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2Co_8:14 f. In order that (divine purpose), if the circumstances change, the converse case may also set in, and the superfluity of those be imparted to your lack. On account of 2Co_8:13 we must, in accordance with the context, think also here of something earthly, not (as Jerome, Chrysostom, Theodoret, Theophylact, Anselm, the Catholics,[278] Bengel, Michaelis, Schrader wish) of spiritual blessings—which would be unhistorical, and quite opposed to the standpoint of the apostle to the Gentiles. According to Paul, the participation of the Gentiles in the spiritual blessings of the Jewish Christians had already taken place through the conversion of the former, Rom_15:27.
ὅπως γένηται ἰσότης ] in order that (according to the divine purpose) equality might set in, since, namely, then they will not have too much and you too little, if their superfluity shall come to the help of your lack. According to Hofmann, ἰσότης amounts here to the idea of the inversion of the relation, which, however, does not agree with 2Co_8:15, and has against it the clear reference of the meaning of ἐξ ἰσότ . in 2Co_8:13. The idea of brotherly equalization, which Paul had expressed by ἐξ ἰσότ . as regulative for the present case in 2Co_8:13, he repeats also for the eventual future case in 2Co_8:14 : it is to him of so much importance. And so important was it to the primitive church generally, that it even produced at first in Jerusalem the community of good.
ΚΑΘῺς ΓΈΓΡΑΠΤΑΙ ] A confirmation from Scripture of this idea, which is to realize itself in the two cases, 2Co_8:13 and 2Co_8:14. It is already typically presented in the gathering of the manna, Exo_16:18 (freely quoted after the LXX.). The quotation refers therefore not simply to 2Co_8:14, but to 2Co_8:13-14, since in both there prevails the same fundamental though.
Ὁ ΤῸ ΠΟΛΎ ] he who much, namely, had gathered, as in Ex. l.c., we must supply from the context (2Co_8:17). Paul presupposes that his readers are aware of the reference and of the connection of the passag.
οὐκ ἐπλεόνασε ] had not too much, not more than was appointed by God for his needs; τὸ γὰρ μέτρον ὁ μεγαλόδωρος τῷ δώρῳ συνέζευξε , Theodoret. See Exo_16:16 f. In the same way: ΟὐΚ ἨΛΑΤΤΌΝΗΣΕ , he had not too little. The word, frequent in the LXX., is foreign to Greek writers.
The articles denote the two definite and well-known cases which occurred in the gathering.
[278] These misused the passage against Protestants in this way: “Locus hic apostoli contra nostrae aetatis haereticos ostendit, posse Christianos minus sanctos meritis sanctorum adjuvari etiam in futuro saeculo,” Estius. See, on the contrary, Calovius. Bisping also thinks of prayers, merits of good works, and the like, which love may give for temporal gifts received.