2 Corinthians 8:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

I give

1 Corinthians 7:25

Expedient

To be

2 Corinthians 8:8

2 Corinthians 9:2

Forward

2 Corinthians 8:3

Bible References

I give

Now I have no command from the Lord concerning [what you wrote about] unmarried women. [Note: The word here is "virgins" but some think it includes both males and females]. But I give my advice as someone who has received the Lord's mercy to be counted trustworthy.

Expedient

Although I must boast about myself [See 11:21-27], it [really] is not profitable. So, I will go on to [tell about] visions and [inspired] revelations given [to me] from the Lord.

Truly I tell you, whoever gives a mere drink of cold water to one of these least significant [disciples of mine] because he is a disciple, will certainly not lose his [temporal or eternal] reward."

And you are not taking into consideration that it would be profitable to you for one man to die for the people, so that the entire nation would not be destroyed."

Yet I am telling you the truth: It will be helpful to you for me to go away. For unless I go, the Helper [i.e., the Holy Spirit] will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.

Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was profitable for one man to die for the people. [See 11:50].

"Everything is permissible for me [to do];" but not everything is profitable. [Note: The words in quote marks in this and the following verse are thought to have been commonly held views of that day, to which Paul gives an inspired reply]. "Everything is permissible for me [to do];" but I will not be ruled by anything.

"Everything is permissible [to do];" but not everything is profitable [See note at 6:12]. "Everything is permissible [to do];" but not everything builds [people] up.

[Now] it is not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for the benefit that [such a gift] will add to your [spiritual] account [with God].

[Urge them] to do what is good, to be rich in [the practice of] good deeds, to be generous and willing to share [with others].

But do not forget to do good deeds and share [with others], for God is very pleased with such "sacrifices."

If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and needs daily food,

To be

I am not saying this [to you] as a command, but by telling you how eager others are [to help], to find out how genuine your love is also.

For I know how eager you [already] are, and I have boasted about you to the Macedonians, that Achaia [Note: This was the southernmost province of Greece, where Corinth was located] has been prepared [to give] since last year. And your enthusiasm has stirred up most of them [to give also].

Forward

For I testify that they gave [financial help] to the full limit of their ability, yes and even beyond it. [And they did this] entirely on their own,