Explore the teaching of Paul in 2 Corinthians 8-9

Essay by TrudymakepeaceUniversity, Bachelor'sA+, November 2014

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Student Number: 9048 Study Skills Research Paper

Explore Pauls Teaching in 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15

Introduction

This paper will begin by expounding on the background of the Second letter to the Corinthians in Chapter 8-9, in which Paul seeks to bring about the completion of the collection for the Saints in Jerusalem. It will then aim to explore Paul's teaching on giving generously from the grace they have received in Christ, willingly and within their means.

Background and Purpose

The purpose of Paul's writing to the gentile church at Corinth is to follow up the matter of benevolent collection to aid the saints in Jerusalem who were suffering hardship. This was due to outbreaks of famine during the reign of Emperor Claudius (AD 41-54). Paul determined to help the Church in Jerusalem following his meeting with the Jewish Council (Gal 2:10), in which his ministry to the Gentiles was endorsed with a request to remember the poor.

Paul considered the collection to be an important aspect in developing unity and relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles which would ultimately strengthen his mission to the Gentiles . [1: C. G. Krauss, 2 Corinthians (Nottingham: IVP, 1987), 145. ][2: P. Barnett, The Message of 2 Corinthians (Leicester: IVP, 1988), 139.][3: Barnett, The Message of 2 Corinthians, 139.]

Encouragement to Excel in Generous Giving

Paul urges the Corinthians to abound in the grace of giving and strategically employs the method of comparison to the Macedonian churches (Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea); He cites their sacrificial giving to motivate them to follow through on their initial pledge to contribute to the collection. He explains that the Macedonians "Whilst in a time of great affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part" (2 Cor...