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Commentary
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 2 Corinthians Chapter 9 Continuing on, Paul doesn't need to relate the reasons concerning the collection. (v1) For Paul has boasted to the macedonians that those in Achaia (including Corinth) were ready to give a year ago, such was the dire need of the saints in Jerusalem. (v2) Their graceful gifts provoking many to do likewise. Paul has sent those three brethren to collect their gifts and to do so with this epistle encouraging the amount; so Paul would not be boasting of them in vain. (v3) He instructs that he has sent the three ahead so that the collection might be prepared ready; (if those from Macedonia arrive with Paul and they find the collection not made, or made only in part (v4) Paul would be ashamed of his own boast that they'd been ready a year before.) Therefore Paul forewarns them with the sending of Titus with this epistle so that they be ready. (v5) Ready also with gifts given out of bounty with a prepared weekly set aside donation; continually joyful in giving, and as from a willing mind so as not to be coveted as over a gift given causing lack. He advises them to give plentifully then, (v6) (as God has given His grace plentifully), out of liberty and cheerfulness. (v7) God is able to repay obedience and brotherly love with further blessings of grace, because the willing believer is predisposed by the Spirit to good works. (v8) For God has spread out his own wealth by grace to those sinners in dire need of forgiveness, and preserved His righteousness for His own glory. (v9) Paul asserts that giving from the saints to apostles has a twofold effect; first the apostle ministers to them for their benefit, and they that are unable to commit themselves to travel and preaching as an apostle get a dispensation of the increase of the gospel commended to them by their part in its spread. (v10) If God is able to reward 'giving' with more grace through the Holy Spirit, then by its ministering they not only are moved towards good works, but show themselves approved in every thing done in the gospel from their support; through those that accomplish the act of preaching the gospel. That is cause for thanks from those that preach. (v11) But is mainly cause for many to be thankful that they have a part in the spreading of the gospel. The collection from the fellowship not only supplies the saints with food etc; but also is returned with the grateful thanks of the many there at Jerusalem. (v12) Thanks repaid in kind with prayers for grace to the giving. In the extended testing (of grace in substance) of the bounty of collection (from the liberty of those ministered the gospel repaying spiritual with carnal) those at Jerusalem praise God before all; for both the shown readiness in the gospel to their needs as well as for the money itself; given in great substance. In reciprocation they pray earnestly for much grace to be shown those from whom the collection was made, so they might abound in thanksgiving also. (v14) Paul thanks God for His unspeakable gift; was it the collection? I rather it be the connecting gift between rewarding gracious giving with grace from God that credits someone else's good works - reciprocating them to the giver to enable them to thank God as like performer of that ministry; when those works are done by him to whom the gift was given. (v15) In that way, the giver is thankful also and not just the given. In that fashion, the monetary collection is cause for thanks from the giver, and the receipt of it is not as great a cause of thanks as is the gift by answer of prayer for a recompense of God's grace towards the giver, requested of God by the given. Then are both thankful, in like kind; and neither as thankful in receipt of each other's grace as in the receipt from God Himself by His own grace. |
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