“Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”
Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people — the Macedonians do not need coercion; they *entreat* (*parakalého*) Paul to *permit* (*dexásthō*) them to participate in the collection. The word *diakonia*, service, connects material aid to the apostolic ministry of the gospel itself. Giving is privilege (*charis* again), not burden.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 8:4
“With much intreaty.” Lo! Yet a third and a fourth. “Praying us.” Lo! even a fifth. And when they were in affliction and in poverty. Here are a sixth and seventh. And they gave with excessiveness. Then since this is what he most of all wishes to provide for in the Corinthians' case, namely, the giving deliberately, he dwells especially upon it, saying, “with much intreaty,” and “praying us.” 'We prayed not them, but they us.' Pray us what? “That the grace and the fellowship…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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