2 Corinthians 8:7 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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2 Corinthians 8:7

Comments

Faith is the basis of the Christian life. We live by faith; it is the gift of God given at conversion. The word translated faith is literally conviction or persuaded, and the Holy Spirit illuminates the heart when we are coming to Christ. He gives us a deep persuasion or conviction that these things are real and that they are true. From that moment we know almost instinctually that the gospel is true. Is then our faith just a feeling, a sensation? No, because it also grounds itself in reason. With our minds, it becomes obvious that these things are true.‘And utterance.’ Some people have a kind of one track mind and think that this must refer to speaking in tongues, but it does not refer to that. Utterance here simply means a testimony. It is a gift of God. You can convincingly speak of your Lord and you desire to do so and you have a special capacity to do so. It is the gift of God, given at conversion.‘And knowledge.’ Knowledge and understanding of the doctrine of the word, and understanding of the promises of God, and understanding of the plans of God as revealed in his word. And with this knowledge goes discernment, so that you can look at the world around you and understand why things are as they are, why people behave as they do. When somebody comes to you with some false distortion of the truth, you see through it.‘And in all diligence.’ That is a very interesting grace or gift. It is sometimes translated earnestness. The Greek word means speed literally, the gift of speed or haste. Let us put it this way: it means more forwardness, readiness to act. In anything you do for the Lord because you are converted, there is a readiness to do it. The work of holiness, being conscientious in examining the heart, repenting of sin, striving to do better, rejecting temptation. We do not drag our feet if this gift is exercised.And Paul says, ‘In your love to us,’ which I understand not as Paul just desiring personal love, but love for the mission among the Gentiles, the work of the gospel, the work of the apostles and those who labour with them. In addition to those other five, ‘see that ye abound [super-abound] in this grace also,’ by which Paul refers to the grace of giving, the grace of stewardship, which he has been urging upon them in the previous verses.

Application

Faith makes evident to us what we could not see before. For instance, the biblical doctrine of the fall of man, and we look around and we see it everywhere. Yes, man is imperfect, a long way, and he is fallen. Although he is not one hundred percent evil, there is sin in every department of his life, and it contaminates and spoils everything, and it is there, and it is constantly trying to express itself. The doctrine of the fall, to somebody who has been illuminated by the Spirit of God and received the gift of faith or conviction or persuasion, is obvious.

Following conversion we see faith in our own hearts. We are fallen creatures, we are wrestling against sin. So it is not as though God gives us something which overrides our reason. Once we receive the gospel, reason can now function in an orderly manner, and we see that it is absolutely true. And it is so with everything in the word of God. Before we were converted, we wondered – can this be true? But once God moves in converting power, we know it is true.

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2 Corinthians 8:7 Commentary and Bible Study

Explain meaning of 2 Corinthians 8:7