John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:7

"But as ye abound in everything, [in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all earnestness, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also." — 2 Corinthians 8:7 (ASV)

But as he had already been very careful to avoid giving offense, since he said that Titus had urged them not so much from his own inclination as from consideration of the charge given him by the Macedonians. Now, however, he goes a step further, admonishing them that they must not even wait for the Macedonians' message to be communicated to them; and he does this, moreover, by commending their other virtues. “You ought not merely to associate yourselves as partners with the Macedonians, who require that; but surpass them in this respect, too, as you do in others.”

He makes a distinction between utterance and faith, because it is impossible that anyone should have faith, and that indeed to an eminent degree, without being at the same time well-versed in the word of God. Knowledge I understand to mean, practice and skill, or prudence. He mentions their love for him, so that he may also encourage them out of regard for himself personally; and meanwhile, he forgoes, for the sake of the public benefit of the brethren, the personal affection with which they regarded him. In this way, he restrains himself in everything, so that he might not seem to accuse them when exhorting them.