THE MINISTERING] St. Paul had already written on the collection in general (1 Corinthians 16:1), and had sent instructions by Titus on his first visit (2 Corinthians 12:18). THE SAINTS] the Christians in Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
_(C) 9:1-15. EXHORTATIONS TO GENEROUS GIVING_ There is no need to write to you about the purpose and necessity of the collection, for your zeal in the matter is well known, and has been used by me as a stimulus to the Macedonians. I send our friends to you only to make sure that our boast of you ha... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FORWARDNESS OF YOUR mind] RV 'your readiness.' A YEAR AGO] see on 2 Corinthians 8:10. PROVOKED] RV 'stirred up.'... [ Continue Reading ]
WE (THAT WE SAY NOT, YE)] He bids them realise how much he would be ashamed before the Macedonian delegates if they were unprepared: at the same time he suggests in passing that he is sure their own shame would not be less than his.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR BOUNTY, WHEREOF YE HAD NOTICE BEFORE] RV 'your aforepromised bounty.' BOUNTY, AND NOT.. COVETOUSNESS] He desired their gift to be ready before he came, that it might be evident to the delegates that they had given it of their own free-will, and did not need to have it dragged out of them throu... [ Continue Reading ]
AS HE PURPOSETH IN HIS HEART, _so let him give,_ etc.] i.e. do not let a man give what he grudges or because he feels that he must do as the others; let the open hand correspond to the willing spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL GRACE] every earthly blessing that will give them opportunity of blessing others. THAT YE.. MAY ABOUND] The purpose of God's gifts to them is that they may share them with others: cp. for the thought 2 Corinthians 1:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'And God has power to enrich you with all earthly blessings, that ye may have sufficient for yourselves and the means of helping those who need, (9) and so experience the fulfilment of the promise of God's Word. (10) Now God, who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will both p... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IT IS WRITTEN] Psalms 112:9. HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS REMAINETH] In return for his generosity, God will give him continually the disposition to be generous; the charitable man has his reward in becoming more charitable—a true spiritual blessing.... [ Continue Reading ]
The exercise of the gift of charity had both a material and a religious value.... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'For this charity has a twofold benefit: it supplies the needs of the brethren in Jerusalem, and it makes them give thanks and praise to God. (13) They give glory to God because they see in this bounty the proof of your obedience to Christ, and they praise Him for your generous gift to t... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILES BY THE EXPERIMENT OF THIS MINISTRATION] RV 'Seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration.' The reception of the collection would be proof to the Church in Jerusalem of the true Christianity of those who called themselves Christians in Corinth: cp. 1 John 4:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT] The establishment of these happy relations between the Churches, each giving thanks for the others and praying for their growth in all goodness, was a blessing from God beyond the power of words to express.... [ Continue Reading ]