2 Cor. 9 2 Cor. 9:1–5 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 Cor.

I should think the particle γαρ, here translated for, had been better translated but, as in 1 Pet. 4:15, 2 Pet. 1:9, our translators do render it. So these words contain an elegant revocation of himself from the argument he had dwelt upon in the whole former chapter, and the sense amounts to this:…

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 Cor.

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;…

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…

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; προκαταρτισωσι, 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 gathered.

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…

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…

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.

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 Ps. 112:9, where also is further added, his horn shall be exalted with honour.

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.

The word here translated bountifulness, signifies simplicity, in opposition to deceit and fraud. We had it before, 2 Cor. 8:2, Rom. 12:8, James 1:5, God is said to give απλως, simply (we translate it liberally).

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.

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…

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…

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.