INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 9 The apostle proceeds in this chapter upon the same subject, the making a collection for the poor saints; gives the reason why he sent the brethren to them on this account; directs to the manner in which this service should be performed, and subjoins some fresh argume... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS TOUCHING THE MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS,.... It looks at first sight as if the apostle was entering upon a new subject, though by what follows it appears to be the same; for by "ministering to the saints", he does not mean the ministry of the Gospel to them; nor that mutual assistance members... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I KNOW THE FORWARDNESS OF YOUR MIND,.... How that they were willing of themselves to engage in this good work; how readily they came into it; what a cheerful disposition of mind they showed towards it; and how forward they were to begin the collection: FOR WHICH I BOAST OF YOU TO THEM OF MACEDO... [ Continue Reading ]
YET HAVE I SENT THE BRETHREN,.... Titus, and the other two mentioned in the foregoing chapter: one manuscript reads, "we have sent"; and the Ethiopic version, "they have sent", that is, the Macedonians; but the common reading is best. It might be objected, that since the apostle knew the forwardness... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST HAPLY IF THEY OF MACEDONIA COME WITH ME,.... The apostle had determined to come himself, though he was afterwards prevented by Providence, but could not be certain of the coming of the Macedonian brethren with him; however, as it was probable that some of them would come, whose hearts were so m... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I THOUGHT IT NECESSARY TO EXHORT THE BRETHREN,.... Titus, and the other two, on whom he did not lay his commands, or apostolical injunctions, according to the authority and dignity of his office; only exhorted or besought them, and which was judged by him very needful and proper at this ti... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THIS I SAY,.... This the apostle would have the Corinthians take notice of, and well consider, it being what he could aver for truth, by observation and experience; that as in things natural, so in things of a moral and spiritual kind, HE WHICH SOWETH SPARINGLY SHALL REAP ALSO SPARINGLY, AND HE... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HE PURPOSETH IN HIS HEART,.... Which is not to be understood of the quantity, or any set sum he has fixed upon in his mind to give; but of the quality or nature of giving; or of the manner in which he is to give: SO LET HIM GIVE; of his own will and free choice, from his very... [ Continue Reading ]
AND GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE ALL GRACE ABOUND TOWARDS YOU,.... By "all grace" is meant, not the love and favour of God, the source of all blessings enjoyed in time and eternity; nor the blessings of grace, the fruits of it; nor the Gospel which reveals them; nor the various graces of the Spirit implanted... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IT IS WRITTEN,.... In Psalms 112:9 where it is said of the good and righteous man, HE HATH DISPERSED ממוניה, "his riches", his substance, as the Chaldee paraphrase adds by way of explanation; not in a profuse extravagant manner, but with wisdom and prudence, and yet largely and liberally, accord... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW HE THAT MINISTERETH SEED TO THE SOWER, AND BREAD FOR YOUR FOOD,.... For so the words ought to be pointed and read, as is clear from Isaiah 55:10 to which they refer; and are a "periphrasis" of God, who so blesses the seed that is cast into the earth, that it brings forth such an increase, as tha... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING TO ALL BOUNTIFULNESS,.... These words may be connected with 2 Corinthians 9:8 being included in a parenthesis; and the sense is, that God was not only able to give them a sufficiency, and would give them a sufficiency of temporal things, as food and raiment to their sati... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS SERVICE,.... Not only by the Corinthians, and others, in giving and collecting, but by the apostles in ministering and distributing their contributions to the poor saints, produced these two very good effects: for it NOT ONLY SUPPLIETH THE WANTS OF THE SAINTS; makes u... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILES BY THE EXPERIMENT OF THIS MINISTRATION,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, THEY GLORIFY GOD; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BY THEIR PRAYER FOR YOU,.... The sense is, they glorify God on your behalf, making mention of you in all their prayers at the throne of grace, giving thanks to God for your liberality to them, and imploring all the blessings both of the upper and nether springs upon you; and this contains anothe... [ Continue Reading ]
THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT. Meaning either the goodness of God, both to the giver and receiver; for that the one gave so liberally, and the other received so largely, was from the grace of God, who so powerfully inclines the hearts of his children to do good, and offer so willingly... [ Continue Reading ]