Affliction, Joy, Poverty and Liberality 2 Corinthians 8:2

Paul the apostle and his companions wanted the church members in Corinth “to know the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia”,and in chapter eight and verse two of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members about the, “affliction, joy, poverty and liberality” of the churches in Macedonia where we read:

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy

and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

The verse begins, “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy ...” Paul began with the words, “How that” which means “since and because” “in a great trial” which means “in many and large amount of proofs, trusts and tests” “of affliction” or “pressings, tribulations, distresses and straits” “the abundance” which means “the superfluous, surplus and pre-eminence” “of their joy” which refers to “the church members in Macedonia's gladness and calm delight”. Paul recalled the “many tests and tribulations” as well as the “superfluous gladness” which the churches in Macedonia shared.

The verse goes on to say, “...and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” Paul added the words, “and their deep” which means “the church members in Macedonia's extreme, profundity and mysterious” “poverty” or “begging and indigence” “abounded” which means “to overflow, be in affluence, pre-eminent and exceeded” “unto the riches” or “toward the wealth, fullness, abundance and plenitude” “of their liberality” which means “singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty, not self-seeking and openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity”. Paul noted, though the churches in Macedonia were “extremely poor”, they were “generous and giving” to others who had need.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we might be amazed by these church members in Macedonia. Though they were physically poor, they were spiritually rich. They endured “afflictions”, and yet had “joy”. They were “poor”, and yet, they were “rich”. These people “gave” when they did not have to give, and that type of giving blesses God Almighty and His Son Jesus. Perhaps we may learn from the churches in Macedonia, and ask the Lord to provide a “joyful, giving heart” even in the midst of “afflictions” and “poverty”.

Next time Paul shares how the churches in Macedonia were, “beyond their power...willing of themselves”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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