‘For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous
for me to write to you, for I know your readiness, of which I glory on
your behalf to those of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a
year past, and your zeal has stirred up very many of them.'
Note the connecting ‘for' which... [ Continue Reading ]
FURTHER REASONS WHY THEY SHOULD REVEAL THEIR GENEROSITY (2 CORINTHIANS
9:1).
It is often noted that this chapter appears to repeat to some extent
the ideas in chapter 8, yet from a different angle, and seems to begin
almost from scratch. And this has caused some to think that this is a
separate let... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may
not be made void in this respect, so that, even as I said, you may be
prepared, lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia
and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, you) should be put to
shame in this confidence.'... [ Continue Reading ]
‘I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they
would go before to you, and make up beforehand your previously
promised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty,
and not of extortion (covetousness).'
So that was why he had felt it necessary to send these three... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But this I say (or ‘is always so'), He who sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully.'
For the general thought see Proverbs 22:8, ‘he who sows iniquity
will reap calamity -- he who has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for
he gives of his bread t... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Let each man do according as he has purposed in his heart, not
grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.'
Paul then draws out the lesson. Let them indeed give as they decide
for themselves, but let them remember to give cheerfully and
generously, for God looks at the heart, and... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always
having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.'
For let not those who give generously from a godly heart be in any
doubt. They serve an abundant God, and a God who knows how to abound
in His giving, a God of su... [ Continue Reading ]
‘As it is written, He (a righteous man) has scattered abroad, he has
given to the poor. His righteousness abides for ever.'
For the Scripture's model of a righteous man is that he scatters
abroad what he possesses, he gives to the poor and needy, and thus he
continues in righteousness for ever and... [ Continue Reading ]
And he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply
and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your
righteousness, you being enriched in everything unto all liberality,
which works through us thanksgiving to God.'
And the consequence will be that the One Who on... [ Continue Reading ]
‘For the ministration of this service not only fills up the measure
of the needs of the saints, but abounds also through many
thanksgivings to God.'
For that is what the carrying out of such service as a ministry
achieves. It not only supplies the physical needs of God's people, but
results in abou... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Seeing that through the proving (or ‘approval') of you by this
ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to
the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution
(‘contribution in fellowship' - koinonia) to them and to all, while
they themselves also, with suppl... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.'
And what is it that achieves all this? It is God's unspeakable gift of
His Son, a gift beyond describing, Who through the sacrifice of
Himself made all this possible. How great then are the thanks that are
due to Him. Through Him He is achieving more tha... [ Continue Reading ]