The Epistle of Second Corinthians
Lesson Number 36
TRANSLATION LEGEND: AMPLIFIED or AMP = Amplified Bible, (1965), ASV=American Standard Version (1901), BBE=Bible in Basic English (1949), DRA=Douay-Rheims (1899), ESV=English Stand Version (2001), IE = International English, ISV = International Standard Version (1967), JPS = Jewish Publicatrion Society (1917), KJV=King James Version (1611), LIVING = Living Bible (1971), MONTGOMERY = Montgomery’s New Testament (2001), MRD = Peshitta-James Murdock Translation (1852), NAB=New American Bible (2002), NASB=New American Standard Bible (1977), NAU=New American Standard Bible (1995), NIB=New International Bible, NIV=New International Version (1984), NJB=New Jerusalem Bible (1985), NKJV=New King James Version (1979), NLT=New Living Translation (1996), NRSV=New Revised Standard Version (1989), PHILLIPS = J B Phillips New Testament (1962), PNT = BISHOP’S New Testament (1595), RSV=Revised Standard Version (1952), TNK=JPS Tanakj (1985), Webster=The Webster Bible (1833),WEYMOUTH=Weymouth’s New Testament (1903), WILLIAMS = William’s New Testament (1937), TNK = JPS Tanakh (1985), TYNDALE= Tyndale’s Bible (1526), WYCLIFFE= Wycliffe New Testament (1382), YLT=Young’s Literal Translation (1862).
LEXICON LEGEND: FRIEBERG=Friberg Lexicon, UBS=UBS Lexicon, LOUW-NIDA=Louw-Nida Lexicon, LIDDELL SCOTT=Liddell Scott Lexicon, THAYER=Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
THE PROOF OF YOUR LOVE
“ 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: 20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. 23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. 24 Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.” (2 Cor 8:16-24)
INTRODUCTION
Why is Paul making so much of this collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem? He mentions it in his first epistle (1 Cor 16:1-2), and deals extensively with it in this second epistle (2 Cor 8:1-24; 9:1-15). What has driven this insightful man of God to speak so extensively on this matter?
It is this: that there is a direct correlation between the profession of the faith (or the lack thereof) of the people and what they say and do. If it is true that in Christ Jesus we are “born again” (John 3:3,5), become a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15), “put on Christ” (Gal 3:27), are “begotten again” (1 Pet 1:3), and are “born of God” (1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18), then we should expect a change in our conduct. If we have been “reconciled to God” (Col 1:21), are “made partakers of Christ” (Heb 3:14), and are described as having been “enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come” (Heb 6:4-5), how is it possible that it would have no effect upon the way we live out lives? How is it possible to be “created in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:10), or possess a “new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph 4:24), and yet remain fundamentally unchanged? Can a person remain in the darkness after they have been translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col 1:13)? Or, is it true that “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6).
Mind you, this is not intended to move us to become judges of others, ruling them out of the Kingdom. Rather, it is to assist us in properly evaluating the source of the various influences in our lives. If it is true that “a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit” (Matt 7:17), then the “new creature,” or “the new man,” is not capable of producing words or works that are not acceptable to God. All works of that order are related to “the old man,” which is to be “put off” (Eph 4:22; Col 3:9), for, from the very beginning of “the newness of life,” it “is crucified with” Christ (Rom 6:6). Yet, believers are solemnly warned, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Heb 3:12).
This possibility is owing to the fact that we do not live in a moral or spiritual vacuum. We occupy a “vile body” (Phil 3:21), are living in a corrupt world that lies under the influence of the “wicked one” (1 John 5:19), and are hounded by a fierce and cunning “adversary” (1 Pet 5:8-9). While we do have a “treasure” from heaven, it is presently in an “earthen vessel” (2 Cor 4:7), and thus requires constant attention and renewal. Add to this scenario the fact that everything we have from God is presently held “by faith,” and you should see why this sort of epistle is necessary. Faith does not subsist on its own. The believer must “fight” to maintain it (1 Tim 6:12), be built up in the faith (Jude 1:20), and increase and advance in faith (2 Thess 1:3).
Where men imagine that faith can be neglected, and yet maintain all of its essential properties, benefits, and power, they have only been deluded – all fanciful theologies notwithstanding. Satan has risen to new levels of craftiness in seducing professed believers into thinking they are impervious to his attacks. By simply going through a seemingly religious ceremony, identifying with the right group, or embracing a static and impotent theology, some believe they have done enough. But they are not right. If Corinth, who, had been “washed,” “sanctified,” and “justified” (1 Cor 6:11), and came behind in “no gift” (1 Cor 1:7), required such extensive correction, what can be said of the religious institutions of our day, who do not appear to have approximated those benefits? Or, is it possible to be “washed” and yet remain defiled, “sanctified” and yet remain attached to the world, “justified” and yet remain dominated by sin?
When fornication surfaced in the Corinthian assembly, they had to do something about it (1 Cor 5:1-5). When they conducted themselves unbecomingly at the table of the Lord, they were chastened by God – some becoming sick, and some suffering death (1 Cor 11:29-30). In the passage we are reviewing, they had been lethargic in the matter of gathering a collection which they themselves had pledged to give to the poor saints in Jerusalem.
In all of this you sense that sin is by no means tolerated among the people of God. There is no blanket of mercy that will move God to ignore transgression, unwillingness, or a hesitancy to do what He Himself has moved His people to do. Jesus Himself is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb 4:15), but has no tolerance for sin among His people. He still remains “the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY him” (Heb 5:9). When He appears “the second time” He will, in fact, be “taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that OBEY NOT the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess 1:8).
A life that is fundamentally at variance with the “eternal purpose of God” is one that is being lived in vain, and under the cloud of Divine wrath. In such a posture, the soul drifts from God, and the mind and heart of man is not capable of imagining how far such a person can drift. No individual is in any sense safe who insists on wallowing in the mire from which Jesus once delivered him. The soul who once again takes hold of the world to which salvation made him a “stranger and a pilgrim” has committed the ultimate blunder.
The knowledge of these things, together with his familiarity with the mind and purpose of God, moved Paul to write this rather lengthy discourse about the collection the Corinthian brethren had determined to send to Jerusalem. As one might expect, he masterfully integrates this matter with God’s will.
THE LOVE OF THE BRETHREN
In the New Covenant, there is a marked emphasis on the love of the brethren – loving the people of God. Whereas “the second” great commandment under the Law was, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Lev 19:18; Matt 22:39), the New Covenant directive is even more pointed. “And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment” (1 John 3:23). Jesus called this a “new commandment” – “new” in its nature. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). Again He said, “This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12). And again, “These things I command you, that ye love one another” (John 15:17). He also affirmed this was a telling mark of His followers: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). John wrote, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death” (1 John 3:14).
There can, then, be no question about this matter of loving the brethren, for they are the brethren of Jesus (Rom 8:29; Heb 2:11,12,17), as well as our own.
John says the following of those who do not love the brethren,
☛ THEY ARE IN DARKNESS. “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now” (1 John 2:9).
☛ THEY DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING, BUT ARE BLINDED. “But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:11).
☛ THEY ARE NOT OF GOD. “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 John 3:10).
☛ THEY ARE MURDERERS, AND DO NOT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).
☛ THEY ABIDE IN DEATH. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death” (1 John 3:14).
☛ THEY DO NOT KNOW GOD. “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:8).
☛ THEY ARE LIARS. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20).
The “love of the brethren,” which is an appointed objective of “obeying the truth” (1 Pet 1:22), is the issue with which Paul is dealing. As it is written, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:17). Therefore, much more is at stake than the care of the needy saints in Jerusalem. The attestation of the validity of the Corinthian’s profession of faith was also being made known in this occasion.
It is no wonder, therefore, that Paul speaks with such candor and firmness concerning the collection the Corinthian brethren had planned to gather, but had not yet completed.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF CONDUCT
A word should be said about the proper, or spiritual, philosophy of conduct. I am using the word “philosophy” in its purest sense of a core of logic that attends a domain of thought. There is such a thing as philosophy that is “after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col 2:8). I do not speak of that kind of philosophy.
In Christ Jesus there is a certain core of logic – a manner of reasoning that is to be resident in all believers. It is this. Through Adam, the entirety of humanity and of its environment came under the curse of God. Mortality was imposed upon every living thing, and the inanimate creation as well (Rom 8:21-22). That judgment rendered the world and everything associated with it unsalvageable. The totality of creation had been corrupted by the sin of man, as well as mankind itself. It is for this reason that God declared, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 5). The environment itself – the whole creation – is groaning in travail this very day, anticipating the manifestation of the sons of God, at which time it will be delivered from the blight of corruption. Those who have been reconciled to God are also looking forward to their own deliverance from mortality, and to a new environment as well. As it is written, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Pet 3:13).
With these facts before us, it ought to be apparent that we needed to be delivered from the cursed realm. It is also clear that nothing from that defiled realm can transfer into the world to come, for the realm and everything associated with it is corrupt.
The complicating factor is this: while we are in this world, although we have been regenerated and delivered from this present evil world (Gal 1:4), neither the regeneration nor the deliverance is complete. We remain in a corruptible body in which “another law” is resident, that wars against the law of our mind (Rom 7:23). Words and deeds that are prompted by this wayward “law,” or principle, are in no way acceptable to God. God receives only what comes from “the new man,” which has been “renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him” (Col 3:10). Therefore, we are admonished to “put off the old man,” refusing him to be the governor of our conduct. We are also to “put on the new man,” permitting him to be the prominent part of our persons.
The Relevance of this to Our Text
All of this does have to do with our text. The willingness of the Corinthians to gather a collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem was an expression of “the new man.” The failure to complete that collection was an expression of “the old man,” and was therefore unacceptable.
This circumstance required some extensive elaboration, for there is no guarantee that the occupation of the cursed domain will not, in fact, result in condemnation. I hardly see that it is possible for a salvation that brings deliverance from the cursed realm to be maintained while one remains willingly in that domain. I understand that men have concocted religious dogmas and creeds that allow them to think they can remain “in the flesh” and still be well pleasing to God. However, such teachings contract both the revelation and the nature of God’s “great salvation.” It is still true that “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom 8:8). It is also true that “to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom 8:6-7).
If, as some suppose, there is such a thing as a “carnal Christian” – a phrase nowhere employed by the Spirit – then the following is possible.
☛ A Christian can safely remain in the domain from which he was delivered.
☛ A person can be accepted by God, even though he is fundamentally displeasing to Him.
☛ They that are in the flesh can please God, even though He has affirmed they cannot.
☛ God has fellowship with those who have minds that are “enmity against” Him.
☛ A person can remain alive unto God, even though he is dead due to being “carnally minded.”
Only a person who has, like the ostrich, been “deprived of wisdom” (Job 39:17) could possibly affirm such foolish things. Yet, the Christian community is plagued with preachers and teachers that are either actually affirming such things, or are delivering a message that leads their hearers to come to that conclusion.
Some Concluding Thoughts
Thus, Paul labors to bring the Corinthians into a right way of thinking. Their thoughts had become muddled due to their carnality. That is why they had not followed through with the resolve they made a year ago. Subtly, the Tempter had lured them into a forbidden way of thinking – thinking without the affection being set on things above. Knowing this dreadful propensity among them, Paul later writes, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor 11:3). He wrote much the same thing to the Thessalonians: “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain” (1 Thess 3:5).
When Paul pondered the sluggardly response of the Corinthians, he knew the direction of their thinking. He then resorted to spiritual weaponry to thrown down imaginations, and thoughts that were exalting themselves above the knowledge of God. He was fulfilling a word he would give expression to later: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Cor 10:4-6).
In my judgement, we are living in a time when there is a dearth of insightful men and women – those who can read the times and tell the people what to do. Oh, that a host of men would arise who bear the traits of the children of Issachar: “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment” (1 Chron 12:32). Such men are of great value, and will be used by God to build up and establish His people in the faith. After all, when Jesus comes again, He will be looking for faith on the earth (Lk 18:8). Blessed is the person who is laboring with that truth in mind.
THANKS BE TO GOD
“ 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.”
We are apprised by the Spirit that God is presently working “all things together for good to them that love God and are the called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). In this text we are exposed to some of that behind-the-scenes working that is essential to the fulfillment of God’s will.
THE PLACE OF THANKSGIVING
“But thanks be to God . . . ” This is the expression of a God-conscious person. Such an one has seen the hand of the Lord, been blessed by it, and expresses thanksgiving for it.
Although this is very obvious, we give thanks to God for His own working, and not the working of men. The scope and magnitude of thanksgiving is seen several Pauline expressions.
☛ ALL OF THE TIME. “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20).
☛ AS ASPECT OF PRAISE. Elsewhere thanksgiving is referred to as the sacrifice of praise: “By him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name” (Heb 13:15).
☛ ACCOMPANYING REQUESTS. We are also reminded that when we make our requests known to God by prayer and supplication, they are to be accompanied with thanksgiving: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil 4:6).
☛ PART OF BEING ROOTED. Thanksgiving is also an integral part of being rooted and built up in Christ: “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Col 2:7).
☛ A PRIMARY PART OF SPEECH. We are further told that the giving of thanks is to be a prominent part of our speech: “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks” (Eph 5:4).
☛ ACCOMPANYING OUR DEEDS. Our conduct is also to be thoroughly committed to the Lord, and is to be accompanied with thanksgiving: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col 3:17).
☛ IN EVERYTHING. In fact, we are told that thanksgiving in every circumstance of life is God’s will for us: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess 5:18).
Proper thanksgiving cannot be offered mechanically, or by means of a mere procedure. The insight of faith is required in order to acceptable thanksgiving. That is, thanksgiving cannot flow from the well of ignorance or be produced where there is a lack of spiritual insight and understanding.
Thanksgiving is, in a sense, an obligation. Yet obligation itself cannot birth a thankful spirit or words of praise. Paul is therefore giving thanks because of what he has seen, perceived, and discerned. God was not only at work, Paul was, by faith, able to see it, and acted consistently with that vision.
THE MARVEL OF EARNEST CARE
“ . . . earnest care . . .” Other versions read “earnestness,” NASB “concern,” NIV “eagerness,” NRSV “diligent zeal,” DARBY “sincere concern,” NJB “same enthusiasm,” NLT “good mind,” PNT “real concern,” LIVING “deep interest,” WEYMOUTH “dedication,” ISV and “earnest zeal and care.” AMPLIFIED
In fulfillment of the word given to holy prophets, in Christ Jesus, men receive a “new heart” and “a new spirit” (Ezek 36:26). This new capacity enables the individual to have deeper feelings, greater thoughts, and more zealous interests. Even a casual familiarity with the religion of our day will confirm the near-total absence of this kind of spirit within the churches. Men have invented a whole host of programs to gender interest and enthusiasm in the people. Some religious leaders are subjected to professional motivators who supposedly have expertise in getting people to be aggressive about needful things. Some religious services bear more resemblance to high school pep rallies in which an effort is made to pump up zeal, and get the people out of the doldrums of mediocrity.
All of these circumstances reveal a fundamental deficiency among the churches. The emotional capacity of the people for the things of God is more like that of the recalcitrant Israelites than of those who have been reconciled to God. In order to address the problem, the religious leaders have consulted with men, not God. In so doing, they have committed transgression, for it is totally wrong to seek from men what only God can give.
“Earnest care” involves perception, personal interest, godly sincerity, and dedication. It is an activity of the heart that has overflowed into the mind, thereby impacting upon the decision-making capabilities of the individual. In the text before us, it involves a genuine and aggressive interest in the people of God. It is profoundly deep, and does not simply lie upon the surface of the human personality. There is nothing contrived or artificial about it. How marvelous is this godly trait – “earnest care,”
GOD WORKS WITH THE HEART
“ . . . which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.” Other versions read, “who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus,” NKJV “who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus,” NASB “who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you,” and “Who planted the same earnest zeal and care for you in the heart of Titus.” AMPLIFIED
Now, Paul is giving thanks to God for something He has done. God Himself, who not only knows, but has access to the hearts of men, has done something in Titus – and Paul has seen it. Titus has something that cannot be obtained from the course of nature. It cannot be produced by human ingenuity. The arm of the Law cannot bring this quality to a person. It is God who has “put” this “earnest care” for the Corinthians into the heart of Titus. He has caused Titus to have God’s own affection for the Corinthians. In this matter, Titus has become a “partaker of the Divine nature” (2 Pet 1:4). This is proof that he has, in fact, been made a “partaker of Christ” (Heb 3:14).
God Has Access to the Heart
This is a wonderful truth – that God has access to the hearts of men. While some choose to philosophize and even argue about this matter, I choose to delight in it, for it opens the door of hope concerning many situations. Nor, indeed, are we without an abundance of revelation on this matter. This thought has been sanctified by revelation, and we do well to be acquainted with it.
☛ TABERNACLE BUILDERS. “And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee” (Ex 31:6).
☛ BEZALEEL. “And He hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan” (Ex 35:34).
☛ BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB. “And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it” (Ex 36:2).
☛ SOLOMON. “And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart” (1 Kgs 10:24; 2 Chron 9:23).
☛ ARTAXERXES. “Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:27).
☛ NEHEMIAH. “And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon” (Neh 2:12).
☛ NEHEMIAH. “And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein” (Neh 7:5).
☛ JOB’S OBSERVATION. “Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?” (Job 38:36).
☛ DAVID. “Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased” (Psa 4:7).
☛ NEW COVENANT. “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer 31:33).
☛ FEAR OF GOD. “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me” (Jer 32:40).
☛ WORK OF GOD. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Heb 10:16).
☛ THOSE WHO GIVE HEED TO THE BEAST. “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled” (Rev 17:17).
There can be no question about God working in the hearts of men, who are His own creation. The notion of a God who has no access to those whom He has made is a very foolish one. God “raised up the spirit” of the chief men of Judah and Benjamin to “build the house of the Lord which was at Jerusalem” (Ezra 1:5). He “raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes” against Babylon, to destroy it (Jer 51:11). The Lord “stirred up an advesary unto Solomon” (1 Kgs 11:14). He “stirred up” the spirit of the Philistines and the Arabians “against Jehoram” (2 Chron 21:16). The Lord “stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia” to make a proclamation declaring that God had charged him to build the house of God in Jerusalem (2 Chron 36:22; Ezra 1:1). He also “stirred up the spirit of Zerubbael,” “the spirit of Joshua the high priest,” and “the spirit of all the remnant of the people” to do “work in the house of the Lord” (Hag 1:14).
No person should count it a strange thing, therefore, that God put into the heart of Titus an earnest and zealous care for the weakened church in Corinth. If they were to be recovered so that they advanced toward the “mark for the prize of the high calling of God” (Phil 3:14), someone must certainly obtain an unwavering interest in them.
And who is it that will experience this wondrous working of the Lord? Who will find himself drawn toward those who had, in a way, become offensive in their manner and conduct? It will be those who live close to the Lord Jesus, walking in the light “as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7). It will be those who have made a willing and profitable investment in the Corinthian brethren – like Paul and Titus.
Something to be Noted
Right here there is something that ought to be noted. Those who live in a certain aloofness from the Lord are not apt to be used by Him in the accomplishment of His will. Such will not become resources for the people of God, because their heads are nailed to the earth. Those who do not walk with Jesus cannot work with Him. Only those who fellowship with Jesus (1 Cor 1:9) will be employed to work in His vineyard. His work requires new and tender hearts.
In a true ministry – ministering “as of the ability God giveth” (1 Pet 4:11) – several key factors are brought together.
☛ First, the minister himself must be “prepared” by godly separation to do the work (2 Tim 2:21).
☛ Second, he must be able to correctly handle God’s word, particularly as it touches upon the circumstances in which he is ministering (2 Tim 2:15).
☛ Third, God must have given him the aptitude required to do the work (Rom 12:3; 1 Pet 4:11).
☛ Fourth, he must have a heart for the work – an inclination to do what is required before God (Rom 15:14; 1 Thess 2:8).
All of these traits are found within the framework of faith in Christ and a love for the brethren, which are the two demanding qualities of anyone who walks and works with the Lord (1 John 3:23). There is no provision for chronic deficiency in these areas. Nor is there anything about salvation condoning it.
HE ACCEPTED THE EXHORTATION
“ 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.”
The “earnest care” of Titus was made known in the nature and manner his response to Paul’s exhortation. At that time, what God had put into his heart surfaced, confirming that he was the person God had appointed for this good work.
HE ACCEPTED THE EXHORTATION
“For indeed he accepted the exhortation . . . ” Other versions read, “he not only accepted the exhortation,” NKJV “he not only accepted our appeal,” NASB “Titus not only welcomed our appeal,” NIV “he gladly gave ear to our request,” BBE “he received indeed our entreaty,” DARBY “He certainly took our urging to heart,” NJB “He welcomed our request that he visit you again,” NLT “When we asked Titus to help you, he welcomed it,” IE “For he not only consented to my request,” MONTGOMERY and “for he not only welcomed and responded to our appeal.” AMPLIFIED
Delivering an exhortation is one thing, but it is quite another thing when it is welcomed and yields a favorable response. The exhortation of reference was also mentioned in verse six: “Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also” (2 Cor 8:6). That is, Titus had originally been with the Corinthians when they initiated their collection for the “poor saints” in Jerusalem. Now Paul exhorts him to “complete” in the Corinthians “this gracious work as well,” NASB for an incomplete work brings no glory to God or advantage to His people.
What Is An “Exhortation?”
The importance of exhortation is seen in the fact that Christ has especially gifted some for this ministry. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; . . . or he that exhorteth, on exhortation . . . ” (Rom 12:6-8).
The word “exhort” comes from a word that means “a calling near . . . imploration, supplication, entreaty, admonition, encouragement,” THAYER “A strong and persistent request . . . an authoritative presentation of privileges and requirements,” FRIBERG and “requesting most insistently.” UBS
As used in the body of Christ, an exhortation is addressed to “the new man” – the part of us that has been “created in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:10), and is “joined to the Lord” (1 Cor 6:17). It is a call to do the will of the Lord – to become involved in what the Lord is doing. This is in strict accord with the will of the Lord, for we are created in Christ Jesus, among other things, in order to do the good works God has ordained and has prepared us to do. As it is written, “For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]” AMPLIFIED (Eph 2:10)
Although we have been “re-created” to do these foreordained works, we do not do them automatically. Often, we must be made aware of them in order that we might do them. In the case of the Corinthians, they had seen there was a work to do, and had determined to do it. However, with the passage of some time (one year), they had forgotten about the necessity of the work. Now they needed to be stirred up to actually do what they had once felt needed to be done. Thus Paul exhorted them to “perform the doing of it” (2 Cor 8:11). Now he also exhorts Titus to lead the Corinthians in the gathering of the collection.
Strictly speaking, an exhortation differs from a commandment contained in a Law. Under a system of Law, as the First Covenant, a commandment was given because of the wayward nature of the people. The commandment actually postulated a lack of desire within the people. There existed a certain hostility between man and God – even in the covenanted people of Israel. Thus they were commanded to do this or that, with the threat of death if they did not (Ex 30:20-21; 31:14,15; 35:2; Ezek 18:4,20).
However, in Christ Jesus, and within the framework of the New Covenant, a different set of circumstances exist. Now the people are “reconciled to God,” and are no longer enemies (Rom 5:10). Now the laws of God are written in their hearts and placed into their minds by God Himself, so that the people are in fundamental agreement with God (Heb 8:10; 10:16). An exhortation is a word addressed to the “new creature,” or “the new man.” The word assumes a basic affinity with God, and a foundational willingness, even though it may be obscured by the flesh. It is calling “newness of life” up to the surface, where it is more prominent.
My Own Experience
I have come from a legalistic background, where waywardness was assumed instead of new creatureship. With such a mindset I was inclined to consider exhortations to be commandments – like those that were given from Mount Sinai. For example, when I read “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together” (Heb 10:25), I considered this to be a commandment. It was therefore my obligation to gather with the saints. However, it was a blessed day when I recognized that being “dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:11) involved a willingness to be with fellow believers. Then, Hebrews 10:25 no longer sounded like a commandment. Now it was a holy reminder that “stirred up” my pure mind by way of remembrance (2 Pet 3:1). It spoke to my “new man,” and made perfect sense. It was similar to calling a hard working and hungry man to supper. There is no need to issue a commandment to eat to such a man. It is sufficient to remind him that everything is on the table, and it is time to come and eat. Such an invitation is not grievous.
BEING MORE FORWARD
“ . . . but being more forward . . .” Other versions read “being more diligent,” NKJV “but being himself more earnest,” NASB “but since he is more eager than ever,” NRSV “he was interested enough,” BBE “but, being full of zeal,” DARBY “but, being more careful,” DOUAY “but greater still was his own enthusiasm,” NJB “yea rather he was well willing,” PNT and “but was himself so keen in his enthusiasm and interest in you.” AMPLIFIED
This is an excellent example of what I have just stated. When Paul exhorted Titus to assist the brethren in Corinth in the matter of taking of the collection of reference, the word matched his own spirit. It was not contrary to his nature, but in perfect accord with it. By saying Titus was “more forward,” Paul means he was more compelled by his own desire on the matter than by Paul’s exhortation.
OF HIS OWN ACCORD
“ . . . of his own accord he went unto you.” Other versions read, “he is coming to you . . . on his own initiative,” NIV “from the impulse of his heart,” BBE “of his own will he went unto you,” DOUAY “he himself was eager to go and see you,” NLT “I think he would have come anyway, for he is very eager to see you,” LIVING “comes to you of his own free will,” WEYMOUTH and “in his enthusiasm comes to you personally at his own request.” PHILLIPS
Titus came to Corinth because he wanted to come. He saw the sense of coming, and had a fervent love for the welfare of the Corinthians. Thus he did not need to be prodded into going to them. For him, the exhortation of Paul confirmed the legitimacy of a desire he already possessed.
Anyone who has labored in the vineyard of the Lord knows how it grates upon our spirit to have to convince a person that they should do what is right. Armed with the wisdom of this world, men have taught us to grow accustomed to this circumstance. In fact, many suppose that it is actually normal for the people of God to NOT want to do what is right. They speak accommodatingly of such a condition as though God Himself thought nothing of it. Those who lead us to think in such a way are nothing more than wolves in sheep’s clothing. They have neither the mind nor the Spirit of Christ.
The Necessity of Willingness
In the kingdom of God, unwillingness, blindness, hesitancy, and dulness are all contrary to the very nature of the New Covenant. None of them can be expressed by the “new man.” They all contradict the new creation, and their presence suggests that the old remains dominant even after the new has come – which is a total misrepresentation.
Once “the new comes,” the old begins to go away. As it is written of the New Covenant, “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (Heb 8:13). The glory of the New Covenant is associated with certain changes that take place within the believer. This is seen in Paul’s poignant statement, “For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth” (2 Cor 3:10). That is, greater glory always overshadows lesser glory. That this is seen in the transformation that takes place in the individual is made clear in the eighteenth verse of the third chapter, from which the above quotations are taken. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18).
I will go so far as to say that in Christ Jesus, something that is not done of one’s “own accord” is not acceptable to God. Such a deed cannot be motivated by faith, for faith produces accord in the heart. Neither, indeed, can it possibly be an expression of “the new man.” That means it has no association with, what the Spirit calls, “newness of life.” Only expressions of the life that is imparted in Christ Jesus are acceptable to God.
The Lord will not receive something in which His own working is not the principle part. If it is God who works in us “both to will and to do of His own good pleasure,” then doing something for His glory of our “own accord” is nothing less than a revelation of that working.
That is precisely why Paul is making so much of the willingness of Titus.
ANOTHER BROTHER
“ 18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches ; 19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind.”
THE BROTHER
“And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches . . . ” Other versions read, “And we have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches,” NASB “And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel,” NIV “With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his proclaiming the good news,” NRSV and “But we are sending along with him that brother [Luke?] whose praise in the Gospel ministry [is spread] throughout all the churches.” AMPLIFIED
The importance of this collection is confirmed by the manner in which it is approached. Not only is Titus sent to lead out in this good work – a man described as Paul’s “partner and fellowhelper” (2 Cor 8:23) – but another brother is sent as well. This was to ensure that the work was initiated and maintained properly, and in order to establish that the gathered funds would be handled properly. It is not that Paul did not trust Titus, for he has established that he did, in fact, have a great deal of confidence in Titus. Rather, this reflected his knowledge of the Corinthians, who had not reacted to his ministry with any degree of consistency and thanksgiving.
The “Brother”
We do not know the identify of this “brother,” even though he was well known to “all the churches.” Throughout history, several men have been suggested. Their names include Luke, Barnabas, Silas, John Mark, and Erastus. The burden of the commentators favor Luke or Barnabas, but there is no way to substantiate precisely who it was.
There is, however, something to be seen here that is vital to our understanding of the nature of kingdom work. This man was “praised” throughout all of the churches for his association with the Gospel of Christ. It is generally understood that this related to the preaching of that Gospel – a preaching that reflected an understanding of the Gospel itself. Others, who are of the opinion that this “brother” was Luke, see this as referring to the Gospel that he wrote. If the traditional dates of writing have credence, Second Corinthians was written around 57 A.D., and the Gospel of Luke was written between 58 and 65 A.D. If this is true, Paul could not be referring to the writing of Luke’s Gospel. It appears he is rather speaking of the insightful preaching of the Gospel.
The point is that the fame of this brother sprang out of his presentation of the Gospel. He was not well known for building a large congregation, or for his scholastic credentials, or for some specialized ministry among a select group of people. Rather, this “brother” was praised and lauded among all of the churches for his presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I find it exceedingly difficult to believe this “brother” could possibly be of note among the professing churches of our day. There are very few men within the professed church who are noted for what they say, or teach, or preach. Some are noted for the size of their church. Others are noted for some unique work they have done, or for their focus on a particular people group. Whoever this was, he was a seasoned worker in the Lord’s vineyard, having a grasp of the Gospel, and being able to communicate if effectively.
I must admit, if this was the criteria for selecting helpers for the work of the Lord, the pool of potential laborers would shrink considerably. However, let it be clear that this is how godly minds reason concerning the work of the Lord. This is confirmed by the words that follow.
CHOSEN BY THE CHURCHES
“And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace . . . ” Other versions read, “to travel with us with this gift,” NKJV “to travel with us in this gracious work,” NASB and “to accompany us as we carry this offering.” NIV
The “churches” did not select this “brother” because he showed a lot of potential, and traveling with Paul would constitute some excellent experience. The brother himself had to be insightful and trustworthy. He had to have been proved faithful in handling the things of God.
Here is an example of someone that was “approved of men” (Rom 14:18). Like the “elders” of old time, he had “obtained a good report” (Heb 11:2,39). It could be said of him, as was said of another faithful brother, “Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself” (3 John 1:12).
You also see in this text that a certain harmony existed among the churches. They were all familiar with faithful kingdom laborers, and joined together in God-glorifying works.
The offering that is being gathered for the poor saints is here referred to as “this grace,” or “this gift,” NKJV “this gracious work,” NASB, or “this offering.” NIV The fact that Paul himself is administering this good work confirms its importance. This is also why he took great care to ensure that the gathering of the funds was done properly, and that due care was taken to ensure that they served their intended function.
MINISTERED BY THE GLORY OF THE SAME LORD
“ . . . which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, . . . ” Other versions read, “which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself,” NASB “while we are administering this gracious undertaking for the glory of the Lord Himself,” NRSV “which we are carrying on,” RSV “a service that glorifies the Lord.” NLT and “which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself.” AMPLIFIED
The fact that Paul himself is administering this good work confirms its importance. This is also why he took great care to ensure that the gathering of the funds was done properly, and that due care was taken to ensure that they served their intended function.
However, Paul was not administering these funds for their practical use alone, although that was important. Remember, the life that he was living, as he himself confessed, was lived “by faith in the Son of God, who lived” him “and gave Himself” for him (Gal 2:20). Fundamentally, he was not living for Himself, or even for those whom he loved, and to whom he ministered. He knew that the calculated effect of salvation is to live “unto Him who died for them and rose again” NKJV (2 Cor 5:15). Whatever is done is to be done for the glory of God. As it is written, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). That “glory” will be brought to the Lord in a variety of ways. Here are just a few of them,
☛ He himself will give thanks to God for the willing contributions of the saints.
☛ Believers everywhere will give thanks that God has cared for His people.
☛ The brethren receiving the offering will give thanks that their needs have been met.
☛ Believers who hear of this abundance will be encouraged to also do good to all, especially those who are of the household of faith.
☛ God will be glorified when the world beholds the care the saints have for one another.
☛ The angels will praise God when they behold His marvelous workings among the sons of men.
Those who have a consistent mind to see God glorified by their actions have made considerable progress in the faith. They have, in fact, entered into the work of the Lord, and God will take due note of it. It is written, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Heb 6:10).
THE DECLARATION OF YOUR READY MIND
“ . . . and declaration of your ready mind.” Other versions read, “to show your ready mind,” NKJV “and to show your readiness,” NASB “and to show your eagerness to help,” NIV “and to show your goodwill,” NRSV “and declaration of your prompt mind,” GENEVA “and to stir up your prompt mind,” TYNDALE and “to demonstrate the willingness of us Christians to help one another.” PHILLIPS
More recent versions of Scripture read as though Paul was speaking of himself: “and to show our eagerness to help,” NIV “and to show our goodwill,” NRSV “our eagerness fo help,” NLT and “of my readiness to serve.” WILLIAMS This view is wholly misleading, for Paul is not speaking of himself alone, but of true believers in general. He includes the Corinthians and other believers with himself, as though to confirm that this is the manner in which those who are in Christ care for one another. The academic mind can be too lifeless in its approach to Scripture, running through texts like a lifeless robot. While the technical rules of language may appear to justify such a lifeless approach, there is more to be considered that the stereotyped rules of language – all of which are of human origin. The text of Scripture also has a spirit, an aim, and a purpose that are to be properly communicated.
Paul uses the word “we” throughout Second Corinthians to denote all believers. A few examples will suffice to illustrate this point.
☛ “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor 1:4).
☛ “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Cor 1:22).
☛ “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4:6).
☛ “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Cor 4:7).
☛ “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:16-17).
☛ “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor 5:1).
☛ “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more” (2 Cor 5:16).
The repository of grace was not for the Apostles alone. They had a special work to do that required special benefits. But the benefits were not their’s alone. They were themselves members of “the church,” being placed in it (1 Cor 12:28). God did not place the church in them, but put them into the church.
Thus Paul is accenting that the care that was being revealed in the collection that is being taken for the poor saints in Jerusalem, was actually a display of the kind of life that we have in Christ Jesus. It was a exhibit of the kind of life that brings glory to God, satisfying benefits to the saints, and joy to angels.
A Ready Mind
A certain “readiness of mind” was made known in the original willingness of the Corinthians to gather this collection (2 Cor 8:11). Now that readiness was being stirred up by Paul’s exhortation, and the help of Titus as well. That forwardness of mind was matched by Paul’s zeal and preparation to thankfully receive, safely transport, and distribute the offering, thereby glorifying God. Such is the manner of faithful laborers.
AVOIDING BLAME
“ 20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us . . .”
AVOIDING
“Avoiding this . . . ” Other versions read, “taking precaution,” NASB “We want to avoid,” NIV “We intend that no one,” NRSV “We take this course so that,” ESV “by traveling together we will guard against.” NLT and “For [we are on our guard, intending that.” AMPLIFIED
In making the arrangements for Titus and accompanying brethren gathering and transporting the offering, Paul as using his seasoned judgment. He was laboring to avoid anything that would place a blotch upon this whole matter.
In the work of the Lord, there is no room for childlike naivety. An awareness of looming dangers is as necessary as being alert to heaven-sent opportunities. It must ever be remembered that the work of the Lord is presently being carried out in a hostile environment. We dare not conduct the Lord’s affairs as though this circumstance did not exist. This is one reason why Paul exercised himself “to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).
NO MAN SHOULD BLAME US
“ . . . that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us . . .” Other versions read, “that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us,” NKJV “that no one should discredit us in our administration of this generous gift,” NASB “to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift,” NIV and “[For] we are on our guard, intending that no one should find anything for which to blame us in regard to our administration of this large contribution.” AMPLIFIED
Operating under the auspices of the devil, there are evil men who are seeking to find an occasion against the Lord and His people. They want to cast reproach upon the work of the Lord as well. Knowing this, Paul was “wise as a serpent” (Matt 10:16), conducting his affairs so they could not be subverted or reproached by the enemy. Some of the things that might have been imagined include:
☛ That Paul himself was untrustworthy, and thus those who joined any cause he espoused were foolish.
☛ That others might see any hesitancy in the Corinthians to do what they had pledged themselves to do, and thus question their identity with Christ.
☛ That the hopes of the poor saints in Jerusalem would be frustrated, and thus their faith weakened at the report of any hesitancy in the Corinthians.
☛ That the churches distrusted Paul, and thus failed to rally behind the cause he had espoused.
It should not surprise us that the enemies of the faith seek an occasion against the people of God. The enemies of the Lord laid snares for Jesus, “to catch Him in His words” (Mk 12:13). It is written that the Pharisees “took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk” (Mat 22:15). Luke says they were “Laying wait for Him, and seeking to catch something out of His mouth, that they might accuse Him” (Luke 11:54).
Jeremiah’s foes said, “Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah” (Jer 18:18). Some sought to “make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought” (Isa 29:21). David confessed, “The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah” (Psa 140:5).
Godly men conduct their lives with such foes in mind, maintaining the strictest integrity in their affairs. They exercise themselves to avoid anything that can be interpreted as foolish, therefore giving an occasion for the enemies to blaspheme the word of the Lord, or cast reproach upon His work.
This circumstance demands a state of soundmindedness and alertness. A religion that leaves people in a naive, overly simplistic, and disarmed state is a dangerous one – both to those who possess it, and to others who are doing the Lord’s work. Who is the godly servant who has not found his work to be more difficult because of charlatans and religious opportunists living in his time? It is time for those who labor for Christ to do so discreetly and with great wisdom.
PROVIDING FOR HONEST THINGS
“ 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”
Here, we are being exposed to the thinking and reasoning of a godly man – a man in whom the Spirit of God was at work. When the Lord works in a man “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil 2:12), there is more being done than the work itself. Those who are employed by the Lord obtain a certain frame of mind – one that is consistent with “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2;16). You may remember that Jesus looked squarely into the face of His enemies, and before the people challenged them, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” (John 8:46). He also told His disciples, “the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me” (John 14:30).
The very first qualification for those who feed and care for the “flock of God” is that they be “blameless” (1 Tim 3:2). Such must also “have a good report of them which are without” (1 Tim 3:7). In delineating what makes our work for the Lord acceptable, the Spirit witnesses, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men” (Rom 14:17-18).
Coupled with his fellowship with Christ, a keen awareness of these things moved Paul to do the things he now mentions. He knew that the work is important, and that it must not allow for reproach to be cast upon the Lord, His Word, or His great salvation.
PROVIDING THINGS HONEST
“Providing for honest things . . . ” Other versions read, “providing honorable things,” NKJV “we have regard for what is honorable,” NASB “For we are taking pains to do what is right,” NIV “for we aim at what is honorable,” RSV ‘For business has been so ordered by us as to have the approval,” BBE and “For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion.” AMPLIFIED
While God works within His people “both to will and to do,” this does not exclude the personal involvement of the saints in the process. Here the apostle states that something was “provided – not provided to them, but provided by them.
Providing
The word “provide” is a most interesting one, revealing certain aspects of the kingdom of God that underscore that something happens within those who are reconciled to God. The word “providing” comes from the Greek word pronoou/men (pron-o-sue-men), which has the lexical meaning, “to perceive before, forsee,to provide, think of beforehand,” THAYER “perceive ahead of time, forsee, provide for someone, take thought for. . . be concerned to show,” FRIBERG “have a mind to do,” UBS “to think about something ahead of time, with the implication that one can then respond appropriately . . . ‘to give attention to beforehand,” LOUW-NIDA and “to think of or plan beforehand . . . take measures of precaution.” LIDDELL-SCOTT
In the grand scheme of being willing and doing (Phil 2:12), this is more on the side of willing than doing. It is a preparatory action that precedes the actual doing of the thing. The act of “providing” determines not only what will be done, but how it will be done. In this case, the offering for the saints will be gathered, delivered, and distributed in such a way as not to provoke an erroneous conclusion. The whole project was calculated to avoid any kind of erroneous conclusion about God, Christ, the work of the Lord, or the kind of nature that is communicated to those who are “joined to the Lord.” That is, the work was approached with the Lord and His purpose in mind, and what associations men would make between them and the collection that was being gathered.
This kind of purposeful planning is one of the distinguishing marks of spiritual maturity. The novice, or those who are unlearned in the ways of the Lord and the manner of His kingdom, do not go about things in this way. Some, for example, might purpose to reach people for Christ by staging events that are much like that of the world. In their efforts to reach “the lost,” they might offer musical productions that are actually in a worldly format. Others might seek to raise funds for, what they conceive to be, noble causes. However, they go about it much like a manufacturer of liquor goes about marketing its product. To say that such approaches are unwise appears to me to be a great understatement, even though it is quite common for such approaches to be found within the Christian community. Invariably, and without exception, they are always evidence of spiritual obtuseness, and often of outright and unvarnished carnality.
There are a host of completely erroneous views of God, Christ, Scripture, the church, and salvation that are the direct result of how unthoughtful people have conducted the affairs of the church. Those who allowed for such conclusions, unlike Paul, did not make the proper provisions.
Things Honest
Precisely what are “things honest?” They are things that are obviously honest and honorable – things that give no appearance of corruption, dishonesty, or having ignoble motives. There is no apparent connection between “things honest” and things tainted with selfishness, reproachful gain, and the likes.
The expression “honest things” comes from a single Greek word: kala. (kaa-la). This is a most unique word meaning, “sound, whole . . . good; beautiful . . . distinguished in form, excellence, goodness, excellent in nature, and well adapted to its ends,” THAYER “a quality of freedom from defects,” FRIBERG “good, right, proper, fitting, better, honorable, honest, fine.” UBS “pertaining to positive moral quality, with the implication of being favorable valued,” LOUW-NIDA and “the decencies, proprieties, elegancies of life.” LIDDELL-SCOTT
A modern example of “things honest” is the aid that is being given to those who suffered in the recent hurricane and floods in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi (August/September, 2005). The outpouring of much needed supplies and assistance has drawn the attention of men, and is consistently seen as something good, honorable, and excellent in nature.
IN THE SIGHT OF GOD
“ . . . not only in the sight of the Lord, . . . ” Other versions read, “not only in the eyes of the Lord,” NIV and “to have the approval, not only of the Lord.” BBE
Here, the idea is that it is a foregone conclusion that the Lord sees what we do – beholding it thoroughly, from every perspective, and in all of its details. The truth of the matter is “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb 4:13). As Samuel well said, “the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). David said, “the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts” (1 Chron 28:9). Solomon confessed, “for Thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men” (2 Chron 6:30). There can be no question about this. The Lord beholds, weighs, and will finally judge what we do, why we did it, and how we did it.
The point here is that Paul devised his plans with this reality in mind. Before he initiated the project, He thought of God and how He would view what he was doing. He considered how the project would be perceived in heaven, and how the Lord would evaluate how he went about the gathering of this collection, and the words he would use to stir up the people to respond in a comely manner. What would the Lord think of the individuals he chose to implement this purpose, and of the way they went about gathering the collection, transporting it to the saints, and making the distribution of it. Would the Lord consider it to be honest, wholesome, good, excellent in nature, and a respectable way to go about meeting the needs of the saints?
This is the way in which all godly purposes should be conceived and carried out, whatever they may be. Perhaps it is delivering a message, giving an exhortation, making an appeal to assist needy souls, or bestowing some gift of kindness upon any of the sons of men, especially those who are of the household of faith. In the end, God will give His evaluation of the effort, whatever it may be. Is it not wise to consider His thoughts on the matter now, and make the appropriate plans for giving an account of it before His throne? Is it not written, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10). Is it not on the part of wisdom to consider that fact IN our planning, purposing, words, and deeds?
In my judgment, many a sermon would never be preached, and many a religious deed would never be done if men first considered how it will appear “in the sight of God” – the One who will finally evaluate and judge the work, pronouncing before an assembled universe precisely how it appeared to Him. At that time, there will be no other view of the matter, for God is a “God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He” (Deut 32:4). His view is THE view – all other perspectives will be trashed.
ALSO IN THE SIGHT OF MEN“ . . . but also in the sight of men.”
The word “also” is one of perspective. AFTER, and only after, we have pondered how the matter appears “in the sight of God,” may we properly consider how appears “in the sight of men.” Whereas God sees “all things,” man can only behold the outward appearance of things. As it is written, “man looketh on the outward appearance” (1 Sam 16:7). The deficiency of such a view is seen in the words of our blessed Lord: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). That is because the outward view is not a thorough view. There is more to any matter than what appears.
However, notwithstanding that circumstance, God does not allow for what appears outwardly to be in fundamental conflict with the truth. He does not allow a person to be pure within, but corrupt without. A righteous person is likened to a “good tree” that CANNOT bring forth “corrupt fruit” (Luke 6:43). God does not employ obviously contemptible manners to accomplish holy purposes. It is true that the wisdom of God is foolishness with men (1 Cor 1:21-25). However, that is not the view that is being expounded in this text.
Providing things that are honest “in the sight of men” was lived out by Jesus among men. He did not appear before men as an insurrectionist like Barabbas (Mk 15:7). He did not “devour widows houses” like the scribes and the Pharisees (Matt 23:14). He did not speak reproachfully of those who were infirm, like “the Jews” who questioned a blind man Jesus had healed (John 9:34). He did not call for the brutal crucifixion of a man, as did chief priests and the people they moved (Mk 15:13).
It is written of Jesus that “the common people heard Him gladly” (Mk 12:37). His message and His manner were good – especially to those who were seeking the Lord. The people saw no conflict between what Jesus said, what He did, and how He conducted Himself among them. On one occasion when Jesus’ enemies “sought to lay hold on Him,” they could not do so, for “they feared the people” who knew Jesus was not an evil man or a breaker of the law (Mk 12:12; Lk 20:19; 22:2).
On one occasion, Jesus challenged His enemies to point out anything He had done that justified their desire to stone Him. “Many good works have I showed you from My Father; for which of those works do ye stone Me?” (John 10:32). Another time He hurled this challenge at those who opposed Him: “Which of you convinceth Me of sin?” (John 8:46). Later, Jesus pointed out to His disciples the reason for the inability of anyone to charge Him with doing wrong: “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” (John 14:30). It is written that He “DID no sin” (1 Pet 2:22). His conduct was so impeccably pure that His enemies had to seek “false witnesses against” Him in order justify Him being brought before their courts. Even then, it is written they “found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days” (Mat 26:60-61). No one could point to anything Jesus had done and successfully affirm that it was wrong. When they found false witnesses who finally agreed on something, His words were misrepresented.
Jesus had provided things that were “honest,” not only in the sight of God the Father, whom He consistently pleased and obeyed (John 8:29), but even before men. This is the only acceptable way to live before God. God is not honored when those who profess to be His children do things that are even wrong in the eyes of men. This was one of the reasons for Paul upbraiding the Corinthians for the immorality found among them. Such sin was even recognized as repulsive to the Gentiles, who know not God. “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife” (1 Cor 5:1).
In a day that is marked by all manner of religious marketing and promotion, this verse needs to be shouted from the housetops. Offering gifts for donations, and entertainment to lure the young, is not providing things that are honest in the sight of God, and “also in the sight of men.” This is plain enough, so no further explanation is required.
DILIGENCE THAT HAS BEEN PROVED
“ 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.”
There are people within the body of Christ who have distinguished themselves in the service of the Lord. This is particularly important to consider in a day when distinction often lies in areas that have little or nothing to do with one’s identity with God through Christ Jesus. Such things as academic credentials, institutional success, and the likes, by no means qualify a person for Divine employment. It is true that men have created a religious context in which such things appear to be of great worth. However, it is only in the flesh that such delusions become appealing.
This by no means suggests that education, excellent organizational skills, and similar things, are wrong. No person of sound mind despises the culturing of the mind and diligence in doing things that are outwardly impressive. What I am saying is that these are not the areas in which the believer is “prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim 2:21). First, in this text we will find that the kind of work in which one engages is of primary importance. Second, the diligence, zeal, and spiritual industriousness with which the work is done is to be considered.
WE SENT OUR BROTHER