The culture of Corinth was heavily influenced by the business language of compromise. Although the pagan temples had their devotees, there was a reasonable tolerance as long as new religious ideas did not displace it's influence (the shrines were also centres of lucrative business – Acts 19:23-27).
Although the church in Corinth was immature and foolishly sinful at times – Paul loved them. He was an apostle, evangelist and teacher, but he had a pastor's heart. He did not just found the church (Acts 18:1-4), visit them and send them letters to teach them how to follow Jesus: he loved them deeply. He was willing to stand with them even if persecution got so bad that their lives were threatened.
Everybody needs encouragement, even the Apostle Paul. He loved the church in Corinth, and was anxious for them - having received no news for some time. Like a parent, he longed to hear that they were doing well. It was not a personality weakness, or sinful faithlessness, but the product of love. These verses follow on from 2 Corinthians 2:12-13 ...
Nobody likes to be rebuked, but if we do not realise how offensive our sin is, we need it (Proverbs 3:11-12). Paul deeply loved the believers in Corinth and yet their tolerance of immorality not only offended God but gave licence to other believers to think it did not matter (Revelation 2:20).
Paul firmly rebuked the Corinthian church for tolerating sin (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). It was hard for him to write so sternly to people he dearly loved, but they responded by admitting their sin, repenting and coming back to the Lord. The church became stronger. Yes, Paul's letter caused distress but resulted in forgiveness and restoration of fellowship with the Lord and each other. But it did more than that.
Titus had come back to Paul with good news. The church in Corinth was still true to the gospel, and still honoured the authority which Jesus had given to Paul as His apostle (Acts 26:16-18). The false teachers were still around but the majority of the church were firm in their faith, although they still had much to learn and still needed to put into practice what they already knew.
The Early Church understood that giving was an essential part of authentically following Jesus. Giving to the poor was a part of the Old Testament law (Deuteronomy 15:7-11), and instruction from God who is compassionate. It was part of Jesus' teaching (Luke 12:32-34), and the apostles' teaching (Galatians 2:9-10).
How does giving start? For some it is a guilt-ridden response to an appeal or repeated appeals. For others, it is a way to look good to other people (Mark 12:41-44). But if giving does not start with love, it is eternally meaningless (1 Corinthians 13:3).
Giving is not natural to sinful human beings except where we have a personal interest, or to the people we love. By definition, sinfulness places self in the centre and keeps the best for ourselves. That is why we must be taught to share and give. The church in Corinth was no exception.
Although Paul wanted to encourage the Corinthians to contribute generously towards the gift for the Jerusalem church (2 Corinthians 8:6), he could not command them to give. Giving is an act of freewill (2 Corinthians 9:7), motivated by love (Galatians 2:20). Without freewill or love – the gifts are meaningless.
