2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ACCORDING AS HE PURPOSETH IN HIS HEART - the consent of the free choice [proairesis] must accompany the gift. Opposed to "of necessity;" as "grudgingly" is to "a cheerful giver" (; ; )....

7_Every one according to the purpose of his heart. _As he had enjoined it upon them to give liberally, this, also, required to be added — that liberality is estimated by God, not so much from the sum, as from the disposition. He was desirous, it is true, to induce them to give largely, in order that the brethren might be the more abundantly aided; but he had no wish to extort any thing from them against their will. Hence he exhorts them to give willingly, whatever they might be prepared to give. He places _purpose of heart _in contrast with _regret _and _constraint. _For what we do, when compelled by necessity, is not done by us with _purpose of heart, _but with reluctance. (720) Now the _necessity _meant you must understand to be what is extrinsic, as it is called — that is, what springs from the influence of others. For we obey God, because it is _necessary, _and yet we do it w

6-15 Money bestowed in charity, may to the carnal mind seem thrown away, but when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, from which a valuable increase may be expected. It should be given carefully. Works of charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design. Due thought, as to our circumstances, and those we are about to relieve, will direct our gifts for charitable uses. Help should be given freely, be it more or less; not grudgingly, but cheerfully. While some scatter, and yet increase; others withhold more than is meet, and it tends to poverty. If we had more faith and love, we should waste less on ourselves, and sow more in hope of a plentiful increase. Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased? He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things. He can make...

Verse 2 Corinthians 9:7. _NOT GRUDGINGLY, OR OF NECESSITY_] The Jews had in the temple _two chests_ for alms; the one was של תובה of what was _necessary_, i.e. what the law required, the other was של נרבה of the _free-will offerings_. To escape perdition some would _grudgingly_ give what _necessity_ obliged them; others would give _cheerfully_, for the love of God, and through pity to the poor. Of the _first_, nothing is said; they simply did what the law required. Of the _second_, much is said; _God loves them_. The benefit of almsgiving is lost to the giver when he does it with a _grumbling_ _heart_. And, as he does not do the _duty_ in the _spirit_ of the duty, even the performance of the _letter_ of the law is an abomination in the sight of God. To these two sorts of alms in the temple

EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HE PURPOSETH IN HIS HEART ... - The main idea in this verse is, that the act of giving should be voluntary and cheerful. It should not seem to be extorted by the importunity of others 2 Corinthians 9:6; nor should it be given from urgent necessity, but it should be given as an offering of the heart. On this part of the verse we may remark: (1) That the heart is usually more concerned in the business of giving than the head. If liberality is evinced, it will be the heart which prompts to it; if it is not evinced, it will be because the heart has some bad passions to gratify, and is under the influence of avarice, or selfishness, or some other improper attachment. Very often a man is convinced he ought to give liberally, but a narrow heart and a parsimonious spirit prevents it....

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)....

EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HE PURPOSETH IN HIS HEART,.... Which is not to be understood of the quantity, or any set sum he has fixed upon in his mind to give; but of the quality or nature of giving; or of the manner in which he is to give: SO LET HIM GIVE; of his own will and free choice, from his very heart; not as directed and forced by others, but according to his own counsel and determination: NOT GRUDGINGLY; or not of grief; with pain and uneasiness of mind, grieving at parting with what is given, reflecting on the persons that move him to it, or on the objects moved for. The Jews g reckon this the lowest degree of all in giving alms; "when a man gives to anyone" בעצב, "with grief", to which the apostle seems to refer: who adds, OR OF NECESSITY; of force, by coaction, being obliged to it by the influence, example, or commands of superiors; or through the powerful motives, or prevaili...

CHEERFUL (Greek, "hilaros")....

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

This concern brings him, however, to a renewed consideration of the grace or liberality, and of the blessings attached to it. He touches in succession on the proper temper of such liberality (2 Corinthians 9:6 f.), viz. generous self-determination to sacrifice, such as meets with the Divine approval (quotation from Proverbs 22:8, LXX), the source both of the impulse and of the means for such liberality (2 Corinthians 9:8 ff.), and the ultimate issue of it in widespread thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:12). God it is who is able to make every kind of grace, including this of liberality, to abound; and it is He a