2 Corinthians 9:1

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. Anythingwhich conveyed God's good gifts from one member of the Church to another, was in the Apostle's eyes a ministry, a diaconate, for the words rendered minister, ministry, are in Greek διάκονος, διακονία. See also note on 2 Corinthians 9:12 and on ch. 2 Corinthians 8:4.

it is superfluous for me to write to you "Observe the tender wisdom of this proceeding. The charity which finds us unprepared is a call as hateful as that of any creditor whom it is hard to pay. St Paul knew this well; therefore he gave timely notice." Robertson. It was unnecessary to write to them about the collection itself. It was not unnecessary to remind them as a matter of Christian prudence that they must not allow themselves to be taken unawares, lest the amount of their bounty should hardly correspond to what men had a reason to expect Cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2. Calvin, however, thinks that the Apostle wavered between confidence and anxiety. He knew their readiness, but he feared the instability of human nature.