2 Corinthians 8:1-15
(2 Corinthians 8:7-15)
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- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and Comparative
Texts:
- II.19, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- From the
Geneva Notes.
- "Christian liberality is mutual, so that one does not have too much, and the other to little."
- From
Matthew Henry's
Commentary.
- "Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance."
- From
Wesley's Notes.
- "Whoever acknowledges himself to be a vile, guilty sinner, and, in consequence of this acknowledgment, flies for refuge to the wounds of a crucified Saviour, and relies on his merits alone for salvation, may in every circumstance of life apply this indulgent declaration to himself."
- From the
Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- "The greater was the depth of their poverty, the greater was the abundance of their joy. A delightful contrast in terms, and triumph, in fact, of spirit over flesh."
- From The People's
New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- "This is the chiefest of motives to giving. Our Lord gave up all for us. He became poor that we might be rich in heavenly riches. If he gave himself for us, what shall we give for him?"
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
- Commentary,
2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Carla Works, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
- "While this text certainly forces us to think about what we do with our resources and, therefore, should inform our stewardship drives, Paul's passion in this text relates first of all to the gospel."
- "Excel at Generosity..." Clint Schnekloth, The Hardest Question, 2012.
- "...and finish what you started!"
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
-
Commentary,
2 Corinthians 8:7-15, David Tiede, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
- "Even 'excellence' is now measured on God's standard, or by the love the apostle has given to them, not by their own performance: 'Now as you excel in everything ? in faith, in speech, in knowledge in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you ? so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking' (2 Corinthians 8:7)."
-
"First
Thoughts on Passages on Year B Epistle Passages in the Lectionary,"
Pentecost 5, William
Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
- "Here is an ideal text for preaching about financial stewardship."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
-
"Too Much and Too Little,"
Daniel Deffenbaugh, Seeds of Shalom, 2009.
- "What better metaphor for the human condition than the experience of a people, a community, wandering in the desert, altogether dependent on the unwarranted grace of a liberating God who provides manna from heaven? But this manna is a gift with limitations, offered not that some may gorge themselves and become fat while others go completely without ? a reality that many of us know all too well -- but so that a sense of equality (Paul's very word, isoteis) may abound and thus reflect the singular essence of the Kingdom of God: that 'those who have much do not have too much, and those who have little do not have too little.'"
-
Join the Feast,
2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Fred Westbrook, Union PSCE,
2009.
- "The Jerusalem collection represents a major bargain by Paul, to give his own life up to join the church together in the cause of the Gospel."
-
"Pressed into Service," Daniel Harrell, The Christian Century,
2006.
- "...for Christians, equality and justice are measured not only monetarily, but also relationally."
-
"Begging to Give," Bill O'Brien, The Christian Century, 2003.
- "The answer just might lie in churches that are begging - begging for the privilege of standing with those in need and applying a holistic gospel to the systems that deprive people of their dignity."
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-14, Pentecost: Paul the Pastor in 2 Corinthians, David Fredrickson, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1991.
- "Global Inequality," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Global Wealth," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
- "The Grace of Giving," "The Generosity of Christ," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- 2
Corinthians 8:7-15, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary's An
Exegetical Study of the Common Lectionary, coordinated by Prof.
John E. Alsup, features rough translation, disposition, immediate
context, broader context, hermeneutical bridge, and contemporary
address.
- "The gift has a purpose -- to meet a need, to nourish the body of Christ, to enable the Body of Christ to do its ministry in the world."
- Commentary,
2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Carla Works, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
- Articles & Background:
-
"Global Inequality," Douglas A. Hicks,
(other resources at)
"Global Wealth," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian
Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
- "Are the world?s rich and poor growing closer together or farther apart? Why should we care either way? The Christian story expands our moral vision to see every person not as a potential consumer in a global market, but as a reflection of God?s image."
- "Relationship between 2 Cor. 8 and 9 in Terms of Rhetoric and Ethics," Kota Yamada, Queen: A Journal of Rhetoric and Power.
-
"The Liturgy of Abundance, the Myth of Scarcity," Walter Brueggemann,
The Christian Century, 1999.
- "In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul directs a stewardship campaign for the early church and presents Jesus as the new economist."
-
"Global Inequality," Douglas A. Hicks,
(other resources at)
"Global Wealth," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian
Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Brueggemann, Walter, "The Liturgy of
Abundance, the Myth of Scarcity," The Christian Century, 1999.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Craddock, Fred.,
"The Poverty of Christ: An Investigation of II Corinthians 8:9,"
Interpretation, 1968.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Fredrickson, David, "Pentecost: Paul
the Pastor in 2 Corinthians," Word & World, 1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Harrell, Daniel,
"Pressed into Service," The Christian Century,
2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Kolb, Robert, "Homiletical
Helps on LW Series B - Epistles," Concordia Journal, 2006.
(Section on this text begins on p. 232.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Linss, Wilhelm C.,
"The First World Hunger Appeal," Currents in Theology and Mission,
1985.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Melick, Richard R., Jr., "The
Collection for the Saints: 2 Corinthians 8-9," Criswell Theological
Journal, 1989.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - O'Brien, Bill, "Begging to Give,"
The Christian Century, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Rhyne, C Thomas, "2 Corinthians
8:8-15," Interpretation, 1987.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Stowers, Stanley K.,
"Peri Men Gar and the Integrity of 2 Cor. 8 and 9," Novum
Testamentum, 1990.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Talbert, Charles H.,
"Money Management in Early Mediterranean Christianity: 2 Corinthians 8 - 9,"
Review and Expositor, 1989.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Brueggemann, Walter, "The Liturgy of
Abundance, the Myth of Scarcity," The Christian Century, 1999.
- Reviews:
- Sermons:
- Give generously -- Sermon for Proper 8 based on 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 by Janice B. Scott from SermonSuite
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Proper 8, Ordinary 13, Pentecost +5, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
- "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," July 1, 2012, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 and The MAn Who Caught Fish by Walter Lyon Krupdop.
- "The Churches of Macedonia are Giving," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
- Drama:
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Commercial Site: Equality (Visual Liturgy: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15), The Work of the People.
- Hymns and Music:
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: 2 Corinthians 8:9. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of 2 Corinthians
