2nd Corinthians Chapter 9
From The Open Bible Project
9:1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
- (1) He wisely answers the suspicion which the Corinthians might conceive, as though the apostle in urging them so carefully was doubting of their good will. Therefore he witnesses that he does it not to teach them that they ought to help the saints, seeing that he had become surety for them to the Macedonians. But only to stir those up who were labouring by themselves, to the end that all things might both be in a better readiness, and also be more plentiful.
9:2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
9:3 But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
9:4 so that I won't by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.
- (a) The word which he uses signifies a mind so steady and established that it cannot be moved by any terror or fear.
9:5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
- (b) As from covetous men.
9:6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
- (2) Alms must be given neither grudgingly, nor with a loathful mind, or sparingly. And a generous and free alms is compared to a sowing which has a most plentiful harvest of most abundant blessing following it.
9:7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
- (c) Determines and appoints freely with himself.
- (d) With a sparing and grudging heart.
- (e) Against his will, not wanting to have evil spoken of him.
9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
- (f) All the bountiful liberality of God.
- (g) To help others by all means possible, in doing them good in their needs.
9:9 As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever."[9]
- (h) Is everlasting: now David speaks of a man that fears God, and loves his neighbour, who will always be able (he says) to give to others.
9:10 Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;
- (i) There is no inheritance as good to the godly as bountifulness is.
9:11 you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.
9:12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;
- (3) Another excellent and double fruit of liberality towards the saints is this, that it gives occasion to praise God, and that our faith also is by it made manifest.
9:13 seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;
- (k) By this proof of your liberality in this helping of them.
- (l) In showing with one consent that you acknowledge that Gospel alone which you have willingly submitted yourselves to, declaring by this that you agree with the church of Jerusalem.
9:14 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
9:15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
- (m) Lest by this great commendation and praise the Corinthians should be puffed up, he concludes this exhortation with this exclamation.
