how in much proof of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.
Parallel Translations
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how in much proof of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.
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how that the aboundaunce of their reioysing is that they are tried with moche tribulacion. And therto though they were excedinge poore yet haue they geue excedinge richly and that in singlenesse.
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Because in great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie.
Cross-references (17)
Passages linked to 2 Corinthians 8:2 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?
- Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
- 2 Corinthians 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
- Deuteronomy 15:4 However there will be no poor with you (for Yahweh will surely bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance to possess)
- 2 Corinthians 9:13 seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all,
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 that no one would be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.
- Revelation 2:9 “I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
- Mark 12:42-44 A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
- Luke 21:1-4 He looked up and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury. He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them, for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”
- Isaiah 32:5-8 The fool will no longer be called noble, nor the scoundrel be highly respected. For the fool will speak folly, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice profanity, and to utter error against Yahweh, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. The ways of the scoundrel are evil. He devises wicked plans to destroy the humble with lying words, even when the needy speaks right. But the noble devises noble things; and he will continue in noble things.
- Romans 12:8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
- 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
- 2 Corinthians 9:11 you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews
- Nehemiah 8:10-12 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Hold your peace, for the day is holy. Don’t be grieved.” All the people went their way to eat, to drink, to send portions, and to celebrate, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
- Acts 2:45-46 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (17 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 2. In much trial — In other words, while…
2. In much trial — In other words, while they were tried with adversity, they, nevertheless, did not cease to rejoice in the Lord: nay, this disposition rose so high, as to swallow up sorrow; for the minds of the Macedonians, which must otherwise have been straitened, required to be set free from their restraints, that they might liberally furnish aid to the brethren.
By the term joy he means that spiritual consolation by which believers are sustained under their afflictions; for the wicked either delude themselves with empty consolations, by avoiding a perception of the evil, and drawing off the mind to rambling thoughts, or else they wholly give way to grief, and allow themselves to be overwhelmed with it. Believers, on the other hand, seek occasions of joy in the affliction itself, as we see in the 8th chapter of the Romans.
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And their deep poverty. Here we have a metaphor taken from exhausted vessels, as though he had said, that the Macedonians had been emptied, so that they had now reached the bottom. He says, that even in such straits they had abounded in liberality, and had been rich, so as to have enough — not merely for their own use, but also for giving assistance to others. Mark the way, in which we shall always be liberal even in the most straitened poverty — if by liberality of mind we make up for what is deficient in our coffers.
Liberality is opposed to niggardliness, as in Romans 12:8, where Paul requires this on the part of deacons. For what makes us more close-handed than we ought to be is — when we look too carefully, and too far forward, in contemplating the dangers that may occur — when we are excessively cautious and careful — when we calculate too narrowly what we will require during our whole life, or, in fine, how much we lose when the smallest portion is taken away. The man, that depends upon the blessing of the Lord, has his mind set free from these trammels, and has, at the same time, his hands opened for beneficence. Let us now draw an argument from the less to the greater. “Slender means, nay poverty, did not prevent the Macedonians from doing good to their brethren: What excuse, then, will the Corinthians have, if they keep back, while opulent and affluent in comparison of them?”
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain For those manifold afflictions wherewith the Lord tried them,…
For those manifold afflictions wherewith the Lord tried them, did not only not quail their joyful readiness, but also made it much more excellent, and famous.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 2 How that in a great trial of affliction…
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
Ver. 2. In a great trial of affliction] For affliction tries what metal we are made of. Alchemy gold will not endure the seventh fire as true gold will. Affliction (the trial of our faith) is more precious than gold, 1Pe 1:7. What then is faith itself so tried? Rev 3:18.
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The abundance of their joy] While the spirit of glory and of God rested upon them, 1Pe 4:14. Well may grace be called the divine nature; for, as God brings light out of darkness, riches out of poverty, &c., so doth grace: it turns dirt into gold, &c. The world wonders (said that martyr) how we can be so merry in such extreme misery. But our God is omnipotent, which turneth misery into felicity. {See Trapp on "2Co 7:4"}
Their deep poverty] Gr. η κατα βαθους πτωχεια, their poverty being now at the very bottom, and having little left beside hope; they were even exhausted, and yet gave liberally. Giles of Brussels, martyr, gave to the poor whatsoever he had, that necessity could spare, and only lived by his science, which was of a cutler. {a} Some he refreshed with his meat, some with his clothes, some with his household stuff. One poor woman there was brought to bed, and had no bed to lie in; to whom he brought his own bed, himself content to lie in the straw.
Unto the riches of their liberality] Gr. απλοτης, of their simplicity, in opposition to that crafty and witty willingness of the covetous to defend themselves from the danger of liberality; wherein also they are utterly mistaken; for not getting, but giving is the way to thrive. {See Trapp on "Mat 6:4"}
{a} One who makes, deals in, or repairs knives and similar cutting utensils. ŒD
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain In a great trial of affliction; how great the…
In a great trial of affliction; how great the afflictions of the churches in Macedonia were, both from the Jews and pagans, may be read in Act 16:1-40 and Act 17:1-34. Afflictions are called trials, because under them God maketh a trial of our faith, patience, and constancy; and the devil also, ordinarily, by them trieth to draw out our lusts and corruptions.
The abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded into the riches of their liberality; God made their inward peace and joy in the Holy Ghost so to abound in them under their trials, that though they were poor, (deeply poor), yet they abounded in the riches of liberality; not ministering to the necessities of their poor brethren in proportion to their abilities, or as might have been expected from men under their circumstances, but showing themselves rich in their liberality, though poor in their estates, and as to what they had of this world’s goods.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain How that in a great trial of affliction,.... The…
How that in a great trial of affliction,.... The apostle proceeds to show the condition these churches were in when, and the manner in which, they contributed to the relief of others. They were in affliction: they received the Gospel at first in much affliction, as did the church at Thessalonica, which was one of them; and afterwards suffered much from their countrymen for the profession of it, by reproaches, persecutions, imprisonments, confiscation of goods, &c. They were under trying afflictions, which tried their faith and patience, and in many of them. Now for persons in prosperity, when all things go well with them, to be liberal is no such great matter; but for persons in adversity, under trying dispensations of Providence, amidst many afflictive ones to communicate generously to the relief of others, is something very remarkable, and worthy of notice and imitation, which was the case of these churches: for notwithstanding this,
the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded unto the riches of their liberality; so that it appears likewise that they were not only in great afflictions, but in deep poverty; had but an handful of meal in the barrel, and a little oil in the cruse, their purses almost empty, and their coffers almost exhausted; they had gotten to the bottom of their substance, had but very little left; and yet freely gave, with joy, even with an abundance of it. The allusion seems to be to the words of David, in Ch1 22:14 now behold, which the Septuagint render by , "according to my poverty, I have prepared for the house of the Lord an hundred thousand talents of gold", &c. for by "the abundance of their joy", is not so much meant the joy they felt in the midst of their afflictions, so that they could glory in them, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God, as the cheerfulness of their spirits in contributing to the necessities of others; glad at heart they were that they had hearts to do good, and an opportunity of doing it; which they gladly laid hold on, observing the divine rule, "he that sheweth mercy", let him do it "with cheerfulness": and this they did, considering the small pittance they were possessed of, very largely; for though their poverty was deep, and their purses low, their hearts were large and full, and their hands ready to communicate; so that their poverty "abounded to the riches of their liberality": though their poverty was great, their liberality was rich and large; though it might be but little they gave in quantity, it was much in quality, much in liberality; like the poor widow, who, of her want and penury, cast in more than all the rich besides, not in quantity, but in liberality; they only giving some, and a disproportionate part, she her all.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain In a great trial of affliction - Being continually…
In a great trial of affliction - Being continually persecuted, harassed, and plundered.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 2. In a great trial of affliction] The…
Verse 2. In a great trial of affliction] The sense of this verse is the following: The Macedonians, though both poor and persecuted, rejoiced exceedingly that an opportunity was afforded them of doing good to their more impoverished and more persecuted brethren. We can scarcely ever speak of poverty and affliction in an absolute sense; they are only comparative. Even the poor are called to relieve those who are poorer than themselves; and the afflicted, to comfort those who are more afflicted than they are. The poor and afflicted Churches of Macedonia felt this duty, and therefore came forward to the uttermost of their power to relieve their more impoverished and afflicted brethren in Judea.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain How that, in a great trial of affliction -…
How that, in a great trial of affliction - When it might be supposed they were unable to give; when many would suppose they needed the aid of others; or when it might be supposed their minds would be wholly engrossed with their own concerns. The trial to which the apostle here refers was doubtless some persecution which was excited against them, probably by the Jews; see Act 16:20; Act 17:5.
The abundance of their joy - Their joy arising from the hopes and promises of the gospel. Notwithstanding their persecutions, their joy has abounded, and the effect of their joy has been seen in the liberal contribution which they have made. Their joy could not be repressed by their persecution, and they cheerfully contributed largely to the aid of others.
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And their deep poverty - Their very low estate of poverty was made to contribute liberally to the needs of others. It is implied here:
That they were very poor - a fact arising probably from the consideration that the poor generally embraced the gospel first, and also because it is probable that they were molested and stripped of their property in persecutions (compare Heb). Act 10:34); That notwithstanding this they were enabled to make a liberal contribution - a fact demonstrating that a people can do much even when poor if all feel disposed to do it, and that afflictions are favorable to the effort; and, That one cause of this was the joy which they had even in their trials.
If a people have the joys of the gospel; if they have the consolations of religion themselves, they will somehow or other find means to contribute to the welfare of others. They will be willing to labor with reference to it, or they will find something which they can sacrifice or spare. Even their deep poverty will abound in the fruits of benevolence.
Abounded - They contributed liberally. Their joy was manifested in a large donation, notwithstanding their poverty.
Unto the riches of their liberality - Margin, “Simplicity.” The word (ἁπλότης haplotēs) used here means properly sincerity, candor, probity; then Christian simplicity, integrity; then liberality; see Rom 12:8 (Margin,); 2Co 9:11, 2Co 9:13. The phrase “riches of liberality,” is a Hebraism, meaning rich, or abundant liberality. The sense is, their liberality was much greater than could be expected from persons so poor; and the object of the apostle is, to excite the Corinthians to give liberally by their example.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Poverty hath abounded, &c. The sense seems to be,…
Poverty hath abounded, &c. The sense seems to be, that in their great poverty, they shewed the riches of their simplicity, that is, of a sincere, willing, and charitable heart. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain trial of affliction--The Greek expresses, "in affliction (or, 'tribulation')…
trial of affliction--The Greek expresses, "in affliction (or, 'tribulation') which tested them"; literally, "in a great testing of affliction."
abundance of their joy--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.
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their deep poverty--Greek, "their poverty down to the death of it."
abounded unto the riches of their liberality--another beautiful contrast in terms: their poverty had the effect, not of producing stinted gifts, but of "abounding in the riches of liberality" (not as Margin, "simplicity"; though the idea of singleness of motive to God's glory and man's good, probably enters into the idea); (compare Rom 12:8, and Margin; Co2 9:11, Margin; see on Co2 9:13; Jam 1:5).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 2. Affliction—Persecutions, as narrated in the first epistle to…
2. Affliction—Persecutions, as narrated in the first epistle to the Thessalonians.
Abundance—Nominative, together with poverty, to abounded. Their joy in the midst of persecution, and their very depth of poverty, (resulting largely from their persecution,) nevertheless overflowed in liberality. The Church at Philippi, where St. Paul writes this, commenced existence with the jailer and Lydia, pillars, and Luke, soon after as its pastor. Persecution afflicted and impoverished it; but Paul rejoices to exhibit its bright example to the rich Church of Corinth for liberality.
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The passage 3-5 makes meaning as translated, but not the true Greek meaning. Strike out the italic phrases inserted by the translator, strike out that we would receive, a false reading, and bring the word gave, in thought, to the beginning of the sentence, and we have the following: For I testify that they voluntarily, according to their power, and above their power, gave, with much entreaty imploring of us the privilege and the fellowship in the contribution to the saints; and, not merely as we hoped, but more, they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us, through God’s will. And so read, every word is an additional touch to the richness of the picture of Macedonian liberality. Their voluntariness—surpassing their ability—begging the opportunity of giving as a grace and a fellowship, is all based in the fact that they had already given themselves to Jesus, and so to Jesus’ faithful apostle, in accordance with the divine will. Solely blessed is that giving which comes from a surrendered heart; and a close test of the heart is a rich readiness to give.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 2. trial] The Greek word is always used of…
2. trial] The Greek word is always used of that which has been tried and has stood the test See notes on 1Co_11:19 and Jas_1:12 in this series. The meaning here is that tribulation has brought out the genuine Christian qualities of the Macedonian Churches. For this tribulation see 1Th_1:6; 1Th_2:14; Act_17:5.
affliction] Translated more usually tribulation. See note on ch. 2Co_1:4. The Apostle refers to the persecutions which they shared with him, which, if not endured in the proper spirit, would have shut them up in the contemplation of their own sorrows, instead of making them anxious to relieve those of others.
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the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty] Cf. 1Co_1:26. “In spite of their troubled condition they had displayed great joyfulness, and in spite of their poverty they had displayed great liberality.” De Wette. The Geneva Version instead of ‘deep poverty’ has the poverty which had consumed them even to the very bottom. The literal rendering of deep is down to the depth, or according to depth. “Munificence,” says Chrysostom, “is determined not by the measure of what is given, but by the mind of those who bestow it.” Cf. Luk_21:3. “The condition of Greece in the time of Augustus was one of great desolation and distress … It had suffered severely by being the seat of the successive civil wars between Caesar and Pompey, between the triumvirs and Brutus and Cassius, and lastly, between Augustus and Antonius … The provinces of Macedonia and Achaia petitioned in the reign of Tiberius for a diminution of their burdens, and were considered deserving of compassion.” Arnold’s Roman Commonwealth. Corinth (see Introduction to First Epistle), from its position, would no doubt recover more speedily from such a condition of depression.
the riches of their liberality] (singleness, Tyndale and Cranmer, simplicity, Rhemish, after Vulgate). It is worth remarking that nowhere, save in 1Ti_6:17, does St Paul use the word riches of material, but, with that one exception, solely of moral or spiritual wealth. Dean Stanley remarks on the fact that both the Greek word translated liberality, and its English equivalent, have a double meaning, the original meaning of the Greek word being singlettess of heart, absence of all selfish motives (see ch. 2Co_1:12), and that of the English word the habit of mind engendered by a state of freedom.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (2) In a great trial of affliction.—We do not…
(2) In a great trial of affliction.—We do not know what is specially referred to, but a community of Christians in a heathen city was always exposed to trials of this kind, and the temper shown before by the rulers at Philippi and the Jews of Thessalonica (Act_16:19-20; Act_17:5-6; 1Th_2:14) makes it almost certain that they would carry on at least a petty persecution with more or less persistency. The “poverty” at Philippi may possibly be connected with the preponderance of women in the Church there, as indicated in Act_16:13. In the absence of the bread-winners of a household, Christian women in a Græco-Roman city would find but scanty means of subsistence. In part, however, the churches were but sharers in a widely-spread distress. Macedonia and Achaia never recovered from the three wars between Cæsar and Pompeius, between the Triumvirs and Brutus and Cassius, and between Augustus and Antonius. Under Tiberius, they petitioned for a diminution of their burdens, and were accordingly transferred for a time from the jurisdiction of the senate to that of the emperor, as involving a less heavy taxation.
Unto the riches of their liberality.—The primary meaning of the word, as in 2Co_1:12 (where see Note), is simplicity, or singleness of purpose. That singleness, when shown in gifts, leads to “liberality,” and so the word had acquired the secondary sense in which it seems here to be used. Tyndale, and Cranmer, however, give “singleness,” and the Rhemish version “simplicity.” “Liberality” first appears in that of Geneva.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain In a great trial of affliction; rather, in much…
In a great trial of affliction; rather, in much testing of affliction; i.e. in an affliction which put to the proof their Christian character. "They were not simply afflicted," says St. Chrysostom, "but in such a way as also to become approved by their endurance." (For the word rendered "trial," see Rom_5:4, and in this Epistle, 2Co_2:9 2Co_9:13 2Co_13:3) "Affliction" seems to have befallen the Churches of Macedonia very heavily, (1Th_1:6 1Th_2:14) chiefly through the jealousy of the Jews, who excited the hatred of the Gentiles. (Act_16:20 Act_17:5, Act_17:13) The abundance of their joy. Another reference to joy in sadness. (see on 2Co_7:4) There is not the least necessity to understand the verb "is" or "was" after this clause. "The abundance abounded" is indeed a pleonasm, but is not at all unlike the style of St. Paul. He means to say that their joy overflowed their affliction, and their liberality overflowed their poverty. (Mar_12:44) Their deep poverty; literally, their pauperism to the depth; their abysmal penury. Though they were baquptwcoi, they showed themselves in generosity to be baquploutoi. Stanley refers to Arnold"s "Roman Commonwealth," where he mentions that the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia, which had suffered greatly in the three civil wars, appealed successfully to Tiberius for a diminution of their burdens. The gift of the Macedonians was like the widow"s mite. Luk_21:3, Luk_21:4, where similar words occur perisseuo, husterema Of their liberality; rather, of their singleness of purpose or simplicity. (Eph_6:5) The "grace" and single-heartedness to which he alludes showed themselves in liberality.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain How that in a great trial … the abundance…
2Co_8:2-4
How that in a great trial … the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty.
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The poverty of the Macedonians
The condition of Greece in the time of Augustus was one of desolation and distress. It had suffered severely by being the seat of the successive civil wars between Caesar and Pompey, between the Triumvirs and Brutus and Cassius, and, lastly, between Augustus and Antonius. Besides, the country had never recovered from the long series of miseries which had succeeded and accompanied its conquest by the Romans; and between those times and the civil contest between Pompey and Caesar, it had been again exposed to all the evils of war when Sylla was disputing the possession of it with the general of Mithridates The provinces of Macedonia and Achaia, when they petitioned for a diminution of their burdens, in the reign of Tiberius, were considered so deserving of compassion that they were transferred for a time from the jurisdiction of the Senate to that of the Emperor (as involving less heavy taxation). (T. Arnold, D. D.)
The best law of liberality
It has been frequently wished by Christians, says the late Dr. Payson, of America, that there were some rule laid down in the Bible, fixing the proportion of their property which they ought to contribute to religious uses. This is as if a child should go to his father, and say, Father, how many times in the day must I come to you with some testimonial of my love? How often will it be necessary to show my affection for you? The father would of course reply, Just as often as your feelings prompt you, my child, and no oftener. Just so, Christ says to His people, Look at Me, and see what I have done and suffered for you, and then give Me just what you think I deserve. I do not wish anything forced. (Christian Herald.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 2. How that in a great trial of affliction.…
2. How that in a great trial of affliction. The language seems to imply persecution. This might have been an excuse for not giving, if they had sought one. See Acts 17:6 and 1 Thess. 2:14. But, still, their joy in the gospel and their poverty combined so that they contributed with great liberality.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain how that in much proof of affliction the abundance…
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality . [The only Macedonian churches known to us were those at Philippi, Thessalonica and Beroea. The district of Macedonia had suffered in the three civil wars, and had been reduced to such poverty that Tiberius Cæsar, hearkening to their petitions, had lightened their taxes. But in addition to this general poverty, the churches had been made poor by persecution ( 2Th_1:4 ). This poverty put their Christian character to the proof, and Paul wishes the Corinthians to know, that they may be benefited by the example, how nobly the Macedonians endured the proof. Despite their afflictions they were so filled with the grace of God that their joy abounded and worked positively in combination with their abysmal poverty, which worked negatively to manifest the extreme riches of their liberality.]
J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.