‘For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you, for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to those of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past, and your zeal has stirred up very many of them.' Note the connecting ‘for' which... [ Continue Reading ]
FURTHER REASONS WHY THEY SHOULD REVEAL THEIR GENEROSITY (2 CORINTHIANS 9:1). It is often noted that this chapter appears to repeat to some extent the ideas in chapter 8, yet from a different angle, and seems to begin almost from scratch. And this has caused some to think that this is a separate let... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect, so that, even as I said, you may be prepared, lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, you) should be put to shame in this confidence.'... [ Continue Reading ]
‘I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before to you, and make up beforehand your previously promised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion (covetousness).' So that was why he had felt it necessary to send these three... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But this I say (or ‘is always so'), He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.' For the general thought see Proverbs 22:8, ‘he who sows iniquity will reap calamity -- he who has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread t... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Let each man do according as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.' Paul then draws out the lesson. Let them indeed give as they decide for themselves, but let them remember to give cheerfully and generously, for God looks at the heart, and... [ Continue Reading ]
‘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.' For let not those who give generously from a godly heart be in any doubt. They serve an abundant God, and a God who knows how to abound in His giving, a God of su... [ Continue Reading ]
‘As it is written, He (a righteous man) has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness abides for ever.' For the Scripture's model of a righteous man is that he scatters abroad what he possesses, he gives to the poor and needy, and thus he continues in righteousness for ever and... [ Continue Reading ]
And he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, you being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.' And the consequence will be that the One Who on... [ Continue Reading ]
‘For the ministration of this service not only fills up the measure of the needs of the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God.' For that is what the carrying out of such service as a ministry achieves. It not only supplies the physical needs of God's people, but results in abou... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Seeing that through the proving (or ‘approval') of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution (‘contribution in fellowship' - koinonia) to them and to all, while they themselves also, with suppl... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.' And what is it that achieves all this? It is God's unspeakable gift of His Son, a gift beyond describing, Who through the sacrifice of Himself made all this possible. How great then are the thanks that are due to Him. Through Him He is achieving more tha... [ Continue Reading ]