7
But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christnotes.org)
"Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:7-9
Faith is the root; and as without faith it is not possible to please God, Hebrews 11:6,
so those who abound in faith, will abound in other graces and good
works also; and this will work and show itself by love. Great talkers
are not always the best doers; but these Corinthians were diligent to
do, as well as to know and talk well. To all these good things the
apostle desires them to add this grace also, to abound in charity to the
poor. The best arguments for Christian duties, are drawn from the grace
and love of Christ. Though he was rich, as being God, equal in power
and glory with the Father, yet he not only became man for us, but became
poor also. At length he emptied himself, as it were, to ransom their
souls by his sacrifice on the cross. From what riches, blessed Lord, to
what poverty didst thou descend for our sakes! and to what riches hast
thou advanced us through thy poverty! It is our happiness to be wholly
at thy disposal."
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