Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 9

Verse 1

2Co 9:1. It was superfluous or unnecessary to write as far as their general state of mind was concerned, as to giving to the poor ones in Judea.

Verse 2

2Co 9:2. Their being ready for a year proved the Corinthians had the right attitude on the subject. Paul had boasted (spoken in complimentary terms) to the churches in Macedonia of the forwardness of the churches in Achaia (another name for Greece in which Corinth was located. Your zeal hath provoked very many. (Chapter 8:8.)

Verse 3

2Co 9:3. It is easy to forget about a duty, especially if the occasion for doing it is delayed some time. Hence Paul sent the brethren on ahead to remind the brethren at Corinth about it to be ready, lest his boasting should be in vain.

Verse 4

2Co 9:4. The brethren from Macedonia would be with Paul when he came to take up the money at Corinth. If they had forgotten to get ready it would make the apostle feel as if they had "let him down." That we say not ye. Even if such a condition should be found upon arrival, Paul would take the humiliation upon himself only, and he wished to avoid it by this reminder.

Verse 5

2Co 9:5. Much of this verse is the same as verse 3. Bounty, not covetousness. The first word means something bestowed as a blessing and therefore as a free gift. If the donation is prompted by the desire to bless another, then the gift will not be so stinted as to show the donor to be covetous, nor that he was making the contribution under the impression that he "had to do it."

Verse 6

2Co 9:6. This verse is said on the general principle in nature that a man's harvest is regulated in part by the kind of seed that he sows. The harvest in this case consists in the good being accomplished by the fellowship, and the approval of God for their generous contribution toward the needy and worthy disciples of Christ.

Verse 7

2Co 9:7. Purposeth is from PROAIREO, and it is the only place it is used in, the Greek New Testament. Thayer defines it, "to bring forward, bring forth from one's stores; to bring forth for one's self, to choose for one's self before another, i. e., to prefer; to purpose." The word gives us two thoughts, namely, that a man should ponder over the amount he is going to give, and also that no one else can do this pondering for him. As to the amount he decides to give, and the spirit in which he does it, that must be determined by the following part of this verse together with verse 6. Grudgingly is from LUPE which Thayer defines, "sorrow, pain, grief." After a man decides what he is able to give, it should not be painful to him when he does it. The familiar suggestion that "we should give until it hurts" is therefore un-scriptural. Of necessity means not to give with the feeling that one "has to." Cheerful is from HILAROS (similar to our English word "hilarious"), and is the opposite of giving grudgingly. As to the amount one should be glad to give, that is to be determined by 1Co 16:2 and 2Co 8:12, spurred by the exhortation in verse 6 of our present chapter.

Verse 8

2Co 9:8. In the "days of miracles" it sometimes happened that special literal favors were bestowed upon faithful disciples. But this matter is of too much importance to allow of such an application of the promise. Yet we can believe that the proper grace will be given to those who devote their time and possessions to the Lord.

Verse 9

2Co 9:9-10. This paragraph takes the same comments as the preceding one. Mat 6:33 also should be considered in connection with the subject.

Verse 11

2Co 9:11. Bountifulness means liberality, and the faithful disciple who is disposed to be generous in his support of the cause of Christ, may expect to be able to perform the worthy service. Through us. The apostle was going to take the gifts of the Corinthians to the needy ones in Judea, which would cause them to give God thanks.

Verse 12

2Co 9:12. This expression of thanksgiving that would be caused by the help bestowed upon the poor saints, was as much valued by Paul as the actual relief of their needs by administration of the financial service.

Verse 13

2Co 9:13. Professed subjects. The Corinthian brethren carried out their profession for the Gospel by doing something practical on behalf of fellow disciples. This caused the recipients of the distribution (financial fellowship) to give God the glory, as being the main cause of the whole experiment.

Verse 14

2Co 9:14. The disciples in Judea also prayed for their benefactors. Long after you denotes an increasing feeling of interest in these brethren because of the grace or favor of God which they believed to be evident in them.

Verse 15

2Co 9:15. Unspeakable is from a Greek word that means "indescribable." In verse 13 the Gospel of Christ is given a prominent place In the situation, and verse 14 includes the grace of God. This wonderful relationship of the Jewish disciples in Judea with the Gentile brethren in Greece and Macedonia, was made possible by the Gospel of His Son. No wonder Paul calls it an unspeakable gift, for human language is incapable fully to describe it.