A Commentary of the Book of 2 Corinthians
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: King James Version
Bible Study 2 Corinthians 9: 1-16
Text:
9 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2 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. 3 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: 4 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. 5 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.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 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: 9 (as it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 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;) 11 being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 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; 14 and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:”
This refers to the collection being organized to support the saints in Jerusalem.
Verse 2: “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.”
Paul intended to remind the Corinthians of their initial enthusiasm and preparation for the offering project. Their progress had been disrupted by the deceptive claims of false teachers, who suggested Paul was acting out of financial greed. While Macedonia was situated in northern Greece, Achaia was a southern province where the city of Corinth was found.
Verse 3: “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:”
Paul wants to provide the Corinthians with enough advance notice so they are prepared and not overwhelmed by sudden requests upon his arrival. If we wish to encourage others to do what is right, we should approach them with care and wisdom, allowing them sufficient time to act.
Verse 4: “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.”
Paul further clarifies that if any Macedonians were to accompany him and discover the Corinthians were not ready, he—not to mention the Corinthians themselves—would be deeply embarrassed by his previous bold praise of them.
Verse 5: “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.“
Initially, upon learning of the financial need, the Corinthians had surely pledged to Paul that they would collect a significant sum. The term "covetousness" signifies a greedy desire to acquire and retain more at the cost of others. Such a mindset, rooted in selfishness and pride, can severely hinder the act of giving; while typical for non-believers, it is unbecoming of those who profess faith.
Verse 6: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
Paul employs an agricultural analogy here: just as a farmer who sows seed liberally gathers a plentiful harvest while a meager planting results in a small yield, the same principle applies spiritually. Generous giving leads to an abundant reaping for the kingdom of God. Resources given are not truly lost but are instead sown like seeds. Although God might occasionally grant material or physical prosperity to those who give, such a result is not the standard pattern or promise established in the New Testament.
Verse 7: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
The expression “purposeth” is unique to this New Testament passage, signifying a deliberate and pre-planned course of action performed willingly from the heart rather than by impulse. This reflects a long-standing biblical tenet of stewardship. In contrast, giving “grudgingly” literally translates to doing so “with grief,” “sorrow,” or “sadness”. It describes a state of reluctance or regret where giving feels like a somber burden of duty rather than a joyful act. Furthermore, “of necessity” implies a sense of “compulsion,” often stemming from legalism or outside coercion. Christians are encouraged to give independently of external pressures or rigid, arbitrary mandates.
The phrase “God loveth a cheerful giver” highlights the specific affection He has for those who give with a happy and committed heart. Interestingly, the Greek origin for “cheerful” is the root of the English word “hilarious,” implying that God takes delight in a spirit that is genuinely excited by the opportunity to be generous.
Verse 8: “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:”
God bestows His infinite grace without reserve. In this context, "grace" signifies material and financial provision rather than spiritual gifts. When a believer practices wise and generous stewardship of their resources, God graciously restores those assets, ensuring they remain well-supplied and free from lack.
The concept of "all sufficiency" was rooted in secular Greek philosophy as a form of self-reliant contentment believed to be the source of true happiness. Paul sanctifies this term, teaching that it is God, rather than human effort, who provides all that is necessary for genuine fulfillment and peace.
Furthermore, the phrase "may abound to every good work" indicates that God provides abundantly to cheerful givers not for the fulfillment of selfish or trivial whims, but to empower them to address the diverse needs of others.
Verse 9: “(as it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.”
Drawing from Psalm 112: 9, Paul utilizes Old Testament scripture to reinforce the divine tenets of generosity he has outlined. These principles demonstrate that God sustains and honors the virtuous giver throughout their earthly life and into eternity.
Verse 10: “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;)”
To provide further scriptural backing from the Old Testament, Paul referenced Isaiah 55:10. The same Creator who faithfully provides for the physical requirements of all His creatures and shows kindness to all humanity demonstrates a special grace toward His own children. He consistently honors His commitment to restore the resources of those who give generously. The expression "fruits of your righteousness" denotes the various blessings, both in this life and the next, that God bestows upon those who give with a joyful heart.
Verse 11: “ being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.”
Those who give are “enriched in every thing to all bountifulness” in the end. They become substantial gainers rather than experiencing any kind of deprivation. Crucially, acts of charity do not exhaust our wealth; rather, they provide the authentic path to true prosperity and enrichment.
Verse 12: “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;”
Paul characterized the collection effort as a spiritual and worshipful endeavor intended to bring glory to God, using the term "administration" (or "service"), a priestly word linked to the concept of "liturgy". The use of an intense Greek term for "supplieth" suggests a "full and complete supplying," highlighting the dire circumstances of the Jerusalem church. The congregation there faced significant hardship; many were pilgrims who stayed in the city following their conversion at Pentecost without financial resources, while others likely lost employment due to the persecution following Stephen's martyrdom. Despite these challenges, the Corinthians possessed the wealth necessary to address this immense need through their generous contributions.
Verse 13: “ 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;”
Authentic Christianity involves a deliberate submission to the gospel, where we allow its laws and truths to direct our lives. To demonstrate the genuineness of this commitment, we should engage in charitable acts. Such works not only honor our faith but also bring praise and glory to God.
Verse 14: “and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.”
Generosity of this kind ensures that essential needs are fulfilled while simultaneously offering gratitude to God. Furthermore, the prayers offered by the recipients on behalf of those who gave serve as a significant blessing.
Verse 15: “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
Our own acts of charity serve as a modest reflection of the magnificent generosity God has shown us, most notably through the "unspeakable gift" of His Son.
