2 Corinthians 9:2

For 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. READY A YEAR AGO - to send off the money, owing to the apostle's exhortation (1 Corinthians 16:1). YOUR ZEAL. So 'Aleph (') B C. But Delta G f g, Vulgate, 'the zeal on your part,' propagated from you [ ex (G1537) humoon (G5216)] to others. PROVOKED - i:e., stimulated. VERY MANY, [ tous (G3588) pleionas (G4119...

2._For which I have boasted. _He shows the good opinion that he had of them from this, that he had, in a manner, stood forward as their surety by asserting their readiness. But what if he rashly asserted more than the case warranted? For there is some appearance of this, inasmuch as he boasted, that they had been _ready a year before _with it, while he is still urging them to have it in readiness. I answer, that his words are not to be understood as though Paul had declared, that what they were to give was already laid aside in the chest, but he simply mentioned what had been resolved upon among them. This involves no blame in respect of fickleness or mistake. It was, then, of this promise that Paul spoke. (707)...

1-5 When we would have others do good, we must act toward them prudently and tenderly, and give them time. Christians should consider what is for the credit of their profession, and endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. The duty of ministering to the saints is so plain, that there would seem no need to exhort Christians to it; yet self-love contends so powerfully against the love of Christ, that it is often necessary to stir up their minds by way of remembrance....

Verse 2 Corinthians 9:2. _I KNOW THE FORWARDNESS OF YOUR MIND_] You have already _firmly purposed_ to contribute to the support of the poor and suffering saints. _THAT ACHAIA WAS READY A YEAR AGO_] The whole of the _Morea_ was anciently called _Achaia_, the capital of which was _Corinth_. The apostle means, not only _Corinth_, but other Churches in different parts about Corinth; we know there was a Church at _Cenchrea_, one of the ports on the Corinthian Isthmus. _YOUR ZEAL HATH PROVOKED VERY MANY._] Hearing that the Corinthians were so intent on the relief of the sufferers in Palestine, other Churches, and especially they of _Macedonia_, came forward the more promptly and liberally....

FOR I KNOW THE FORWARDNESS OF YOUR MIND - I know your promptitude, or your readiness to do it; see 2 Corinthians 8:10. Probably Paul here means that he had had opportunity before of witnessing their readiness to do good, and that he had learned in particular of Titus that they had formed the plan to aid in this contribution. FOR WHICH I BOAST OF YOU TO THEM OF MACEDONIA - To the church in Macedonia; see 2 Corinthians 8:1. So well assured was he that the church at Corinth would make the collection as it had proposed, that he boasted of it to the churches of Macedonia as if it were already done, and made use of this as an argument to stimulate them to make an effort. That Achaia

EXPOSITION Encouragement to the Corinthians to fulfil their promises by giving speedily (2 Corinthians 9:1), amply (2 Corinthians 9:6), cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7), and thereby earn God's blessing (2 Corinthians 9:8) in a cause fruitful of blessed consequence (2 Corinthians 9:12). He concludes the subject with a heartfelt thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9:15)....

FOR I KNOW THE FORWARDNESS OF YOUR MIND,.... How that they were willing of themselves to engage in this good work; how readily they came into it; what a cheerful disposition of mind they showed towards it; and how forward they were to begin the collection: FOR WHICH I BOAST OF YOU TO THEM OF MACEDONIA; he had one it before, which had put them upon the like service, and he still continued to boast of them, THAT ACHAIA WAS READY A YEAR AGO: not that their collection was ready made so long ago; but they had shown a readiness of mind, as to every good work, so to this of communicating to the saints a year ago, when they made a beginning, though as yet had not finished. By Achaia is meant, the inhabitants of Achaia. The Arabic version renders it, the citizens of Achaia; of this country, Acts 18:12. It is sometimes taken in a large sense, and design

2. EXHORTATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT. CHAPTER 9 _ 1. Further Exhortations to Liberality. (2 Corinthians 9:1)_ 2. The Blessings Connected with Giving. (2 Corinthians 9:6 .) Again he exhorts them to liberality in giving. He knew their willing mind and had boasted of it to them in Macedonia and told them they were ready a year ago. This had stimulated many. He hoped that they would measure up to this report and fall not behind in this expectation “lest our boasting should be in vain in this behalf.” To encourage them in giving and carrying out what they had purposed, he speaks of the blessing: “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.” There is, then, blessing according to faithfulness in thi

2 Corinthians 9:1. On the general subject, the obligation to provide assistance for God's people, there is no need for Paul to write to the Corinthians. They have already acknowledged that obligation, and Paul has proudly announced their willingness to the Macedonians, a willingness which included the churches of Greece to which Corinth stood as centre. What he is now concerned about, and taking steps to secure, is the fulfilment of their promises and a fulfilment in the spirit of bountifulness and not of grudging calculation....

It is superfluous for me to write to you about this service designed to help God's dedicated people, for I know your eagerness, about which I have boasted for you to the Macedonians, for I have told them that Achaea has been ready since last year, and the story of your zeal has kindled the majority of them. But, all the same, I am sending the brothers, so that, in this particular matter, the boast I made of you may not be proved empty, so that you might be all ready, as I said you were. I do this in case the Macedonians should arrive with me and find you unprepared, and, in case, if that should happen, we--not to mention you yourselves--should be ashamed. I think it necessary to invite the brothers to go on ahead of us, and to get your promised bounty in order in good time, so that it should be ready as if you were eager to give and not as if I were forcing it out of you. As many of the...