Note 1 at 2 Cor. 8:1: In chapters 8-9 of this letter, Paul turns his attention to the subject of giving. For several years Paul had devoted himself to a collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:10; see note 5 at Rom. 15:26, p. 847). The Corinthians, upon hearing about the collection, were eager to help but never came through. Paul had requested that Titus look into this matter and encourage the Corinthians to do what was originally in their hearts (2 Cor. 8:6). Chapters 8-9 is the encouragement from Paul's own hand about this matter.

Together, these two chapters provide us with some of the most detailed information in scripture on the proper motives for receiving and giving offerings. Through the encouragement of Paul and Titus, along with some unnamed fellow-workers (v. 23), the collection from Corinth was manifest and given towards helping the poor saints in Jerusalem (Acts 24:17).

Note 2 at 2 Cor. 8:1: The old archaic phrase "we do you to wit" is an expression that carries the idea of "making known something to you." It is translated in the American Standard in the following way: "Moreover, brethren, WE MAKE KNOWN TO YOU the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia."

Paul wanted to make known the example of giving that was expressed by the churches of Macedonia. In this way Paul was hoping to encourage the Corinthians to help relieve the impoverished condition of the saints in Jerusalem, just as the Macedonians had done.

Note 3 at 2 Cor. 8:1: The Macedonians' generosity in giving was a result of the grace of God. God's grace is unearned and therefore extremely generous. Anyone who truly understands and experiences the grace of God's love will himself be generous. "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 Jn. 3:17).

Note 4 at 2 Cor. 8:1: "All the districts of Greece north of the Isthmus of Corinth since 146 B.C. had constituted the Roman province of Macedonia; and the churches, to which the apostle refers, would seem to be those of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea" (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries [TNTC], p.111).

Macedonia (see note 1 at Acts 16:9, p. 667) was mentioned by name 26 times in 23 verses of the New Testament (Acts 16:9, 10, 12; 18:5; 19:21, 22, 29; 20:1, 3; Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:5; 2 Cor. 1:16; 2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2, 4; 11:9; Phil. 4:15; 1 Th. 1:7, 8; 4:10; 1 Tim. 1:3).