2 Corinthians 9:10

Now he that ministereth The word used twice in this verse has the original signification of leading a chorus. Hence it came to mean to defray the expensesof a chorus, since when a wealthy man was appointed to any office of importance in his city, it was usual for him to provide festal displays for the citizens. Hence it came to have the general meaning of furnish, provide, as here.

both minister In the best MSS. these verbs are in the future indicative, i.e. willminister; willmultiply; willincrease (so Wiclif and Tyndale); not, as the received Greek text, in the optative.

bread for your food In the Greek these words seem to belong to the former verb, -Now he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply," &c. The words here are a quotation from the LXX. version of Isaiah 55:10.

increase the fruits of your righteousness Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 3:6. The words are taken from the LXX. version of Hosea 10:12. The metaphor is taken from the natural processes of growth just referred to. God supplies the seed of works of mercy; He multiplies it, and good works in plenty are the crop.