8, 9. (a) How did Christians in the first century show that they appreciated clearly the importance of serving the physical needs of their brothers? (b) How did the apostle Paul show his concern that this “service” be performed in a proper way?

⁸ True disciples of Jesus during the first century C.E. proved themselves “sheeplike” in attitude and action. When Christians in Macedonia and Achaia heard that their brothers in Judea were in need, they gathered relief supplies and sent these to them, performing a “relief ministration [di·a·ko·niʹa].” (Acts 11:29; 12:25, NW) For they recognized that the Judean brothers had rendered them precious spiritual service and that they had a corresponding ‘debt’ that made it fitting for them to “do them a service in material ways” (An American Translation); to “minister publicly to these with things for the fleshly body” (NW). (Rom. 15:25-27) This was especially commendable on the part of the Macedonian congregations. Though themselves in a state of poverty, they proved to be “lavishly open-handed.” As Paul says: “Going to the limit of their resources, as I can testify, and even beyond that limit, they begged us most insistently, and on their own initiative, to be allowed to share in this generous service [di·a·ko·niʹa; ministry, NW] to their fellow-Christians.” (2 Cor. 8:2-4, NE) What a powerful example of unselfish service for us today!

⁹ The apostle Paul was very concerned that this relief measure should be conducted in a fine manner, so that there would be no “criticism of our handling [di·a·ko·neʹo; administering, JB] of this generous gift,” whether from those on the giving end or those on the receiving end of the project. For that reason, others, “delegates of our congregations,” were ‘duly appointed to travel’ with Paul and Titus (whom Paul called “my partner and my associate”).​—2 Cor. 8:19-23, NE.

10. What fine results come from this unselfish serving of others’ needs, as shown by 2 Corinthians 9:1, 11-14?

¹⁰ Paul himself later experienced refreshing help from men like Onesiphorus and Onesimus as they ‘served’ and ‘looked after’ (di·a·ko·neʹo) him in times of trial. (2 Tim. 1:16-18; Philem. 10-13, NE) When writing to the Corinthians, he showed them what fine results all such kind, unselfish serving brings to God’s praise and the advancement of the good news. Of the “provision of aid” (di·a·ko·niʹa; “service,” Int; “ministry,” NW) for the Judean brothers, he said: “Through our action such generosity will issue in thanksgiving to God, for as a piece of willing service this is not only a contribution towards the needs of God’s people; more than that, it overflows in a flood of thanksgiving to God. For through the proof which this affords, many will give honour to God when they see how humbly you obey him and how faithfully you confess the gospel of Christ; and will thank him for your liberal contribution to their need and to the general good. And as they join in prayer on your behalf, their hearts will go out to you because of the richness of the grace which God has imparted to you.”​—2 Cor. 9:1, 11-14, NE.

¹⁵ The relative importance of serving others’ physical needs as compared with serving their spiritual needs is made clear by the account at Acts 6:1-4 (NE). A problem developed after Pentecost of 33 C.E. because a measure of partiality was causing some widows to be “overlooked in the daily distribution [di·a·ko·niʹa; daily serving of food, New American Standard Bible].” The apostles, when informed, “called the whole body of disciples together and said, ‘It would be a grave mistake for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait at table [di·a·ko·neʹo; to keep accounts, AT].” So they called on the brothers to search out seven men “of good reputation from your number,” so that the apostles, with appointive power, could “appoint them to deal with these matters, while we devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry [di·a·ko·niʹa; the service, Int; delivering, AT] of the Word.”