Bible Commentaries

d. By need of their promptly sustaining his boasts in their behalf to the Macedonians, 2 Corinthians 9:1-5.

1. For—Alludes to our boasting in last verse, and thereby closely connects the language.

Ministering—The contributions to the saints at Jerusalem.

Superfluous—And so he writes here not so much about the ministering itself, as about finishing it promptly, in order to verify his boasts in their behalf if any Macedonians should visit Corinth soon, as, indeed, they might in company with himself when he should come to Corinth.

2. Achaia—The Grecian province of which Corinth was the capital, sometimes including all Southern Greece.

A year ago—See note, 2 Corinthians 7:10.

Provoked very many—The apostle arouses each by the example of the other. Poor Macedonia was wealthy in her heart of benevolence, 2 Corinthians 8:1-4; and richer Achaia was inspiring her with her early leadership.

3. The brethren—The three brethren, Titus, Luke, and Erastus. Grotius quotes from Maimonides the statement that the Jews were accustomed to place three commissioners over any movement of contribution.

4. Haply—Perhaps. We…

ye—A happy stroke of delicacy!

5. Before… beforehand… before—Paul is intensely earnest that the Corinthian preparation shall be ahead of the Macedonian inspection. The first before means antecedent to St. Paul’s visit to Corinth.

Bounty— Greek, blessing; as being in the spirit of blessing by the donor, and with the effect of blessing on the receiver. Hence the word is well rendered benefaction, or bounty.

Covetousness—Or rather, overreaching; that is, as though overreached or cheated into giving. For Paul would have their heart to so correspond with the bestowment as that it may be blessed in the deed.

e. By promise of corresponding reward, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.

6. Soweth—Our benefactions are as seeds planted in the bosom of God’s providence, and the produce is measured by the planting.

Sparingly—A gentle word to designate the covetousness that cheats the needy, hut more terribly cheats, in the end, the covetous churl himself.

Bountifully—Richly expressed by Paul, he that soweth upon (the principle of) blessings shall reap upon blessings.

7. His heart—The gift from the churlish hand may benefit the receiver, but reacts not in blessing on the giver.

Grudgingly—Literally, not from grief, as if half crying over the loss of the money given.

Necessity—From the wringing out by some urgent pleader, or under compulsion of some unavoidable obligation.

Cheerful—Whose face is bright and heart is warm as he rejoices in the good that may be done even though at his own expense.

8. God is able—To him who dreads that giving will impoverish him, Paul speaks a word of faith in God.

All grace—All blessing, temporal and spiritual. His grace can make the bountiful giver as rich as Dives without his Hades; or if he is left as poor as Lazarus, can compensate him with Paradise.

Sufficiency—Ability for giving.

9. Written—<19B209>Psalms 112:9; quoted as applicable to the case. He— Jehovah.

Dispersed—Scattered blessings.

Righteousness—Divine rectitude as shown in beneficence.

Remaineth for ever—Is permanent and unchanging through all ages.

10. Now may he—Words of prayer for his liberal-hearted Corinthians.

Your seed sown—Your liberalities bestowed.

Righteousness—Your piety in the form of benevolence.

11. Enriched—In both heart and means.

To all bountifulness—To a full abundance of charitable givings.

Causeth… thanksgiving—The benefaction not only benefits man, but raises a rich thanksgiving to God.

f. By the gratitude of the benefitted parties, 2 Corinthians 9:12-15.

12. Administration of this service—The bestowment of this public benefaction.

Not only—Literally, Not only is filling up the deficiencies of the saints, but is causing to abound thanksgiving, through many, to God.

13. By the experiment of this ministration—By the proof or experience of this your benefaction.

For your professed subjection unto the gospel—Literally, for the subjection of your acknowledgment to the gospel. By this public gift to the saints of Christ there was a public subjection and submission of their acknowledgment, assent, or profession, to the authority of the gospel. The gift was a profession of a faith in subjection to the gospel.

Them—The saints at Jerusalem.

Unto all—To the needy generally. Men is not in the Greek.

14. And (they glorify God, continued from last verse) by their prayer for you—Made with a longing for (the sight of) you.

For—On account of the grace of God superabounding upon you; as shown by this your superabounding beneficence.

15. Thanks—St. Paul, like a master chorister, gives the first keynote to the anthem of thanksgiving to God which he has, with such a glow, been describing.

Gift—The gift of that spirit of Christian charity that thus pours from one Church upon another. The two Churches were far apart, and different in race and language, but they were one in their unspeakable gift of Christian love.