2 Corinthians 9

1. The Apostle testifies that he is sufficiently assured of the inclination of the Corinthians to the promoting of this collection, 3. and gives reason why he hath sent the forenamed brethren unto them before hand, namely, that all things may be ready when he shall come. 6. Exhorts them to give liberally and willingly by divers reasons, taken from Gods liberal blessing, love, and grace upon them that shall sow liberally, 11. and from the thanksgiving that shall be made for it to God by them who shall be partakers of their liberality, 14 and from the prayers which they shall make for them to God.

1. For concerning the ministration [Hereby may be understood either the contribution itself, or the manner of collecting it, and sending it to Jerusalem, which he leaves wholly to their pleasure, because he knew that they had long since been ready thereunto, and had sufficient prudence to the same well and duly] which (is done) for the Saints, is it needless for me to write unto you. [namely, more largely or further.]

2. For I know the readiness of your mind, of which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia [Of which Corinth was the chief City. See Romans 15:26. and 1 Cor. 1, 2.] was ready for a year ago: and the zeal (begun) by you, hath stirred up many.

3. But I have sent these brethren [Namely, Titus with the two others, of whom mention is made in the former chapter] that our boasting which (we have) of you, should not be made vain in this part: that (as I have said) ye may be ready. [namely, against I come, as the following verse declares.]

4. (And) left it may be if the Macedonians should come with me [That is, the brethren which were chosen by the churches of Macedonia, for the bringing over of their collection] and should you unready, we (that we say not, you) should be ashamed, in this firm ground of boasting. [Gr. in this substance of boasting, i.e. in my firm confidence and bold boasting of you, namely, that ye would not be wanting.]

5. I thought (it) needful therefore to exhort these brethren that they should first come to you, and prepare your before-mentioned blessing, [This may be understood either of that which Titus had declared to them from Paul in his return from them; as may be gathered from chapter 7. v. 13. Or of that which Paul had written unto them whereof before in first Epistle in the beginning of 16th chap.] that it may be ready so as a blessing, [that is, as a free and liberal gift, as a blessing hath that property that it proceeds from a well-affected and liberal heart: an Hebrew phrase] and not as a niggardliness. [that is, not as a gift wrung from covetousness, or desire to have more, from which sort of men it can hardly be obtained that they give anything; or if they give ought, it is very unwillingly, and as it were wrung or wrested from them.]

6. And this (I say) he that soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly: and he that soweth in blessings, [That is, freely and liberally, as in the former verse. Understand always, according to what a man hath, as 2 Cor. 8. 12.] Shall also reap [that is, receive abundant recompense from God, Galatians 6:9.] in blessings.

7. (Let) every one (do) even as he purposeth [Gr. electeth, chuseth, namely of his own free will] in (his) heart: not of grief or of necessity. [namely, for fear of being blamed if he should do otherwise, or loosing his respect with men] For God loveth a cheerful giver.

8. And God is able to cause all grace [That is, means to be able to be bountiful towards every one] to be abundant in you: that ye in all things always having all sufficiency, [namely, not only with your selves in your mind, which is great gain, 1 Tim. 6. 6. but also abundance, to be able to relieve others in all kinds of necessity] may be abundant unto every good work.

9. As it is written, [Namely, Psal. 112. 9. where the Prophet also describes the properties of a godly man in this manner] he hath dispersed, he hath gived to the poor: his righteousness [that is, his bounty by the Hebrews. See Psalms 112:9.] abideth for ever. [namely, in the remembrance of men, and also of God, to be of grace rewarded for ever, Matthew 25:34. etc. Luke 12. v. 33. and chapter 16. 9. & c.]

10. But let him that affordeth seed to the sower, also afford bread for meat, [Others dinstinguish this thus, and also bread for meat, he afford and multiply, etc.] and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: [that is, liberality as v. 9.]

11. That ye may be rich in all things unto all bountifulness, [Or simplicity] which by us worketh thanksgiving unto God. [Namely, by the poor and such as suffer want, who are stirred up to thank God, when they receive such benefits from us, as the following verses further declare.]

12. For the ministration of this service [Gr. Leitourgias, which word signifies indeed all manner of public service, as is noted, Acts 13:2. but is also sometimes taken for a service of offering, as alms are also called spiritual offerings, Philippians 4:18. Hebrews 13:16. which signification therefore suits not amiss here also] doth not only supply the want of the Saints, but is also abundant by many thanksgivings unto God.

13. While by the proof [Or approbation, good opinion] of this ministration, they glorify God for the subjection of your confession under the Gospel of Christ, [That is, that ye hereby openly confess or testify, that ye subject your selves in all things unto the Gospel of Christ, which also especially commendeth the works of charity] and (for) the bountifulness of communication unto them and unto all.

14. And by their prayer for you [Namely, which the believers at Jerusalem being stirred up by your liberality shall make the more servently for you] who long after you, [or are very desirous after you, namely, that they may daily here of your welfare. It may also be translated, who bear great affection to you] for the excellent grace of God upon you. [that is, because they have understood by us and others, how great grace and what great gifts the Lord hath given to your church, Acts 21:18, 19.]

15. But thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. [Herewith the Apostle concludes this whole discourse, to admonish them that the glory of all the fore-mentioned glorying and gifts, whereof he had spoken, and for which he had praised them, must be ascribed not properly to them, but to God alone, for their humiliation.]