2 Corinthians 8:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

See how again the Apostle joins exhortation with praises, urging them to attain greater praises. He did not say, "as you give," but "as you abound in faith," that is, in the gifts of faith.

"And in word," that is, in the word of wisdom. "And in understanding," that is, in the knowledge of the doctrines of faith.

"And in all diligence," that is, in zeal for the other virtues. "And in your love toward us," that is, "in the love of which I have already spoken and whose proof I presented."

"So abound in this virtue also." Do you see that for this reason he began his discourse with such praises, so that, proceeding in order, he might stir in them the same zeal for almsgiving also?

He exhorts with praises and says: since you abound in everything else, abound also in this matter. Do not merely give alms, but give them abundantly. This means either that they should surpass the Macedonians, or simply that they should be more generous. "In faith" means in the gifts of undoubted faith. "In word" means in the word of wisdom. "In knowledge" means in the knowledge of dogmas. "In all diligence" means in zeal for the other virtues. "And in your love for us," for he said before that they had shown Titus their love for him by being zealous on his behalf.

As he came and gladdened us by your obedience and by the joy you have in your afflictions, so may he come again and gladden us by your abundant offerings and the generosity you have shown to the poor. Thus in everything you surpass every man. But as you abound in everything, in faith, persecution, every diligence, word, knowledge, and our love for you, so also abound in this grace.

Paul summons the Corinthians to be gloried in by him among the other churches. For this is the confirmation of their correction, if they are ready for service to the saints.

The Apostle reminded them of the spiritual gifts: "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit" (1 Cor 12:8-9). He bore witness to their mutual love and, through praise, sought to instill magnanimity.

Presenting motives for almsgiving that were closer to the Corinthians, the Apostle first points to the need to be adorned with this virtue also, together with the other qualities that adorn them.

Then he says that this work has already been begun among them. According to the word of St. John Chrysostom, here the Apostle "again joins exhortation with praise, urging them to attain greater praise."

To this the Right Reverend Theophan adds: "Yet it is not difficult to notice that the qualities of the Corinthians praised by him are chiefly theoretical: faith, the gift of speech, understanding, that is, knowledge of doctrines.

"See how again the Apostle joins exhortation with praise, urging them to attain greater praise. 'As you abound,' he says, 'in everything,' all is perfectly well with you, says Oecumenius.

'In faith,' that is, in the gifts of faith. 'In word,' that is, in the word of wisdom. 'In understanding,' that is, in the knowledge of doctrines.

'In all diligence,' that is, in zeal for the other virtues. 'And in your love toward us,' that is, in the love of which I have already spoken and whose proofs I presented.

'See that you abound in this grace also.' Do you see? He began the discourse from this very point, and with such praises, so that by proceeding in order he might stir in them a similar zeal for almsgiving also" (St. Chrysostom).