2 Corinthians
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2 Corinthians 9
2 Corinthians 9
1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them.
1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
Commentary · verses 1-2
3But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared:
3Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
Commentary · verse 3
Paul explained why he sent other brethren (Titus being one). He assured them it was not because they needed help in HOW they treated each other. Paul sent brethren there so they "may be prepared."
4lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence.
4Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
Commentary · verse 4
Paul wanted to help the Corinthians be as prepared as possible for when he came to them with people from Macedonia. Paul and the brethren had been "glorying" on their behalf and did not want their kind words to the Macedonians about the Corinthians to be made void because the Corinthians were not prepared for their visit.
5I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.
6But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Commentary · verses 5-6
Paul sent brethren ahead of time to help the Corinthians give in order to achieve gain rather than wait for Paul to exhort them to give in order to avoid loss.
Causality: Sowing bountifully will reap bountifully, sowing sparingly will reap sparingly. You reap what you sow, Justice will be equaled out.
7Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Commentary · verse 7
There was no amount named regarding what to give. We give according to what we purpose in our hearts. We ought to give cheerfully, not grudgingly (sorrow, pain, grief, annoyance, affliction) or of necessity (as a law). Paul taught that giving not only involved an action but also an attitude (cheer). Giving cheerfully would be an effect of understanding Justice. When we realize what we give to God's Kingdom is an investment and that we will receive Reward from that, giving will be cheerful.
8And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:
8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Commentary · verse 8
God is able to make all grace abound to us so that we being sufficient in all things may abound to every good work. God's grace makes us profitable.
9as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever.
9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Commentary · verse 9
Paul referenced Psalm 112:9.
10And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: 11ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.
12For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God;
10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
Commentary · verses 10-12
Paul told them their giving would bring thanksgiving to God, because the funds Paul received were going towards the work of God.
13seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all; 14while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
Commentary · verses 13-14
God's grace is in believers via the Holy Spirit being in believers.
15Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
15Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Commentary · verse 15
Theme of chapter 9: Paul focused on the giving of physical resources. Paul showed that giving not only involved an action but also an attitude (cheer). Paul showed that God responded to our giving through Justice.
Paul knew he did not have to teach the Corinthians about ministering to other believers. They had been doing this.