2 Corinthians 9:9

καθὼς γέγραπται. Even as it is written: what has just been stated is exactly what is said of the benevolent man in Scripture; He scattered, he gave to the needy (Psalms 112:9). The difference between πτωχός, the common word for ‘poor’ in the N.T. (2 Corinthians 6:10; Romans 15:26; Galatians 2:10; Galatians 4:9; &c.), and πένης, which occurs here only, should be marked in translation. Both words are classical, and both occur together in Psalms 40:17; Psalms 41:1; Psalms 70:5; Psalms 72:13; Psalms 74:21; Psalms 86:1; Psalms 109:22; Ezekiel 16:49; Ezekiel 18:12; Ezekiel 22:29. In this passage no English Version makes any distinction, although ‘poor and needy’ is so familiar from the Psalms. Nor does the Vulgate, which in the O.T. is very capricious in passages where both words occur. Commonly it has egenus et pauper, but sometimes pauper et inops, and once mendicus et pauper. In the Beatitudes Tertullian preferred beati mendici to beati pauperes, as being closer to the Greek (adv. Marc. iv. 14). Of the two words πτωχός (πτώσσω, ‘I crouch’) is the stronger, implying abject poverty. See Trench, Syn. § xxxvi.; Hatch, Biblical Greek, p. 73. In Ἐσκόρπισεν we have the opposite of σπείρων φειδομένως (2 Corinthians 9:6): μετὰ δαψιλείας ἔδωκε (Chrys.): verbum generosum, spargere, plena manu, sine anxia cogitatione quorsum singula grana cadant (Bengel). Both in LXX., where it is frequent, and in N.T. (Matthew 12:30 = Luke 11:23; John 10:12; John 16:32) it is commonly used of ‘scattering to the winds,’ ‘putting to flight,’ or ‘dispersing.’

ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ. The righteousness which includes and manifests itself in φιλανθρωπία. It is not clear what is meant by the righteousness of the benevolent man enduring for ever. In Psalms 111 [112] it is twice said (2 Corinthians 9:3; 2 Corinthians 9:9) of the good man ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, which is variously interpreted; (1) that the wealth which is the means and the reward of his benevolence will never cease; (2) that he will practise righteousness as long as he lives; (3) that his good deeds will never be forgotten among men; (4) that God will give an everlasting reward; (5) that virtue is imperishable; a good deed remains a good deed for ever. In the previous Psalm (2 Corinthians 9:3-4) the same expression is used of God; ‘His righteousness standeth fast for ever. He hath made a memorial for His wonderful works.’ This perhaps means that the wonderful things which He has done, especially for Israel, will for ever be remembered to His glory. What is true of the good God is in a degree true also of the good man; but God’s remembrance of good deeds is perhaps chiefly in S. Paul’s mind. That he omits τοῦ αἰῶνος after εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα in order to limit the meaning to this life, is not likely: εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα may include the life to come (John 8:51; John 11:26; John 12:34; &c.). S. Paul himself commonly writes εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, with (Galatians 5:4; Philippians 4:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; &c.) or without (Romans 1:25; Romans 9:5; Romans 11:36; &c.) τῶν αἰώνων.