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2
Corinthians Chapter Nine
2 Corinthians 9
In the next chapter the apostle (being on his way to
Judea) exhorts the Corinthians to prepare relief for the poor of Israel;
sending Titus that all might be ready as of a willing mind-a disposition of
which he had spoken on his journey as existing among these Christians, so that
others had been stirred up to give likewise. And now, while reckoning upon
their goodwill, and knowing that they had begun a year before. he would run no
risk of finding that facts gave the lie to what he had said of them. Not that
he would burden the Corinthians and ease those of Judea, but that the rich
should provide for the need of the poor brethren, in order that none should be
in want. Every one, if his will were in it, should be accepted of God according
to his ability. He loved a cheerful giver. Only they should reap according as
they sowed. Titus, happy at the result of his first visit, and attached to the
Corinthians, was ready to go again and gather this fruit also for their own
blessing. With him went the messengers of the other churches, charged with the
collection made among them for the same purpose-a brother known to all the
churches, and another of approved diligence, stimulated by Paul's confidence in
the Corinthians. The apostle would not take charge of the money without having
companions whose charge it should also be, avoiding all possibility of reproach
in affairs of this kind, taking care that everything should be honest before
men as well as before God. Nevertheless he did not speak by commandment in all
this, but on account of the zeal of other churches, and to prove the sincerity
of their love.
It will be remembered that it was this collection which occasioned all
that happened to Paul at Jerusalem-that which put an end to his ministry,
stopped him on his way into Spain, and perhaps other places; and which, on the
other hand, gave occasion to write the epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, Philemon, and, it may be, to the Hebrews. How little we know the
bearing of the circumstances we enter upon, happy that we are led by Him who
knows the end from the beginning, and who makes all things work for good to
those who love Him!
In closing those exhortations to give according to their
ability, he commends them to the rich goodness of God, who was able to make
them abound in all things, so that they should be in circumstances to multiply
their good works, enriched to all bountifulness, so as to produce in others (by
means of the apostle's services in this respect) thanksgiving unto God. For, he
adds, the happy effect of your practical charity, exercised in the name of
Christ, would not only supply the want of the saints (through his
administration of the collection made at Corinth) but abound also in thanksgiving
to God; for, those who received it blessed God that their benefactors had been
brought to confess the name of Christ, and to act with this practical
liberality to them and to all. And this thought stirred them up to pray with
fervent desire for those who provided in this way for their need, because of
the grace of God manifested in them. Thus the bonds of eternal charity were
strengthened on both sides, and glory redounded to God. Thanks be to God, says
the apostle, for His unspeakable gift; for whatsoever may be the fruits of
grace, we have the proof and the power in that which God has given. Here ends
the matter of the epistle properly so called.
── John Darby《Synopsis of 2 Corinthians》
2 Corinthians 9
Chapter Contents
The reason for sending Titus to collect their alms. (1-5)
The Corinthians to be liberal and cheerful, The apostle thanks God for his
unspeakable gift. (6-15)
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9:1-5
(Read 2 Corinthians 9:1-5)
When we would have others do good, we must act toward
them prudently and tenderly, and give them time. Christians should consider
what is for the credit of their profession, and endeavour to adorn the doctrine
of God their Saviour in all things. The duty of ministering to the saints is so
plain, that there would seem no need to exhort Christians to it; yet self-love
contends so powerfully against the love of Christ, that it is often necessary
to stir up their minds by way of remembrance.
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
(Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15)
Money bestowed in charity, may to the carnal mind seem
thrown away, but when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, from which
a valuable increase may be expected. It should be given carefully. Works of
charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design. Due
thought, as to our circumstances, and those we are about to relieve, will
direct our gifts for charitable uses. Help should be given freely, be it more
or less; not grudgingly, but cheerfully. While some scatter, and yet increase;
others withhold more than is meet, and it tends to poverty. If we had more
faith and love, we should waste less on ourselves, and sow more in hope of a
plentiful increase. Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased? He
is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a
large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things. He can make us to have
enough in all things; and to be content with what we have. God gives not only
enough for ourselves, but that also wherewith we may supply the wants of
others, and this should be as seed to be sown. We must show the reality of our
subjection to the gospel, by works of charity. This will be for the credit of
our profession, and to the praise and glory of God. Let us endeavour to copy the
example of Christ, being unwearied in doing good, and deeming it more blessed
to give than to receive. Blessed be God for the unspeakable gift of his grace,
whereby he enables and inclines some of his people to bestow upon others, and
others to be grateful for it; and blessed be his glorious name to all eternity,
for Jesus Christ, that inestimable gift of his love, through whom this and
every other good thing, pertaining to life and godliness, are freely given unto
us, beyond all expression, measure, or bounds.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians》
2 Corinthians 9
Verse 1
[1] For
as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to
you:
To write to you —
Largely.
Verse 2
[2] For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them
of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked
very many.
I boast to them of Macedonia — With whom he then was.
Verse 3
[3] Yet
have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this
behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
I have sent the above mentioned brethren
before me.
Verse 5
[5]
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go
before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice
before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of
covetousness.
Spoken of before — By
me, to the Macedonians.
Not as a matter of covetousness — As wrung by importunity from covetous persons.
Verse 6
[6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and
he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
He that soweth sparingly shall reap
sparingly; he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully — A general rule. God will proportion the reward to the work, and the
temper whence it proceeds.
Verse 7
[7]
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Of necessity —
Because he cannot tell how to refuse.
Verse 8
[8] And
God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all
sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
How remarkable are these words! Each is
loaded with matter and increases all the way it goes.
All grace — Every
kind of blessing.
That ye may abound to every good work — God gives us everything, that we may do good therewith, and so receive
more blessings. All things in this life, even rewards, are, to the faithful,
seeds in order to a future harvest. Proverbs 22:9
Verse 9
[9] (As
it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his
righteousness remaineth for ever.
He hath scattered abroad — (A generous word.) With a full hand, without any anxious thought which
way each grain falls.
His righteousness —
His beneficence, with the blessed effects of it.
Remaineth for ever —
Unexhausted, God still renewing his store. Psalms 112:9
Verse 10
[10] Now
he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and
multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
And he who supplieth seed — Opportunity and ability to help others.
And bread —
All things needful for your own souls and bodies. Will continually supply you
with that seed, yea, multiply it to you more and more.
And increase the fruits of your righteousness — The happy effects of your love to God and man. Isaiah 55:10
Verse 11
[11]
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us
thanksgiving to God.
Which worketh by us thanksgiving to God — Both from us who distribute, and them who receive, your bounty.
Verse 13
[13]
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your
professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal
distribution unto them, and unto all men;
Your avowed subjection — Openly testified by your actions.
To all men —
Who stand in need of it.
Verse 15
[15]
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
His unspeakable gift — His outward and inward blessings, the number and excellence of which
cannot he uttered.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 2 Corinthians》
Chapter 9. The Effect of Generous
Offering
Whoever Sows
Sparingly Will Also Reap Sparingly
Whoever Sows Generously Will Also Reap Generously
I. There Should
be Real Action
II. God's
Abounding Grace
III.
Indescribable Gift
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
Chapter Nine General Review
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see how Paul had used the Corinthians' zeal to motivate the Macedonians in their giving (whose sacrificial giving had been used in chapter eight to motivate the Corinthians) 2) To appreciate what kind of giving is pleasing to God 3) To see the relation between sowing and reaping, and what is the proper use of what we have reaped 4) To observe what a collection like this was designed to produce SUMMARY
As he continues his discussion about the collection for the needy saints, Paul confesses that his writing may be superfluous. That isbecause he knows their willingness of which he boasted to theMacedonians, who in turn were stirred up by the zeal of the Corinthians. Yet Paul felt it necessary to send the messengers to ensure that the Corinthians had their gift ready, and that it was oneof true generosity and not out of a grudging obligation. To find themunprepared would be embarrassing to both Paul and the Corinthians (1-5). That they might give liberally, Paul reminds them of the principle ofsowing and reaping, and that God loves a cheerful giver. He alsowrites of God's ability to give them an abundance for every good work,and prays that God will multiply the seed they have sown so they willbe enriched in all things for even more liberality on their part (6-11). He concludes this section by pointing out the effect this collection will have. It not only supplies the needs of the saints, it will abound in thanksgiving and praise to God, and produce prayers and longing in the hearts of the recipients for their benefactors. This prompts Paul to give thanks to God, for it is He who makes these thingspossible (12-15)! OUTLINE
I. PURPOSE OF THE MESSENGERS (1-5)
A. PAUL'S WRITING MAY BE SUPERFLUOUS (1-2) 1. For he knows their willingness, of which he boasted to the Macedonians (1-2a ) 2. Their zeal had stirred up the majority (2b) B. BUT PAUL STILL BELIEVED THE MESSENGERS WERE NECESSARY (3-5) 1. Lest his boasting of them be in vain (3-4) 2. To make sure the Corinthians were prepared with their gift (5a ) 3. To ensure that their gift was one of generosity, and not of a grudging obligation (5b) II. ENCOURAGEMENT TO GIVE LIBERALLY (6-15)
A. FOR ONE REAPS WHAT THEY SOW (6) 1. He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly (6a ) 2. He who sows bountifully will reap bountifully (6b) B. FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER (7) 1. Each one must give as they have purposed in their heart (7a ) 2. Not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves cheerful giving (7b) C. FOR GOD WILL INCREASE THEIR ABILITY TO DO GOOD (8-11) 1. God is able to give an abundance for every good work (8-9) 2. A prayer that God will supply and increase the fruits of their righteousness (10) 3. So that their enrichment will produce more liberality, leading many to give thanks (11) D. FOR THE EFFECT IT HAS (12-15) 1. It supplies the needs of the saints (12a ) 2. It produces many thanksgivings to God (12b) 3. It causes people to glorify God for the Corinthians' obedience to the gospel and their liberal sharing (13) 4. It creates prayer and longing for the Corinthians by the recipients of the gift (14) -- All this prompting Paul to thank God for this wonderful gift! (15) REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Purpose of the messengers (1-5) - Encouragement to give liberally (6-15) 2) Why was Paul's writing to the Corinthians about this collection superfluous? (1-2)
- For he knew of their willingness, of which he boasted to the Macedonians - Their zeal had stirred up the majority 3) Why were the messengers being sent? (3-5)
- Lest Paul's boasting about the Corinthians be in vain - That their gift might be ready, and one of generosity 4) What is the relation between sowing and reaping? (6)
- As you sow, so shall you reap (cf. Ga 6:7) 5) What kind of giving pleases God? (7)
- Cheerful giving, not grudgingly or of necessity