King James Version
2 Corinthians 9
15 verses with commentary
The Cheerful Giver
For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For as touching the ministering to the saints</strong> (περὶ τῆς διακονίας τῆς εἰς τοὺς ἁγίους)—Paul's phrase <em>diakonia</em> (διακονία, "service/ministry") elevates financial giving to sacred ministry. This isn't mere charity but covenant solidarity with Jerusalem believers suffering poverty (Acts 11:28-30). The phrase <strong>it is superfluous for me to write</strong> employs rhetorica...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
IX.
(1) **For as touching . . .**—The division of chapters in the English version, unfortunately, gives the impression of the introduction of a new subject. In reality there is no new topic, and all flows on with unbroken continuity. This is part of the appeal to their self-respect begun in 2Corinthians 8:23-24. “You will pardon,” he practically says, “my words of counsel as to the necessity of pr...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23. The grace, &c.--**This is the salutation meant in 1Co 16:21; and from which unbelievers (1Co 16:22; compare 2Jo 10:11) are excluded [Bengel].
For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For I know the forwardness of your mind</strong> (οἶδα γὰρ τὴν προθυμίαν ὑμῶν)—The noun <em>prothymia</em> (προθυμία) means "eagerness, readiness, willingness" with connotations of premeditated intention. Paul knew their initial enthusiasm when the collection began. <strong>For which I boast of you to them of Macedonia</strong> reveals Paul's strategy: he told impoverished Macedonians (2 C...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **For I know the forwardness** **of your mind.**—This was the boast to which he had referred in 2Corinthians 8:24. Achaia (*i.e.,* Corinth, and perhaps Cenchreæ also) had been ready *last year.* The urgency of his present appeal indicates a latent misgiving whether he had not unconsciously over-stated the fact, and had mistaken the “will” that had shown itself for an actual readiness to send o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**24. My love, &c.--**After having administered some severe rebukes, he closes with expressions of "love": his very rebukes were prompted by love, and therefore are altogether in harmony with the profession of love here made: it was love in Christ Jesus, and therefore embraced "all" who loved Him.
The subscription represents the Epistle as written from Philippi. 1Co 16:8 shows it was writte...
Read full commentary →Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Yet have I sent the brethren</strong>—Paul dispatches a delegation (likely Titus and two unnamed brothers, 8:16-24) to ensure practical completion. The conjunction "yet" (<em>de</em>, δέ) introduces contrast: despite their readiness, action is needed. <strong>Lest our boasting of you should be in vain</strong> (ἵνα μὴ τὸ καύχημα ἡμῶν τὸ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν κενωθῇ) uses <em>kenoō</em> (κενόω), "be em...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Yet have I sent** **the brethren . . .**—This, then, was his purpose in the new mission. He wanted the performance not to fall short of the promise. They must be found ready, their money collected. (Comp. 1Corinthians 16:2.)
**In this behalf.**—Perhaps, *in* *this particular,* or, *in this respect,* would be more in harmony with modern English phraseology.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS
Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me</strong>—Paul plans to travel with Macedonian delegates who will witness Corinth's response. <strong>And find you unprepared</strong> (εὕρωμεν ὑμᾶς ἀπαρασκευάστους) uses the negated form of the readiness word from v. 2-3: from <em>paraskeuazō</em> (prepared) to <em>aparaskeuastos</em> (unprepared). The irony is stark: those Paul praised for read...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Lest haply if they of Macedonia . . .**—The Greek for “Macedonians” has no article, and the word is meant to stir up something like an *esprit de corps.* “Surely you Achaians won’t allow Macedonians to come and see that you fall short of what I told them about?” It is a probable, but not, as some have thought, a necessary inference, that neither of the two unnamed brethren of 2Corinthians 8:...
Read full commentary →Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. bounty: Gr. blessing whereof: or, which hath been so much spoken of before
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren</strong>—The verb <em>parakaleō</em> (παρακαλέω, "exhort/encourage") appears throughout 2 Corinthians (1:4, 6; 2:8; 7:6) describing both divine comfort and apostolic appeal. <strong>That they would go before unto you</strong> (ἵνα προέλθωσιν εἰς ὑμᾶς) uses <em>proerchomai</em>, "go ahead/precede," giving Corinthians time to prepare be...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Therefore I thought it necessary . . .**—The brethren were to go before St. Paul, so as to get all things ready for his arrival. There were to be no hurried and unsatisfactory collections then.
**Your bounty, whereof ye had notice before.**—Better, *your bounty, announced before.* He is not referring to any notice that he had given, whether in 1Corinthians 16:1-2 or elsewhere, but to the ann...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
INTRODUCTION
The following reasons seem to have induced Paul to write this Second Epistle to the Corinthians: (1) That he might explain the reasons for his having deferred to pay them his promised visit, by taking Corinth as his way to Macedonia (1Co 4:19; 2Co 1:15, 16; compare 1Co 16:5); and so that he might set forth to them his apostolic walk in general (2Co 1:12, 24; 6:3-13; 7:2). (2) That h...
Read full commentary →The Blessings of Generosity
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully .
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly</strong> (ὁ σπείρων φειδομένως φειδομένως καὶ θερίσει)—The agricultural metaphor of <em>speirō</em> (σπείρω, "sow seed") and <em>therizō</em> (θερίζω, "reap harvest") establishes a spiritual law: generosity generates abundance. The adverb <em>pheidomenos</em> (φειδομένως, "sparingly, stingily") appears twice, emphasizing t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **He which, soweth sparingly . . .**—It is interesting to note the occurrence of this thought in another Epistle of this period (Galatians 6:7-8).
**He which soweth bountifully . . .**—Literally, repeating the word before used, *he which soweth in blessings.* The obvious meaning of the passage is that a man “reaps,” *i.e.,* gains, the reward of God’s favour and inward satisfaction, not accordi...
Read full commentary →Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly , or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Every man according as he purposeth in his heart</strong> (ἕκαστος καθὼς προῄρηται τῇ καρδίᾳ)—The verb <em>proaireō</em> (προαιρέω) means "choose beforehand, decide in advance." Giving should be deliberate, premeditated, not impulsive. The <strong>heart</strong> (<em>kardia</em>, καρδία) represents the seat of will and affection, not mere emotion. God desires giving that flows from transfo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Every man according as he purposeth.**—The verb, which does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, is used in its full ethical significance as indicating, not a passing impulse nor a vague wish, but a deliberate resolve, deciding both on the end and on the means for its attainment (Aristotle, *Eth. Nicom.* iii., c. 2). Such, St. Paul teaches, should be the purpose of the giver—not the out...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
3. This thanksgiving for his late deliverance forms a suitable introduction for conciliating their favorable reception of his reasons for not having fulfilled his promise of visiting them (2Co 1:15-24).
**Father of mercies--**that is, the SOURCE of all mercies (compare Jas 1:17; Ro 12:1).
**comfort--**which flows from His "mercies" experienced. Like a true man of faith, he mentions "mercies" a...
Read full commentary →And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And God is able</strong> (δυνατεῖ δὲ ὁ θεός)—The verb <em>dynateō</em> (δυνατέω, "is powerful, able") assures anxious givers that generosity never outstrips God's provision. This addresses the fear beneath stinginess: "If I give, will I have enough?" <strong>To make all grace abound toward you</strong> (πᾶσαν χάριν περισσεῦσαι εἰς ὑμᾶς) uses <em>perisseuō</em> (περισσεύω, "overflow, exceed...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **God is able to make all grace abound toward you.**—The word “grace” must be taken with somewhat of the same latitude as in 2Corinthians 8:6-7; 2Corinthians 8:19, including *every form of bounty,* as well as “grace,” in its restricted theological sense: the means of giving, as well as cheerfulness in the act. He will bless the increase of those who give cheerfully, that they may have, not ind...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. us--**idiomatic for me (1Th 2:18).
**that we may ... comfort them which are in any trouble--**Translate, as the Greek is the same as before, "tribulation." The apostle lived, not to himself, but to the Church; so, whatever graces God conferred on him, he considered granted not for himself alone, but that he might have the greater ability to help others [Calvin]. So participation in all the ...
Read full commentary →(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor</strong> (ἐσκόρπισεν, ἔδωκεν τοῖς πένησιν)—Paul quotes Psalm 112:9, describing the righteous person. <em>Skorpizō</em> (σκορπίζω, "scatter, disperse") pictures seed broadcast widely, not hoarded. The perfect tense indicates completed action with continuing results: past generosity bears ongoing fruit. <strong>The poor</...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad.**—The words are quoted from the LXX. version of Psalm 112:9. At first it might almost seem as if they were quoted in a different sense from the original, and applied, not to the giver of alms, but to God as the giver of all good, dispersing His bounty and showing His righteousness. There are, however, sufficient grounds for taking them in their tru...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. sufferings--**standing in contrast with "salvation" (2Co 1:6); as "tribulation" (distress of mind), with comfort or "consolation."
**of Christ--**Compare Col 1:24. The sufferings endured, whether by Himself, or by His Church, with which He considers Himself identified (Mt 25:40, 45; Ac 9:4; 1Jo 4:17-21). Christ calls His people's sufferings His own suffering: (1) because of the sympathy and...
Read full commentary →Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food</strong> (ὁ δὲ ἐπιχορηγῶν σπόρον τῷ σπείροντι καὶ ἄρτον εἰς βρῶσιν χορηγήσει)—The verb <em>epichorēgeō</em> (ἐπιχορηγέω, "supply, provide abundantly") appears twice in different forms. God supplies both <strong>seed</strong> (<em>sporos</em>, σπόρος) for planting and <strong>bread</strong> (<em>artos</em>, ἄρτος) f...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Now he that ministereth seed to the sower.**—Better, *he that giveth bounteously.* The Greek verb (*epichorêgein*) has a somewhat interesting history. Originally it expressed the act of one who undertook to defray the expenses of the chorus of a Greek theatre. As this was an act of somewhat stately generosity, the verb got a wider range, and was applied to any such act, and was so transferr...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. we ... afflicted ... for your consolation--**exemplifying the communion of saints. Their hearts were, so to speak, mirrors reflecting the likenesses of each other (Php 2:26, 27) [Bengel]. Alike the afflictions and the consolations of the apostle tend, as in him so in them, as having communion with him, to their consolation (2Co 1:4; 4:15). The Greek for "afflicted" is the same as before, and ...
Read full commentary →Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. bountifulness: or, liberality: Gr. simplicity
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness</strong> (ἐν παντὶ πλουτιζόμενοι εἰς πᾶσαν ἁπλότητα)—The verb <em>ploutizō</em> (πλουτίζω, "make rich, enrich") appears in present passive participle: "being continually enriched by God." Wealth comes from God, not personal cleverness. <em>Haplotēs</em> (ἁπλότης, "simplicity, generosity, liberality") carries connotations of single-minded d...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Being enriched in every thing.**—The context points primarily to temporal abundance, but we can scarcely think that the other thought of the spiritual riches that are found in Christ (2Corinthians 8:9) was absent from the Apostle’s mind. On the word for “bountifulness” see Note on 2Corinthians 8:2. The participles are not grammatically connected with the preceding sentence, but the meaning ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. so shall ye be--**rather, "So are ye." He means, there is a community of consolation, as of suffering, between me and you.
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For the administration of this service</strong> (ἡ διακονία τῆς λειτουργίας ταύτης)—Paul uses two ministry words: <em>diakonia</em> (διακονία, "service/ministry") and <em>leitourgia</em> (λειτουργία, "public service/priestly ministry"). <em>Leitourgia</em> originally described civic service wealthy citizens performed for the state but came to mean priestly service in the temple (Luke 1:23,...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **For the administration of this service.**—The latter word (*leitourgia*) has, like that for “ministering” in 2Corinthians 9:10, an interesting history. In classical Greek it stands for any public service rendered to the State. In the LXX. version it, and its cognate verb and adjective, are used almost exclusively of the ritual and sacrificial services of the Tabernacle and the Temple, as, *...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-9. Referring to the imminent risk of life which he ran in Ephesus (Ac 19:23-41) when the whole multitude were wrought up to fury by Demetrius, on the plea of Paul and his associates having assailed the religion of Diana of Ephesus. The words (2Co 1:9), "we had the sentence of death in ourselves," mean, that he looked upon himself as a man condemned to die [Paley]. Alford thinks the danger at Eph...
Read full commentary →Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Whiles by the experiment of this ministration</strong> (διὰ τῆς δοκιμῆς τῆς διακονίας ταύτης)—<em>dokimē</em> (δοκιμή, "proof, testing, approved character") indicates this service provides evidence of genuine faith. The Jerusalem believers will see proof of Gentile conversion through tangible generosity. Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26); costly giving validates profession. <stro...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God.**—The construction of the Greek sentence is again that of a participle which has no direct grammatical connection with what precedes, but the English version sufficiently expresses the meaning. *Test* would, perhaps, be a better word than “experiment.” The word is the same as that rendered, with a needless variation, “experienc...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-9. Referring to the imminent risk of life which he ran in Ephesus (Ac 19:23-41) when the whole multitude were wrought up to fury by Demetrius, on the plea of Paul and his associates having assailed the religion of Diana of Ephesus. The words (2Co 1:9), "we had the sentence of death in ourselves," mean, that he looked upon himself as a man condemned to die [Paley]. Alford thinks the danger at Eph...
Read full commentary →And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And by their prayer for you</strong> (καὶ αὐτῶν δεήσει ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν)—<em>deēsis</em> (δέησις, "prayer, petition, supplication") indicates earnest, specific intercession. Generosity creates prayer partnership: recipients intercede for givers. This reverses typical patronage where clients flatter patrons seeking favor. Here, spiritual benefit flows to givers through recipients' prayers—blessed ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **And by their prayer for you, which long after you.**—The structure of the Greek is again ungrammatical, but the following gives a somewhat more accurate representation: *And while they long after you, in supplication for you, on account of the exceeding grace of God that rests on you.* He seems half lost in his anticipations of what will follow when he hands over the contributions of the Ge...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. doth deliver--**The oldest manuscripts read, "will deliver," namely, as regards immediately imminent dangers. "In whom we trust that He will also (so the Greek) yet deliver us," refers to the continuance of God's delivering help hereafter.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift</strong> (Χάρις τῷ θεῷ ἐπὶ τῇ ἀνεκδιηγήτῳ αὐτοῦ δωρεᾷ)—This sudden doxology climaxes the entire passage. <em>Charis</em> (Χάρις) means both "grace" and "thanks"—deliberately ambiguous. God's grace evokes thanksgiving. <strong>Unspeakable</strong> (<em>anekdiēgētos</em>, ἀνεκδιήγητος, "indescribable, inexpressible") appears only here in the New Te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.**—So the section on the collection for the saints comes to its close. We are left to conjecture to what gift the Apostle refers: whether to the love of God as manifested in Christ, or to the spirit of love poured into men’s hearts. The use of the word in the Acts (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:20; Acts 10:45; Acts 11:17) is in favour of referring it to the g...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. helping together by prayer for us--**rather, "helping together on our behalf by your supplication"; the words "for us" in the Greek following "helping together," not "prayer."
**that for the gift, &c.--**literally, "That on the part of many persons the gift (literally, 'gift of grace'; the mercy) bestowed upon us by means of (that is, through the prayers of) many may be offered thanks ...
Read full commentary →