Why did the poor Greek believers have joy and happiness despite having nothing materially?
They had joy because they had been removed from paganism, with its superstition and fear, and had been set free by the Gospel. Their happiness did not depend on material wealth; even in deep poverty, they possessed an abundance of joy because the Gospel had liberated them.
Les explains that this joy is something America no longer understands—that there can be joy without material wealth. He compares it to the Depression generation, who had no money but were happy because they didn't know any better; similarly, these poor Greek believers had nothing materially, yet had all kinds of joy and happiness. They had been removed from paganism with all its superstition and fear, and had now been set free by the Gospel. Despite deep poverty, their joy abounded, and they gave liberally.
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
Can a person have joy without having any money or material wealth?
Yes, joy can exist without money or material wealth. The example of the Depression generation and the poor believers in Greece shows people can be poor, lacking money and material things, yet still be happy. Their joy came from being set free by the Gospel, not from possessions.
Why did the poor Macedonian believers have such great joy when they had nothing materially?
Their joy came from being delivered out of paganism with its superstition and fear and from being set free by the Gospel. Though they possessed nothing materially, that liberation gave them an abundance of joy, so their deep poverty did not destroy their happiness or generosity.
More Questions
What does 2 Corinthians 8:2 say about the Macedonian churches' joy and deep poverty?
In 2 Corinthians 8:2, Paul says the Macedonian churches in a great trial of affliction had an abundance of joy, and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.