2 Corinthians 8:2

Trial. Or, “test.” The word is used especially of testing the quality of metals. The Macedonian Christians suffered more than ordinary affliction, yet their faith and experience proved genuine. They suffered severely from persecution (Acts 17:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8; 2:14; 3:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-6). One of the great tests of a triumphant Christian experience is to know joy, peace, and love in the midst of affliction (Matthew 5:11, 12; Romans 5:3; 12:12; 1 Peter 2:20, 21).

Abundance of their joy. Persecution and poverty would both tend to repress the spirit and practice of liberality, but the abundance of their joy combined with the depth of their poverty is represented as inspiring generosity. Such was the spirit of the early church (Acts 4:32-37).

Deep poverty abounded. Figuratively speaking, the poverty of the Macedonians was such that they had to scrape the bottom of a barrel that was all but empty. Yet in spite of utter destitution they overflowed abundantly with help for others in need. The measure of Paul’s praise of the Macedonian Christians was not for the actual amount given, though it was doubtless considerable. It was the spirit that prompted the giving to which Paul pointed as worthy of emulation (see on Mark 12:41-44).

The abysmal poverty of Macedonia at this time was due to various factors. Three wars had desolated the area: the first, between Julius Caesar and Pompey, the second, between the triumvirs and Brutus and Cassius following Caesar’s assassination, and the third, between Octavian and Antony (see Vol. V, p. 28, 35, 37). So desperate was the condition of the Macedonians that they had petitioned the emperor Tiberius for a reduction of taxes. Furthermore, most of the early Christians came from the poorer classes of society.

Liberality. Greek haplotes, “singleness [of heart],” “sincerity,” “freedom from pretense” (2 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; etc.). Here it denotes that openness of mind and heart which manifested itself in great liberality. It refers, not so much to what they gave, but to the quality of heart that is the basis of all true giving and that results in spontaneous self-sacrifice for the welfare of others.