2 Corinthians 9:5

the brethren i.e. those mentioned in the last chapter.

go before i.e. before the Apostle.

your bounty, whereof ye had notice before Rather, according to the best MSS., -your previously announced bounty," i.e. either (1) announced by me to the Macedonian Churches; or (2) generally, promised beforehand. The word translated bountyis more usually translated blessing(Vulg. benedictio). See 1 Corinthians 10:16; also Genesis 33:11; 1 Samuel 30:26 in the LXX. The gifts of the Corinthians are called a blessing, because they are so to others, and because they call down a blessing on those who impart them. See Dean Stanley's note, who quotes the well-known passage from the Merchant of Venice, where Portia says that mercy is "twice blessed; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes."

as a matter of bounty Rather, so as to be a blessing.

and not as of covetousness Rather, perhaps, greed; i.e. to be given in a generous and not in a grudging spirit. But Dr Plumptre regards it as possibly referring to St Paul, -as a work of yourbounty, not of myclaims upon your purses." Ch. 2 Corinthians 7:2; 2 Corinthians 12:17-18, which he cites, are decidedly in favour of this interpretation. For covetous, covetousness, see 1 Corinthians 5:10 (note).