fulfilled in such a way that there are. The Macedonian Orthodox Church - Archdiocese of Ohrid ( MOC-AO; Macedonian: - ), or simply the Macedonian Orthodox Church ( MOC) or the Archdiocese of Ohrid ( AO ), is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church in North Macedonia. When he departs after his first visit, he leaves Silas and Timotheus behind5, and possibly after joining him at Athens they were despatched thither again*. iv. In 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 and 9:1-5, Paul shows that the Church at Corinth had been previously gathering a gift to help the poor believers in Jerusalem. Phillip J. Paul commanded the Corinthians to give according to
'The Holy Spirit forbids him' to do so. i. The impact of your generosity will certainly become the lifeline other people need. ix. Why Does Paul Boast In His Suffering? and Nida, page 687. They exemplified the teaching of 2 Corinthians 9:7 - that giving is to be done " not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver ." This famine relief visit indicates the Jewish Christian churches in the Diaspora were not living in common as Jerusalem was, but they also felt a responsibility to support the Jerusalem believers financially. Louw
Do you have a vision for your Church, but not the finances to fulfil it? All the incidents of this epoch seem to assume vaster proportions, to be cast on a grander scale. If he had not realised his project, he had prepared the way for its realisation in a far higher sense than he himself could have imagined. The grace of God had been given to them.? prosperity of the godly majority at the Thessalonian
Proverbs 3:27 says Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. There is not excuse for not helping those in need; it doesnt have to be financially; it can be through service or even just words of encouragement. Perschbacher, page 65. It is God who enables us to give - National Christian Foundation '2 Thess. Paul spoke in similar ways about the potential
During the imprisonment at Rome, this intercourse is of the most intimate character. 10), probably home. While Macedonia was under Ottoman administration, the Orthodox church there was part of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. out, so that we do not need to say anything.. p. 330 A 'ek Tov MaKeSoviKOv xal fient K.t.\. economically prospering the Corinthian believers far
They did give with pushing and prying, but did they really give it cheerfully and did they give what was put on their heart or just enough thats my question? 1 Acts xvi. 8, Vol. From Philippi comes Epaphroditus, whose sickness at Rome aroused such a tender interest in the Church of which he formed a member". sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but
complexion of the incident will be. Macedonians conquered lands, established large cities and kingdoms, and had influence that spanned the near east and even into Greece. 2 Corinthians 8:2. S. i. p. 112). sidered to justify the expression, the Gospel may well have been spread southward through the labours of his companions Silas, Timotheus and Luke between his first and second visits to Macedonia. Macedonianism, also called Pneumatomachian heresy, a 4th-century Christian heresy that denied the full personhood and divinity of the Holy Spirit. ii. regularly practicing the sins which 2 Corinthians
Paul initiated the Collection as a part of his mission to the Gentiles (1 Cor 16:1-4). Judea. countrymen, just as they did from the Jews., can be
In 2
And yet there, tioned next to Aristarchus the Thes- must have been sufficient wealth both. page 134. On top of this, the believers in Macedonia were more than happy to aid in the collection and gave a significant chunk of money even though they were not a very well-off group of people, unlike the Corinthian believers (Long, 106). Each successive station at which he halted might have reminded the Apostle of the great services rendered by Macedonia as the pioneer of the Gospel. Everything that we have been given has been given to us by God, and because he has given it to us, we should be wanting to give it back to him. He will supply! A man of Macedonia stands before him and entreats him: 'Come over and help us.' They did it in service to the Lord.
He next turns his steps towards Bithynia situated on his right, doubtless with the same purpose. The real significance of his journey lay in this, that it brought him in contact with new interests, new associations and ideas, or at least into closer contact with them than hitherto. I appreciate the accountability that this creates, but as Christians, should there exist some form of flexibility when it comes to helping the poor? When Paul brought up this collection to the Corinthians, he wasnt just merely asking, he was strongly encouraging that they participate, especially being that they were not overly struggling for funds. For Paul, the collection was a demonstration of the gospel he preached in which Christians would follow the example of the self-giving God and imitate him with their lives (TTP p.159). First, they gave even when they were in a condition that the Bible calls a great trial of affliction (8:2). page 134. 6-10 AtfXWrrCT Si ri/v slightly, but not materially, altered. Many or all of the
QUALITY NUMBER ONE: THEY GAVE IN SPITE OF CIRCUMSTANCES. A new Macedonian call: the birthplace of European Christianity needs Macedonians Restore an Ancient Church, With an Eye on the Future page 130. Honor and Shame were powerful motivations in the Greco-Roman world, and Paul has resorted to shaming the Corinthians several times in 1-2 Corinthians. ( 2 Corinthians 8:1-2) Paul's heart was hurting because the Corinthian Christians closed off their affection for him. For example, many big churches in the US support organizations in third-world countries. Cicero says of Piso, escaping from Thessalonica, where he was pestered with complaints, that he 1 took refuge' in Beroea, 'in oppidum devium Beroeam profugisti' (in PUon. 8:7, Paul may have been speaking in faith about
2 Corinthians 9:7 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Is a verse that is said before offering is taken in the church I go to. In Judaism the poor received alms from individuals, but money was not collected by any organization to be re-distributed to the poor. Vine,
The Philippian Church was one of the
Textual criticism requires the suppression of the article before the word ovvaybr/1i. i. 11 where he is coupled with Mark and Jesus oalled Justus, as being 'of the circumcision.' What an example! 29, xx. c. 36). Whereas apostles in the ancient day did not want to burdened the new found church community, so they supported themselves through things like tent making and fishing. 4 Acts xvii. II Corinthians 8:1-2 - " Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.". their sins: The more godly very generous
8 If we are tempted to ask why St Paul chose Philippi and Beroea rather than Amphipolis or Pella for the scene of his preaching, the true answer may be somewhat of this kind. At Beroea also was a synagogue7, and the conduct of the Jews there is highly commended by the historian of the Acts8. In 2
Mac. These men are representative, and are taken from the three Churches of Macedonia. This famine relief visit is the subject of Gal 2:1-10. Long has taught full time at Grace Christian University since 1998, specializing in Bible and Biblical languages. i. We should never see giving as some sort of competition with others, and giving more or less than others proves nothing about how acceptable our giving is to God. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. He has Masters degrees in Biblical Exposition and Old Testament from Talbot School of Theology (BIOLA) and a PhD in New Testament from Andrews University. 1. Philippi as a collective unit was supporting him. Galatians: Freedom through Gods Grace (Wipf & Stock, 2019). Rather than promoting selfless giving, Paul was promoting self-promotion.We can agree that giving is important, but I think that the motives behind giving that Paul was instilling on the Corinthians may have been wrong. Their relationship was rocky and the Corinthians had become skeptical of what Paul asked of them, (Longenecker & Todd, 2014, p. 157). What does 2 Corinthians 8:2 mean? | BibleRef.com Consider what Paul specifically says about the Macedonian Church. Money can beand has beenraised solely to support other churches. This blog post is interesting to the fact that it sheds light on the emotion of Paul to Corinth.
In fact, its beginnings go back to the fourth century BCE when it was occupied by the Thracians. A man from Macedonia was imploring him, "Come to Macedonia and help us." It seemed that those who had less were more willing to give because they connected with the cause, and those who had more were unable to empathize with the cause so they needed to connect with the messenger. The ancient kingdom of Macedonia (sometimes called Macedon) was a crossroads between Mediterranean and . Their action also reminds us that in the specific matter of giving, a child of God can continue to give to the Lord even when he/she is facing trials. Introduction, Background, and Outline to Philippians | Bible.org Paul didnt pressure these people into giving their money rather he gave an example of how donating to the poor is taking care of Gods people. This is not to be mistaken as to rarely give offerings, for they should be given often as well. But according to 2 Corinthians 8, the church at Corinth was slow to participate in this collection. Jesus honoured the widows offering of her last mite more than what the rich put in the temple treasury (Luke 21:1-4). XXa. An opportunity offered, and he availed himself of it. Based on stereotypes, one might be tempted to think of the South, because of its hospitality culture; or the West Coast with its activist streak; or perhaps the Northeast because of "old money." ii. Corinthian believers later accepted a false gospel, a
(PDF) The Poverty and Wealth of The Macedonians - ResearchGate Besides this, Pella was on the deoline; see Dion Chrysost. The narrative of the Epistle to the Philippians implies four journeys between Philippi and the place of St Paul's captivity, before the writing of the letter1, and mention is made of the Apostle's intention of despatching Timotheus thither shortly8. Besides, even if Philippi was not the chief town of the district, it was a place of great importance, and would command the Eastern districts better than Amphipolis. ), vvv el ris RUpxoito n^XXar, o6&i atipxtov 6^erai Ttoxtus o66ev Mx& foO Tto\vv K4pa/iov elvtzi avvrerpifif>Uvov 4v rip riiry. 21, xx. All rights reserved. They exemplified the teaching of 2 Corinthians 9:7 that giving is to be done not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. They did not have much money, but they were willing to part with a huge portion of what they had in order to help the Lords Cause and His people. var a='
Paul was raising money to help the Christians in Jerusalem, who were very poor. The world has changed today, similarly to how honor and shame are not as valued a virtue. 2, 3, 4; 2 Thess. Another Thessalonian, Secundus9, is mentioned with Aristarchus as accompanying the Apostle during his voyage to the Capital. reveals, Paul first preached the Gospel at Philippi
The Grace of Giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-12) - DashHouse.com This irregular tax would not have even been that big of a deal as it would have been more like a millage rather than a huge expense (Long, 105). MACEDONIAN GIVING. other Macedonian churches gave. This was partly due to their position on the high road between Asia on the one hand and Greece and Rome on the other, partly to other causes. (3) For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, (4) imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 4, xxvii. they had not actually given as yet to the needy in
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Churches today dont pressure or shame others into tithing into the ministry, though it is highly encouraged if one wants to see growth spiritually in the church it isnt forced upon. 5. iv. for us. But note, however, in 2
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hey gave themselves first of all to the Lord, Dealing with the common fear of fundraising. NASB that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of . Second, it was rejected and Paul used it to support himself in Caesarea for two years while under house arrest. 10; Philemon 24. 17 and resumed * 1 Tim. This church was experiencing extreme poverty, trials, and persecution, they were literally one of the poorest, and yet, they still chose to be richly generous towards their needy brothers in Jerusalem. page 130. It is the more surprising therefore that they should resemble each other so strongly in tone. can be
Enduring Word Bible Commentary 2 Corinthians Chapter 8 Thanks to the team of Wealth With Purpose! Some more speculation, perhaps the Corinthian church (if it did truly contain some number of wealthy and powerful citizens) was less willing to give because they were still turning from their greedy ways. But these are not the only companions delegated to watch over the infant Churches of Macedonia. In Komans xv. When Paul spoke of the collection in 1 Cor 16:1, he used a word () associated with an irregular tax or contribution of money for some charitable or sacred purpose (MM, BDAG). With shame and status being so important to their culture, it was an effective way to get the Corinthians to give. This is God-inspired giving, no doubt, pure generosity from the heart. Ibid,
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