Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

"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. I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich." — 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 (ASV)

Faith is the root; and as without faith it is not possible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), so those who abound in faith will abound in other graces and good works also; and this will work and show itself by love. Great talkers are not always the best doers; but these Corinthians were diligent to do, as well as to know and talk well.

To all these good things the apostle desires them to add this grace also: to abound in charity to the poor. The best arguments for Christian duties are drawn from the grace and love of Christ. Though he was rich, as being God, equal in power and glory with the Father, yet he not only became man for us, but became poor also. Finally, he emptied himself, as it were, to ransom their souls by his sacrifice on the cross.

From what riches, blessed Lord, to what poverty did you descend for our sakes! And to what riches have you advanced us through your poverty! It is our happiness to be wholly at your disposal.