2 Corinthians 9:4

μή πως ἐὰν ἔλθωσι κ. τ. λ.: lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia (not “they of Macedonia,” as A.V.; it is probably a fair inference from this verse that the unnamed “brethren” of 2 Corinthians 8:18; 2 Corinthians 8:22 were not Macedonians), and find you unprepared, i.e., with the collection still incomplete, we that we say not, ye (which is what he really wishes to convey to them) should be put to shame in this confidence, i.e., should be shamed because of our exaggerated statements. ὑπόστασις = substratum or substance (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 11:1) is sometimes used in the LXX as = “ground of hope” (Ruth 1:12; Psalms 38:6; Ezekiel 19:5), and thus it came to mean “confidence,” as here (see reff.).