2 Corinthians 9:5

5. The threefold προ- is doubtless intentional: he insists that all must be ready before he arrives. Comp. 2 Corinthians 13:2 and the repetition of πᾶς in 2 Corinthians 9:8.

προεπηγγελμένην. Afore-promised (R.V.); ‘announced beforehand by the Apostle to the Macedonians,’ or perhaps simply ‘promised long ago.’

εὐλογίαν. This also is a word which has gone through various phases. It is used, 1. of praise to God (Revelation 7:12), and to men, whether bestowed by God (Galatians 3:14; Romans 15:29) or by men (Hebrews 12:17): 2. of the invocation of blessings (Hebrews 12:17; James 3:10): 3. of a concrete blessing or benefit (Hebrews 6:7; 1 Peter 3:9): 4. of a benefit or gift bestowed by men; which is the meaning here. Comp. Genesis 33:11; Joshua 15:19; Judges 1:15; 1 Samuel 25:27; Ezekiel 34:26. See Westcott on Hebrews 7:1. Gifts are a blessing both to those who give (Acts 20:35) and to those who receive. It is the latter aspect which is indicated here: Corinthian bounty will be a blessing to Palestinian need.

ὡς εὐλογίαν καὶ μὴ ὡς πλεονεξίαν. ‘Give in a generous spirit, and not in a covetous one, keeping back all you can.’ The R.V. substitutes ‘matter of extortion’ for ‘matter of covetousness’ (A.V.), and thus makes εὐλογία refer to the Corinthians, and πλεονεξία to himself and his colleagues, as if they were putting pressure on the Corinthians. But both φειδομένως and ἐπʼ εὐλογίαις in 2 Corinthians 9:6 refer to the Corinthians, and φειδομένως is evidently synonymous with ὡς πλεονεξίαν. To give less than one ought to the needy is to disregard the claims of others and have too much oneself; and this is exactly πλεονεξία. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:5; Ephesians 4:19; Ephesians 5:3; and see Lightfoot on Colossians 3:5 and Romans 1:9. Avaritia enim vocatur datio, quae fit tenaci et parco ac tristi animo; benedictio autem, quae fit largo et alacri animo (Herveius Burgidol).