Why did the poor Greek Christians have so much joy?
The poor Greek Christians had joy because they had been removed from paganism, with its superstition and fear, and had been set free by the Gospel. Their joy did not depend on material wealth; even in deep poverty and great affliction, they gave liberally.
Les explains that these believers in Greece were materially poor, possessing nothing, yet they had abundant joy and happiness. Their joy came because the Gospel had removed them from paganism, with all of its superstition and fear, and had set them free. He contrasts this with America, which no longer understands joy without material wealth, and with the Depression generation, who were poor but happy. In their great trial of affliction, their deep poverty still abounded unto the riches of liberality; no matter how poor they were, 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.
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.