2 Corinthians 9:1

Observe here, The holy art and skill of this wise and great apostle, in promoting forward, and putting on these Corinthians to, this work of pious charity: he insinuates their present forwardness, to provoke them to farther forwardness; he tells them, it was superfluous for him to use farther arguments with them; for their forwardness was known unto him, and boasted of by him, to the Mascedonians, that the Christians in Achaia (of which Corinth was the chief city) had made. proposal to supply the poor saints of Judea. year ago; and that their zeal therein had provoked very many to the like forwardness.

It is very happy, when the ministers of Christ find their people foreward and ready to every good work, to costly works of charity especially; yet it will be their wisdom, by commending their people for what they have done, to encourage them to do farther; not only for increasing their own reward, but for provoking many to do the like: I know the forwardness of your mind, and that your zeal hath provoked very many.