Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:4

"beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:" — 2 Corinthians 8:4 (ASV)

Praying us with much entreaty. Earnestly entreating me to receive the contribution, and convey it to the poor and afflicted saints in Judea.

And take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. The Greek: "that we would take the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints." They asked us to take part in the labor of conveying it to Jerusalem.

The occasion of this distress, which made the collection for the saints of Judea necessary, was probably the famine which was predicted by Agabus, and which occurred during the time of Claudius Caesar (see the notes on Acts 11:28).

Barnabas was associated with Paul in conveying the contribution to Jerusalem (Acts 11:30). Paul was unwilling to do it unless they particularly desired it, and he seems to have insisted that some person should be associated with him (2 Corinthians 8:20; 1 Corinthians 16:3–4).