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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
See how constantly he humors them, how he avoids offensiveness, and is not violent nor compulsory; or rather what he says hath both these, with the inoffensiveness of that which is uncompelled. For after he had repeatedly exhorted them and had greatly commended the Macedonians, in order that this might not seem to constitute a necessity, he says, "I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others, the sincerity also of your love." 'Not as doubting it,' (for that is not what he would here imply,) 'but …
Theophylact of Ohrid
That is, not compelling you and not doing you violence. That is, I praise the Macedonians for the purpose of showing your love for the poor saints, through their zeal, as more praiseworthy and more illustrious.
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
But because there might be a suspicion that he was ordering them to give alms, contrary to what is stated in Ezek. (34:4): "With force and harshness you have ruled them," he removes this, saying: "I say this not as a command," i.e., what I asked Titus, or the fact that I say this to you, I did not do as though commanding: "Not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock" (1 Pet. 5:3). …
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