2 Corinthians 8:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"Do not be afraid," he says, "of what I said about the Thessalonians. I said this in praise of their generosity. God requires a gift according to one's strength, according to what one has, not according to what one does not have." The word "acceptable" here means the same as "required."

Trusting in the power of the example set before them, he softens his words and thereby inclines them still more strongly to give.

152. In the Apostle's words we see goodwill, generosity, and measure in generosity. He also speaks of the results and of those who give. He mentions measure because he gives advice to imperfect people. Only the imperfect cannot bear burdens.

But if someone, having become a bishop or presbyter, does not wish to burden the Church and does not give away all that he has, yet acts worthily by giving alms as befits his rank, such a man does not seem imperfect to me.

Sacerdotium refers to a bishop or presbyter, and ministerium to a presbyter or deacon. Among Christian authors, operari means "to perform almsgiving" or "to do good works." I think that here the Apostle has in mind not spiritual burdens, but material ones.

To this Bishop Theophan adds: "When there is zeal, and sincere zeal, it will draw from the treasuries everything possible. But such manifestations are not entered into the list of obligations, for by nature this is inconceivable. Therefore the Apostle writes a law of righteousness, not of love, for love has no boundaries. He establishes this order: one should do only what is possible, 'not that others should have relief and you distress, but by equality.' The one who gives his surplus brings himself to measure and raises another to his own measure; and they are made equal."

But concerning equality, Blessed Theophylact remarks: "It is not with respect to the great or small value of what is given and received in return that he says, 'let there be equality.' Rather, insofar as you abound in something, you give from it to them. Conversely, in what they abound, they give from it to you. Again, what is lacking in you, you receive from them; and what is lacking in them, they receive from you."

So it was when manna was gathered, when they were commanded to gather an omer. Though some gathered more and others less, when measured it proved to be equal for each person in every family. "But what was done there by miracle, the Apostle persuades us to do by love. Give your surplus," he says, "to the needy, and the result will be equality for both, that is, as much as each needs" (Theophan).

As though concluding the Apostle's exhortation, St. John Chrysostom speaks in his person: "You Corinthians are rich in money, while those Christians of Palestine are rich in purity of life and boldness before God. Therefore give them from the abundance of your possessions what they do not have, and receive from them in return boldness before God, in which they are rich and in which you are lacking. But what equality is there in paying spiritual things for bodily things? The latter far surpasses the former."

The Lord Jesus Christ also praised the widow because she spent all her livelihood and gave out of her poverty (Mk 12:44), but He did not make this a law for all. So too the Apostle praises those who give alms beyond their strength, but he does not compel the Corinthians to do the same. This is not because he does not desire it for them, but because they were still weak.

Otherwise, why would he praise the Churches of Macedonia, saying that their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their simplicity, and that they gave alms beyond their strength? Is it not clearly in order to move the Corinthians to the same? If he appears to agree to less, he does so in order to move them to more by the example of others" (St. Chrysostom).

It is beyond doubt that the force of zeal makes up for smallness of quantity. Yet zeal itself must be shown in deed. "The God of all usually measures what is offered by each person's strength. He looks not at quantity, but at the quality of intention" (Theodoret).

Still, the offering must be made, and made with zeal, which gives the whole value to what is offered. When there is zeal, and sincere zeal, it will draw from the treasuries everything possible.