Lectionary Calendar

Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33

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Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians2Co 8 2 Corinthians2Co 2 Corinthians2Co 10

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Verse 1

Verse 1 Paul knew that the Corinthians would give to care for the poor saints.

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Verse 2 He believed the Corinthians when, over a year before, they had committed themselves to give. He used that as a means of moving others to action, much as he used the Macedonians to stimulate the Corinthians ( 2Co_8:1-5 ). In fact, the example of Achaia had stirred Macedonia to its liberality.

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Verse 3

Verse 3 Titus and two other brethren ( 2Co_8:16-22 ) were sent by Paul to take up the collection so that Paul's good words about the Corinthian readiness would not prove empty.

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Verse 4

Verse 4 Paul did not want to be ashamed, to say nothing of the shame of Corinthians would feel, if one from Macedonia should come and find their example not as good as the Macedonians' own gift.

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Verse 5

Verse 5 Thus, the brethren were sent ahead of Paul that the Corinthians could give freely rather than feeling pressured into giving because they feared Paul's rebuke. Aa gift freely given is the only one of value to the Christian ( Php_4:17 ).

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Verse 6

Verse 6 This law stands in the spiritual realm as well as the physical. The one who skimps on the planting will have a skimpy reward. Those who abundantly plant will reap in abundance.

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Verse 7

Verse 7 We should give out of our heart's desire and not as others require. We should not give if such giving bring tears and sorrow as we part from our money. Morgan says the word "cheerful" could literally be rendered "hilarious". We should want to laugh and sing for the joy of giving.

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Verse 8

Verse 8 God can favor us with temporal good and will when we cheerfully give.

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Verse 9

Verse 9 Paul quotes Psa_112:9 to show that the man who cheerfully gives will be physically provided for. It further shows that this man will always be able to give since God will replenish his goods. The word righteousness here means general virtue or excellence as shown in giving to those in need.

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Verse 10

Verse 10 God causes the farmer to receive a harvest which provides for his needs and gives him seed to use the next time. n the same way, the one who sows the seed of giving will see needs taken care of and see provided for future giving.

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Verse 11

Verse 11 Their free gift would multiply their ability to give freely and cause the ones who received to glorify God.

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Verse 12

Verse 12 Then, the gift not only provides for the needs of the saints, but also goes up to God in the form of thanks given.

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Verse 13

Verse 13 Those in Jerusalem would give thanks for the provision for their needs and for the Corinthians. They would give praise to God for the good Christians who were truly converted, as their actions showed, at Corinth. They would give thanks for the generous gift and the knowledge that the needy everywhere could rely on Corinth.

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Verse 14

Verse 14 Paul says that the Jerusalem saints would pray for God's blessings on the Corinthians and that they might meet face to face and fellowship their generous brethren.

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Verse 15

Verse 15 Because of the great work the Corinthians were involved in and its effect on the Jerusalem brethren, Paul is moved to thank God for the great gift of Jesus that brought such fellowship about.

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2 Corinthians2Co 8 2 Corinthians2Co 2 Corinthians2Co 10

Bibliographical Information
Hampton, Gary. "Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9". "Hampton's Commentary on Selected Books". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ghc/2-corinthians-9.html. 2014.

Bible Commentaries2 Corinthians 9

Hampton's Commentary on Selected BooksHampton's Commentary

Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 9