John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:1

"Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;" — 2 Corinthians 8:1 (ASV)

Since any lingering offense among the Corinthians, caused by the severity of the preceding Epistle, might hinder Paul's authority over them, he has until now endeavored to win their affection. Now, after clearing away all cause for offense and regaining favor for his ministry, he recommends the brethren at Jerusalem to them, so that they may provide help for their needs.

He could not have attempted this with any great advantage at the beginning of the Epistle. Therefore, he prudently deferred it until he had prepared their minds for it.

Accordingly, he dedicates this entire chapter and the next to exhorting the Corinthians to be active and diligent in collecting alms to be taken to Jerusalem for relieving the poverty of the brethren. For they were afflicted with a great famine, so that they could hardly sustain themselves without being aided by other churches. The Apostles had entrusted Paul with this matter (Galatians 2:10), and he had promised to attend to it. He had already done so in part, as we have seen in the previous Epistle. Now, however, he urges them still further.

I make known to you. He commends the Macedonians, but with the intention of stimulating the Corinthians by their example, although he does not expressly say so. For the Macedonians had no need of commendation, but the Corinthians needed a stimulus. And to stir the Corinthians further to emulation, he ascribes it to the grace of God that the Macedonians had been so ready to give help to their brethren.

For although all acknowledge that it is a commendable virtue to help the needy, they nevertheless do not consider it a gain, nor do they view it as the grace of God. Instead, they consider that it is merely so much of what was theirs taken from them and lost. Paul, on the other hand, declares that we ought to ascribe it to the grace of God when we provide aid to our brethren, and that we should desire this as an extraordinary privilege.

He mentions, however, a twofold favor that had been bestowed upon the Macedonians. The first is that they had endured afflictions with composure and cheerfulness. The second is that from their meager resources, just as if they had possessed abundance, they had taken something to be given to their brethren.

Paul rightly affirms that each of these things is a work of the Lord. For all who are not upheld by the Spirit of God (the Author of all consolation) quickly fail. And deeply rooted distrust clings to us, keeping us back from all acts of love, until it is subdued by the grace of the same Spirit.