Note 5 at 2 Cor. 8:2: Joy, poverty, and afflictions don't seem to mix in the minds of many Christians today. Most people are waiting to be delivered from poverty and afflictions and then they will have joy. That was not the attitude of these Macedonian believers. They not only had joy, they had an abundance of joy.

Joy is a choice. A person who loses his joy in adversity has simply made the wrong choice, by focusing on his problems instead of focusing on the Lord's provision (see notes 18-19 at 2 Cor. 4:17, p. 999 and the notes listed in ref. d at this verse).

Note 6 at 2 Cor. 8:2: The Macedonians had been going through much persecution and hard times (1 Th. 1:6; 2:14). Nevertheless, out of their need and poverty they overflowed in generosity and liberality.

The Greek noun used for "liberality" in this verse is "haplotes," and carries the idea of being open and determined not to seek riches for self, but rather to be generous and single in heart to meet the needs of others. It is translated 8 times in the New Testament in the following ways: "simplicity" 3 times, i.e. generously, with pure motives and sincerely (Rom. 12:8; 2 Cor. 1:12; 11:3); "liberality" 1 time, i.e. generosity (2 Cor. 8:2); "bountifulness" 1 time (2 Cor. 9:11); "liberal" distribution 1 time (2 Cor. 9:13); and "singleness" of heart 1 time (Eph. 6:5).

It is obvious the Macedonians had embedded into their hearts the instruction of our Lord Jesus when He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).