Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 9

Verses 1-15

In concluding this subject of the collection for the saints the apostle declares that he desires that their giving should be glad and spontaneous. He excludes two methods of giving, "grudgingly," that is, very literally, sorrowfully. It is the giving of those who have not first given themselves, and consequently are conscious of the loss of that which is given. "Or of necessity," that is, giving as simply an act of duty, and not from an impulse of delight. On the contrary, he says, "God loveth a cheerful giver."

He then recites the advantages of giving. The first of these is that giving will fill the wants of the saints. That in itself is good, but the outcome is even better. Through such ministry gifts will cause glory to God.

And yet again, they will bring the intercession of those they have helped, a harvest of precious value. The final word concerning this whole subject is an expression of thanks to God for His unspeakable gift, for the apostle knows that the remembrance of it will do more than all his argument to stimulate the generosity of those who have received the inestimable blessing.