Chapter Nine

Why it was necessary to send the brother collectors to Corinth (1–5). A renewed exhortation to generosity in giving alms (6–15).

2 Cor 9:1-5. The Apostle sent the aforementioned brother collectors to Corinth so that the Corinthians would have the charitable gift ready by the time of his arrival and that of certain Macedonian Christians — as a completely voluntary donation, not compelled by the personal presence of the Apostle Paul.

2 Corinthians 9:1. For me, however, it is unnecessary to write to you about the ministry to the saints, 2 Corinthians 9:2. for I know your eagerness, and I boast about you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up many. The Apostle knows that the Corinthians are disposed to give alms; he has already praised them for this before the Macedonian Christians. — Achaia — see 2 Cor 1:1.

2 Corinthians 9:3. But I sent the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, but that you may be ready, as I said, 2 Corinthians 9:4. lest, when Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we — not to say you — should be put to shame in this confidence. 2 Corinthians 9:5. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and to arrange in advance for your promised gift to be ready as a generous gift, and not as an exaction. Under the influence of the sorrow that the Apostle Paul’s letter had brought upon the Corinthians (2 Cor 7:9), the collection of alms may have come to a halt. In view of this, the Apostle sends the brother collectors to rekindle this good work in Corinth. It was especially necessary to stir up in the hearts of the Corinthians a disposition toward the collection, so that this collection would not seem to them a mere “exaction.” 2 Cor 9:6-15. The Apostle takes the opportunity here to speak about the spirit in which alms ought to be given, and about the power of God — by virtue of which the giver can always be assured that God is able to give him means for generous charity — and finally about the benefit that generous almsgiving brings. The Apostle concludes his discourse by offering praise to God for His greatest gift, which humanity received in Christ Jesus, and which urges Christians all the more to be generous to others.

2 Corinthians 9:6. But this I say: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously will also reap generously. The Apostle, of course, has in view here the reward that the merciful will receive in heaven (cf. Matt 5:7).

2 Corinthians 9:7. Let each one give as he has decided in his heart, not with regret or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. But there must be no compulsion for the propertied class of Christians: God loves and values only those who give freely (a quotation from the book Prov 22:8 according to the Septuagint text. This expression is not found in the original text).

2 Corinthians 9:8. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may be abundant for every good work, 2 Corinthians 9:9. as it is written: he scattered, he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.10 In answer to the question of where Christians might find means for charitable giving after they have already given away all they could, the Apostle replies that God will send them such means for good works. Even in the Old Testament, the generous alms-giver was promised that “his righteousness,” that is, his righteous deeds, “endures forever” (Ps 111:9). This means that God will always reward the righteous person with outward prosperity as well (cf. Ps 111:3).

2 Corinthians 9:10. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply the seed you have sown and will increase the fruits of your righteousness, The Apostle has in mind here a passage from the book of Isaiah (Isa 55:10), where the subject of the phrase “he who gives seed” is of course “rain.” The prophet compares the goodness and omnipotence of God to rain. In the Apostle’s usage, the implied subject is “God.” That God, says the Apostle, who gives the sower seed, also gives the Corinthians means for charity and then “will increase the fruits of your righteousness” (cf. Hos 10:12) — that is, will richly reward you for your disposition toward the poor.

2 Corinthians 9:11. so that you may be enriched in everything for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God. The Apostle develops the same thought more fully here. The wealth received from God will make the Corinthians even more ready to give alms. And how great is the significance of this virtue of generosity! Through it we, weak people, stir in many thankful feelings toward God and thus contribute to His glory.

2 Corinthians 9:12. For the rendering of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God; A repetition of the thought of verse 11, but with direct reference to the present circumstances of the Jerusalem Church.

2 Corinthians 9:13. for by the proof of this service they glorify God for the obedience of your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all, Nothing so clearly demonstrates submission to the law of the Gospel — the law of love — as the generous giving of alms to needy brothers. This also gives witness that the benefactors and the poor remain in genuine spiritual communion with one another.

2 Corinthians 9:14. while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God in you. The poor, receiving alms, pray for their benefactors.

2 Corinthians 9:15. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! “His gift,” that is, Christ’s (cf. John 4:10; Rom 5:15). * * * Notes Ps 111