paul says to the Corinthians, essentially, “If you’re ready, you can do it. You can complete the project even if you don’t think you have the resources. Do what you can now without hesitation; don’t worry about what you can’t do.” (Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary – 1 & 2 Corinthians) Gilbrant - those who have much and offer little find small favor with the Lord. They make the mistake of trying to worship grudgingly with the hand rather than in spirit and in truth. With them God is not well pleased. (Complete Biblical Library – Romans-Corinthians) God's scales weigh motives, not money. H A Ironside -- "It was not a question of saying, 'Well, I would do something but am not able,' but a question of doing what they could. If you can give only a little to the Lord, give that, and He will multiply it. If you can give a great deal, give it to Him. He looks into the heart. Many a one puts in a dime, and on the books of heaven it goes down as though it were a dollar, but do not put in a dime if you could give the dollar, for that won't go down at all! (2 Corinthians 8 ). David