2 Corinthians 7King James Version
Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Paul rejoices over the church's repentance.
Paul presents the Macedonian churches as a model of generosity. These churches gave out of severe poverty and asked to be included in the offering, rather than needing to be persuaded. He uses Christ's voluntary poverty as the theological foundation for giving. He sends Titus back to Corinth to complete the collection and encourages the Corinthians to finish what they started a year ago, giving according to what they have, not what they do not have.
The Macedonians gave first themselves, then their money, because they understood that generosity flows from having grasped what Christ gave up, not from having abundance to spare.
"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 be rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9) This single verse is the entire theology of generosity in Paul: giving as a participation in the pattern Christ set, not a transaction driven by guilt or reward.
Churches in northern Greece, poor themselves, hear that Jerusalem believers are in need. Instead of waiting for the ask, they press Paul to take their gifts. They gave what they could not technically afford, and their delight in doing it confused everyone who thought giving required surplus.
The Macedonian churches, including Philippi and Thessalonica, who gave beyond their means. Titus, sent to Corinth as the primary collector. An unnamed brother, praised throughout the churches, sent alongside Titus. A third unnamed brother, confident and diligent.
The Jerusalem collection was one of Paul's primary projects for years, representing his commitment to Jewish-Gentile unity in the body of Christ. By linking the collection to Christology (v.9) rather than just social need or obligation, Paul transforms a fundraising appeal into a theological statement: your giving is a re-enactment of the incarnation. You are making yourself poor so others can be enriched.
The Macedonians begged to be allowed to give. They were not guilted into it. That kind of generosity does not come from pressure; it comes from having been deeply touched by what they received.
1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
3I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
5For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
6Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
8For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
12Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
13Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
14For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
15And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
16I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.