SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:24
Mostrad pues, para con ellos en la faz de las Iglesias la prueba de vuestra caridad, y de nuestro gloriarnos acerca de vosotros.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:24
Verse 24. Wherefore show ye to them, and before the Churches, &c.] Seeing they are persons every way worthy in themselves, and coming to you on such an important occasion, and so highly recommended, receive them affectionately; and let them thus see that the very high character I have given of you is not exaggerated, and that you are as ready in every work of charity as I have stated you to be. Act in this for your honour. 1. THE whole of this chapter and the following is occupied in exciting the richer followers of Christ to be liberal to the poorer; the obligation of each to be so, the reasons on which that obligation is founded, the arguments to enforce the obligation from those reasons, are all clearly stated, and most dexterously and forcibly managed. These two chapters afford a perfect model for a Christian minister who is pleading the cause of the poor.
2. In the management of charities a man ought carefully to avoid the least suspicion of avarice, self-interest, and unfaithfulness. How few persons are entirely free from the upbraidings of their own consciences in the matter of alms! But who will be able to hear the upbraidings of Christ at the time of death and judgment? No man can waste without injustice, or neglect without sin, those things of which he is only the dispenser and steward.
3. God has not settled an equality among men by their birth to the end that this equality might be the work of his grace. He has put the temporal portion of the poor into the hands of the rich, and the spiritual portion of the rich into the hands of the poor, on purpose to keep up a good understanding betwixt the members of the same body by a mutual dependence on one another. He who withholds the part belonging to the poor steals more from himself than from them. Let every one answer this admirable design of God, and labour to re- establish equality: the poor, in praying much for the rich; and the rich, in giving much to the poor. See Quesnel.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 24. Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches , etc..] This is the conclusion of the apostle, upon summing up the characters of these messengers; and his exhortation is, that since they were persons of so much note and worth, as they ought to be received with great marks of respect and affection, so they would take care evidently to make it appear to them who were sent by the churches, and before the churches, or before them who represented the churches; or so as that it might be known by the churches from whence they came, when they returned with their report; or be evident to the churches in Judea, when their liberality should be brought to them: the proof of your love ; to Christ and his poor members, how hearty and sincere it was: and of our boasting on your behalf ; how willing and forward they were to this good work, and how liberal they would be.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16-24 - The apostle commends the brethren sent to collect their charity, tha it might be known who they were, and how safely they might be trusted It is the duty of all Christians to act prudently; to hinder, as far a we can, all unjust suspicions. It is needful, in the first place, to act uprightly in the sight of God, but things honest in the sight of men should also be attended to. A clear character, as well as a pur conscience, is requisite for usefulness. They brought glory to Chris as instruments, and had obtained honour from Christ to be counte faithful, and employed in his service. The good opinion others have of us, should be an argument with us to do well __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
την 3588 T-ASF ουν 3767 CONJ ενδειξιν 1732 N-ASF της 3588 T-GSF αγαπης 26 N-GSF υμων 5216 P-2GP και 2532 CONJ ημων 2257 P-1GP καυχησεως 2746 N-GSF υπερ 5228 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP εις 1519 PREP αυτους 846 P-APM ενδειξασθε 1731 5669 V-AMM-2P και 2532 CONJ εις 1519 PREP προσωπον 4383 N-ASN των 3588 T-GPF εκκλησιων 1577 N-GPF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:24 {The proof of your love} (ten endeixin tes agapes humwn). There is a word here for pastors and deacons who try to protect the churches from the denominational representatives of kingdom causes. {In the face of the churches} (eis proswpon twn ekklesiwn). A great host is pictured as watching how the Corinthians will treat these duly accredited agents in the collection (Titus and the other two brethren). It requires courage to stand by such representatives of great causes before stingy saints.
