(Tap footnote to read it. Old Testament quotations are underlined. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.1"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings – agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. )
Arrangements for the Gift
- For indeed, it’s superfluous for me to write to you about service to the saints.
- For I *know your eagerness, which I boast about on your behalf to the Macedonians; that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal provoked more of them.
- But I sent the brothers so our boast about you wouldn’t be empty in this matter, so you might be *prepared, just as I was saying.
- Lest if the Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we – not to mention you – might be put to shame in this confidence.
- Therefore, I thought it was essential to urge the brothers so they might go to you and prepare beforehand this blessing from you which has been already promised. Thus, it’s ready to be given as a blessing and not as from reluctant greed.1“greed” could also be translated “covetousness”. Paul seems to be saying the gift should freely given without a greedy wish that they wouldn’t have to give what they’d promised.
- Yet remember this: the man sowing sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the man sowing on blessings will also reap on blessings,
- just as each has decided in the heart; not from grief or from compulsion, for God ^loves a joyfully voluntary2“joyfully voluntary” is one word in Greek, which properly means joyful and not under compulsion; i.e. voluntary and happy about it. giver.
- And God can make all grace overflow into you, so having all you need always in everything, you might overflow in every good work.
- Just as it is *written, “He scattered abroad, He gave to the poor, His righteousness endures through the age.”3Quotation/allusion to Psalm 112:9. “through the age” is typically translated “eternal” here. But the Greek word translated “age” here is “αἰών” (aion), which means a time span with a beginning and an end. It’s also used in Matthew 24:3 to talk about the “culmination (end) of the age.”
- And the One supplying seed for the man sowing will also abundantly provide bread for food, and will multiply your seed for sowing, and will grow the fruits of your righteousness,
- enriching you in everything; into all generosity which through us produces thanksgiving to God.
- For the ministry of this service is not only completely supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through much thanksgiving4literally “many thanksgivings” to God.
- Because this service is proof of your genuineness,5“proof of your genuineness” is one word in Greek. It’s a noun, derived from the adjective “δόκιμος” (dokimos) which means something that has been tested to prove it’s genuine. It was used of testing coins to prove they weren’t counterfeit or mixed with lesser metals. they’re glorifying God at the submission of your confession to the gospel of the Anointed, and the generosity of your partnership to them and to all men.
- And their earnest prayer is on your behalf; longing for you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
- Grace6“Grace” The Greek word here is “χάρις” (charis), most often translated “grace” or “gift”. It was a technical term in the 1st century, referring to the Patronage system in place. The Patron (from “pater” = “father”) would give gifts or do favors (both called a charis) for someone. A charis was always given/done freely to anyone who would be grateful for it, and this person then became a “client” of the patron. The clients were expected to reciprocate by telling everyone what the patron had done, and offering their services to the patron whenever the patron needed them. This reciprocal act was also called “charis”, and the ones who reciprocated were “being faithful”. Both were done out of gratitude, not legal obligation. A client who wasn’t faithful and grateful probably wouldn’t receive any more charis from his patron, or any other patrons. The patron was responsible for taking care of all his clients, and making sure their needs were met. Christian Grace and Faith is well picture by this system. The Heavenly Patron (God the Father) freely gave a gift (Jesus’ blood), and the clients who accept it (Christians) are expected to “be faithful” out of gratitude. be to God for His indescribable gift!
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