OLBGrk; 2 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 9 2 CORINTHIANS 9:1 Paul showeth the reason why, though he knew the forwardness of the Corinthians, he had sent the brethren before hand to make up their collections against his coming. 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 He stirreth them up to give bountifully and cheerfully, as a likel... [ Continue Reading ]
He gives them the reason why he judgeth it superfluous to write to them, because they had a forward mind of themselves, and needed not to be spurred on. This the apostle tells them that he knew, (he had told them of it, 2 CORINTHIANS 8:10), he knew it either from themselves, or from some that came f... [ Continue Reading ]
I did not send the brethren so much to move you to this work, or quicken you to it, for you yourselves purposed it a year ago, and showed a forwardness in it; the motion proceeded from yourselves, and you showed a readiness to it, which gave me occasion to boast of you to the churches of Macedonia;... [ Continue Reading ]
For if I should come, and any of the members of the churches of Macedonia, who have heard me boasting of you as a people very forward in this charitable work, and when they are come they should find you had done nothing, only talked much of your readiness, both I should be ashamed, and you also migh... [ Continue Reading ]
OLBGrk;OLBHeb; This was the cause why I judged it reasonable to send the three brethren, before mentioned, unto you, that they might make up your bounty; prokatartiswsi, not so much to move, quicken, or exhort you to it, as to hasten the despatch and perfecting of it, that your money might be ready... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereas covetous persons think all lost which they give to charitable uses, the apostle correcteth their mistake, by letting them know, that it is no more lost than the seed is which the husbandman casteth into his ground, which bringeth forth thirty, sixty, or sometimes a hundred-fold; though with... [ Continue Reading ]
Let not any give out of any awe of us, nor as it were forced by our authority, but as God shall put it into his heart, and as he hath purposed in himself, and is inclined from himself, without any grudging or unwillingness; not because he thinks he must give, but out of choice: for God loveth one th... [ Continue Reading ]
Having made God, in the verse before, a debtor to those who, by giving to poor distressed saints, would make him their creditor, he here proveth him to be no insolvent debtor, but able to do much more for them, than they in this thing should do at his command out of love to him. He IS (saith he) ABL... [ Continue Reading ]
As in the former verse the apostle had asserted God's sufficiency to repay them what they should lend him. So he here asserteth God's readiness and willingness. This he confirmeth from a promise taken out of PSALMS 112:9, where also is further added, _his horn shall be exalted with honour._ Concerni... [ Continue Reading ]
The God, whose providence and blessing maketh rich, and who giveth this seed to the sower, supply you with whatsoever you stand in need of for this life, and give you a heart to multiply that spiritual seed, by which the fruits of your righteousness shall be increased. Some Greek copies read these w... [ Continue Reading ]
OLBGrk; The word here translated _bountifulness, _ signifies simplicity, in opposition to deceit and fraud. We had it before, 2 CORINTHIANS 8:2; so ROMANS 12:8: so, JAMES 1:5, God is said to give aplwv, simply (we translate it _liberally_). We have in these two Chapter s met with three words, by whi... [ Continue Reading ]
No than ought to live to himself; the two great ends of every Christian's life ought to be, the glory of God, and the good of others, especially such as belong to the household of faith. This service (saith the apostle) serveth both those ends: 1. It supplieth the neccessities of the saints; and:... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILES BY THE EXPERIMENT OF THIS MINISTRATION, upon their receiving of what you sent them, THEY GLORIFY GOD FOR YOUR PROFESSED SUBJECTION UNTO THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST; they will see how ready you are to obey the gospel of Christ, (which hath in so many places called you to this duty), and this will giv... [ Continue Reading ]
Another way by which the glory of God will be promoted, by your simple, free, and liberal contribution, is, that by this he will have more prayers, which also will redound to your advantage, for it will procure prayers for you; and not prayers only, but a great deal of fervent love; so as they will... [ Continue Reading ]
Interpreters are not agreed what the apostle here meaneth by God's UNSPEAKABLE GIFT. Some by it understand Christ, who is _the gift of God, _ and the Fountain of all grace; and to this the epithet _unspeakable_ doth best agree. Others understand the gospel, by which the hearts of men are subdued, ef... [ Continue Reading ]