9 The Collection for the poor Saints at Jerusalem The somewhat abrupt commencement of this chapter is explained by a reference to 1 Corinthians 16. See notes there (and also Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25-27). The plain directions there given by the Apostle render it unnecessary for him to enter into any... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Corinthians 9:1. _For_ i.e. I am not writing to you about the ministry to the saints, for that is unnecessary. I am writing about your reception of the brethren, and your being ready when they come. See 2 Corinthians 9:3. _the ministering_ Literally, THE MINISTRY. See note on ch. 2 Corinthians 3:3... [ Continue Reading ]
_for I know the forwardness of your mind_ Rather, READINESS (_your redynesse of minde_. Tyndale). See note on ch. 2 Corinthians 8:12. And therefore I need not write about the collection. _I boast_ The Apostle, then, says Bengel, was already in Macedonia. _Achaia_ See note on ch. 2 Corinthians 1:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet have I sent_ Although instructions to make the collection were needless, it was not needless for me to send the brethren. See note on 2 Corinthians 9:1. For _I have sent_, the Greek has _I sent_. But see notes on ch. 2 Corinthians 8:18; 2 Corinthians 8:22, and Introduction. _our boasting_ Liter... [ Continue Reading ]
_lest haply_ The earlier editions have _happily_(_paraventure_, Tyndale), with the same meaning as in the text. _they of Macedonia_ We should rather say in English ANY MACEDONIANS. From this it has been inferred that the brethren sent previously were not Macedonians. See ch. 2 Corinthians 8:17-24.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the brethren_ i.e. those mentioned in the last chapter. _go before_ i.e. before the Apostle. _your bounty, whereof ye had notice before_ Rather, according to the best MSS., -your PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED bounty," i.e. either (1) announced by me to the Macedonian Churches; or (2) generally, promised be... [ Continue Reading ]
_He which soweth sparingly_ "He calls it sowing," says Chrysostom, "in order that we may learn by the figure of the harvest that in giving we receive more than we give." Cf. Galatians 6:7-9; also Proverbs 11:18. _bountifully_ Literally, WITH BLESSINGS (_in benedictionibus_, Vulg.). In both cases th... [ Continue Reading ]
_purposeth_ The word, as used in Aristotle, denotes _deliberate choice_, without any constraint of any kind, as well as free from the impulse of the passions. _grudgingly_ Literally, FROM SORROW, i.e. out of a sorrowful or unwilling heart. Cf. Exodus 25:2; Deuteronomy 15:10. _cheerful giver_ Cf. R... [ Continue Reading ]
_all grace_ See notes on _grace_elsewhere, esp. ch. 2 Corinthians 8:6 and 2 Corinthians 9:15 of this chapter; also cf. 1 Corinthians 16:3. The meaning here is -God is able to make every gift of His loving-kindness to abound to you, that you, being thus enriched, may impart of His bounty to others.... [ Continue Reading ]
_as it is written_ In Psalms 112:9. _the poor_ The word here is the usual one in Classical Greek. See notes on ch. 2 Corinthians 8:9. _his righteousness remaineth for ever_ As this passage is simply quoted from the O. T., it seems unfair to build any theological argument upon it, especially as on... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now he that ministereth_ The word used twice in this verse has the original signification of _leading a chorus_. Hence it came to mean to _defray the expenses_of a chorus, since when a wealthy man was appointed to any office of importance in his city, it was usual for him to provide festal displays... [ Continue Reading ]
_bountifulness (symplenesse_, Wiclif; _syngleness_, Tyndale). The Greek word here is the same as in ch. 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 8:2, where see notes. The word -bountifulness" was first introduced by our translators, who however have _liberality_in the margin. _which_ i.e. the -bountifulne... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the administration of this service_ Literally, FOR THE MINISTRY (see note on 2 Corinthians 9:1) OF THIS PUBLIC SERVICE (_the mynysterie of this public office_, Wiclif; _the office of this ministration_, Tyndale). The word translated _service_means any public work. "The λειτουργοὶ," says Potter... [ Continue Reading ]
_experiment_ Rather, PROOF (_probatio_, Vulg.), i.e. the proof afforded by the conduct of the Corinthians that they were Christians, not in name only, but in deed. See ch. 2 Corinthians 2:9 2 Corinthians 8:2; 2 Corinthians 8:8. _glorify_ Cf. Matthew 5:16; Joh 15:8; 1 Peter 2:12. _your professed sub... [ Continue Reading ]
_and by their prayer for you, which long after you_ The construction in the Greek is somewhat obscure. Some would render (1) as A. V., and regard this verse also as depending upon the word _glorify_. Others suppose (2) that St Paul has abruptly changed the construction, and would render _they themse... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thanks_ The word is the same which is elsewhere translated _grace_. _for his unspeakable gift_ This, as Dean Alford suggests (after Chrysostom), can be none other than Jesus Christ Himself. No other gift could correspond to the word -unspeakable," which suggests (like Romans 11:33; Ephesians 3:18-1... [ Continue Reading ]