2 Corinthians 9:3 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

3 Yet G1161 have I sent G3992 the brethren, G80 lest G3363 our G2257 boasting G2745 of G5228 you G5216 should be in vain G2758 in G1722 this G5129 behalf; G3313 that, G2443 as G2531 I said, G3004 ye may be G5600 ready: G3903

Cross Reference

1 Corinthians 16:1-4 STRONG

Now G1161 concerning G4012 the collection G3048 for G1519 the saints, G40 as G5618 I have given order G1299 to the churches G1577 of Galatia, G1053 even G2532 so G3779 do G4160 ye. G5210 Upon G2596 the first G3391 day of the week G4521 let G5087 every one G1538 of you G5216 lay G5087 by G3844 him G1438 in store, G2343 as G3748 G302 God hath prospered him, G2137 that G3363 there be G1096 no G3363 gatherings G3048 G5119 when G3752 I come. G2064 And G1161 when G3752 I come, G3854 whomsoever G3739 G1437 ye shall approve G1381 by G1223 your letters, G1992 them G5128 will I send G3992 to bring G667 your G5216 liberality G5485 unto G1519 Jerusalem. G2419 And G1161 if G1437 it be G5600 meet G514 that I go G4198 also, G2504 they shall go G4198 with G4862 me. G1698

2 Corinthians 8:17-24 STRONG

For G3754 indeed G3303 he accepted G1209 the exhortation; G3874 but G1161 being G5225 more forward, G4707 of his own accord G830 he went G1831 unto G4314 you. G5209 And G1161 we have sent G4842 with G3326 him G846 the brother, G80 whose G3739 praise G1868 is in G1722 the gospel G2098 throughout G1223 all G3956 the churches; G1577 And G1161 not G3756 that only, G3440 but G235 who was G5500 also G2532 chosen G5500 of G5259 the churches G1577 to travel G4898 with us G2257 with G4862 this G5026 grace, G5485 which G3588 is administered G1247 by G5259 us G2257 to G4314 the glory G1391 of the same G846 Lord, G2962 and G2532 declaration of your G5216 ready mind: G4288 Avoiding G4724 this, G5124 that no G3361 man G5100 should blame G3469 us G2248 in G1722 this G5026 abundance G100 which G3588 is administered G1247 by G5259 us: G2257 Providing G4306 for honest things, G2570 not G3756 only G3440 in the sight G1799 of the Lord, G2962 but G235 also G2532 in the sight G1799 of men. G444 And G1161 we have sent G4842 with them G846 our G2257 brother, G80 whom G3739 we have G1381 oftentimes G4178 proved G1381 G5607 diligent G4705 in G1722 many things, G4183 but G1161 now G3570 much G4183 more diligent, G4707 upon the great G4183 confidence G4006 which G3588 I have in G1519 you. G5209 Whether G1535 any do enquire of G5228 Titus, G5103 he is my G1699 partner G2844 and G2532 fellowhelper G4904 concerning G1519 you: G5209 or G1535 our G2257 brethren G80 be enquired of, they are the messengers G652 of the churches, G1577 and the glory G1391 of Christ. G5547 Wherefore G3767 shew ye G1731 to G1519 them, G846 and G2532 before G1519 G4383 the churches, G1577 the proof G1732 of your G5216 love, G26 and G2532 of our G2257 boasting G2746 on G5228 your G5216 behalf. G5228

2 Corinthians 9:4-5 STRONG

Lest G3381 haply G4458 if G1437 they of Macedonia G3110 come G2064 with G4862 me, G1698 and G2532 find G2147 you G5209 unprepared, G532 we G2249 (that G3363 we say G3004 not, G3363 ye) G5210 should be ashamed G2617 in G1722 this same G5026 confident G5287 boasting. G2746 Therefore G3767 I thought G2233 it necessary G316 to exhort G3870 the brethren, G80 that G2443 they would go before G4281 unto G1519 you, G5209 and G2532 make up beforehand G4294 your G5216 bounty, G2129 whereof ye had notice before, G4293 that the same G5026 might be G1511 ready, G2092 G3779 as G5613 a matter of bounty, G2129 and G2532 not G3361 as G5618 of covetousness. G4124

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 9

In this chapter the apostle seems to excuse his earnestness in pressing the Corinthians to the duty of charity (v. 1-5), and proceeds to give directions about the acceptable way and manner of performing it, namely, bountifully, deliberately, and freely; and gives good encouragement for so doing (v. 6-15).

2Cr 9:1-5

In these verses the apostle speaks very respectfully to the Corinthians, and with great skill; and, while he seems to excuse his urging them so earnestly to charity, still presses them thereto, and shows how much his heart was set upon this matter.

  • I. He tells them it was needless to press them with further arguments to afford relief to their poor brethren (v. 1), being satisfied he had said enough already to prevail with those of whom he had so good an opinion. For,
    • 1. He knew their forwardness to every good work, and how they had begun this good work a year ago, insomuch that,
    • 2. He had boasted of their zeal to the Macedonians, and this had provoked many of them to do as they had done. Wherefore he was persuaded, that, as they had begun well, they would go on well; and so, commending them for what they had done, he lays an obligation on them to proceed and persevere.
  • II. He seems to apologize for sending Titus and the other brethren to them. He is unwilling they should be offended at him for this, as if he were too earnest, and pressed too hard upon them; and tells the true reasons why he sent them, namely,
    • 1. That, having this timely notice, they might be fully ready (v. 3), and not surprised with hasty demands, when he should come to them. When we would have others to do that which is good we must act towards them prudently and tenderly, and give them time.
    • 2. That he might not be ashamed of his boasting concerning them, if they should be found unready, v. 3, 4. He intimates that some from Macedonia might haply come with him: and, if the collection should not then be made, this would make him, not to say them, ashamed, considering the boasting of the apostle concerning them. Thus careful was he to preserve their reputation and his own. Note, Christians should consult the reputation of their profession, and endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.

2Cr 9:6-15

Here we have,

  • I. Proper directions to be observed about the right and acceptable manner of bestowing charity; and it is of great concernment that we not only do what is required, but do it as is commanded. Now, as to the manner in which the apostle would have the Corinthians give, observe,
    • 1. It should be bountifully; this was intimated, v. 5, that a liberal contribution was expected, a matter of bounty, not what savoured of covetousness; and he offers to their consideration that men who expect a good return at harvest are not wont to pinch and spare in sowing their seed, for the return is usually proportionable to what they sow, v. 6.
    • 2. It should be deliberately Every man, according as he purposes in his heart, v. 7. Works of charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design; whereas some do good only by accident. They comply, it may be hastily, with the importunity of others, without any good design, and give more than they intended, and then repent of it afterwards. Or possibly, had they duly considered all things, they would have given more. Due deliberation, as to this matter of our own circumstances, and those of the persons we are about to relieve, will be very helpful to direct us how liberal we should be in our contributions for charitable uses.
    • 3. It should be freely, whatever we give, be it more or less: Not grudgingly, nor of necessity, but cheerfully, v. 7. Persons sometimes will give merely to satisfy the importunity of those who ask their charity, and what they give is in a manner squeezed or forced from them, and this unwillingness spoils all they do. We ought to give more freely than the modesty of some necessitous persons will allow them to ask: we should not only deal out bread, but draw out our souls to the hungry, Isa. 58:10. We should give liberally, with an open hand, and cheerfully, with an open countenance, being glad we have ability and an opportunity to be charitable.
  • II. Good encouragement to perform this work of charity in the manner directed. Here the apostle tells the Corinthians,
    • 1. They themselves would be no losers by what they gave in charity. This may serve to obviate a secret objection in the minds of many against this good work who are ready to think they may want what they give away; but such should consider that what is given to the poor in a right manner is far from being lost; as the precious seed which is cast into the ground is not lost, though it is buried there for a time, for it will spring up, and bear fruit; the sower shall receive it again with increase, v. 6. Such good returns may those expect who give freely and liberally in charity. For,
      • (1.) God loveth a cheerful giver (v. 7), and what may not those hope to receive who are the objects of the divine love? Can a man be a loser by doing that with which God is pleased? May not such a one be sure that he shall some way or other be a gainer? Nay, are not the love and favour of God better than all other things, better than life itself?
      • (2.) God is able to make our charity redound to our advantage, v. 8. We have no reason to distrust the goodness of God, and surely we have no reason to question his power; he is able to make all grace abound towards us, and abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and temporal good things. He can cause us to have a sufficiency in all things, to be content with what we have, to make up what we give, to be able to give yet more: as it is written (Ps. 112:9) concerning the charitable man, He hath dispersed abroad. He hath given to the poor. His righteousness, that is, his almsgiving, endureth for ever. The honour of it is lasting, the reward of it eternal, and he is still able to live comfortably himself and to give liberally to others.
      • (3.) The apostle puts up a prayer to God in their behalf that they might be gainers, and not losers, v. 10, 11. Here observe,
        • [1.] To whom the prayer is made-to God, who ministereth seed to the sower, who by his providence giveth such an increase of the fruits of the earth that we have not only bread sufficient to eat for one year, but enough to sow again for a future supply: or thus, It is God who giveth us not only a competency for ourselves, but that also wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and so should be as seed to be sown.
        • [2.] For what he prayeth. There are several things which he desires for them, namely, that they may have bread for their food, always a competency for themselves, food convenient,-that God will multiply their seed sown, that they may still be able to do more good,-and that there may be an increase of the fruits of righteousness, that they may reap plentifully, and have the best and most ample returns of their charity, so as to be enriched in every thing to all bountifulness (v. 11),-that upon the whole they may find it true that they shall be no losers, but great gainers. Note, Works of charity are so far from impoverishing us that they are the proper means truly to enrich us, or make us truly rich.
    • 2. While they would be no losers, the poor distressed saints would be gainers; for this service would supply their wants, v. 12. If we have reason to think them to be saints, whom we believe to be of the household of faith, whose wants are great, how ready should we be to do them good! Our goodness can not extend unto God, but we should freely extend it to these excellent ones of the earth, and thus show that we delight in them.
    • 3. This would redound to the praise and glory of God. Many thanksgivings would be given to God on this account, by the apostle, and by those who were employed in this ministration, v. 11. These would bless God, who had made them happy instruments in so good a work, and rendered them successful in it. Besides these, others also would be thankful; the poor, who were supplied in their wants, would not fail to be very thankful to God, and bless God for them; and all who wished well to the gospel would glorify God for this experiment, or proof of subjection to the gospel of Christ, and true love to all men, v. 13. Note,
      • (1.) True Christianity is a subjection to the gospel, a yielding of ourselves to the commanding influence of its truths and laws.
      • (2.) We must evince the sincerity of our subjection to the gospel by works of charity.
      • (3.) This will be for the credit of our profession, and to the praise and glory of God.
    • 4. Those whose wants were supplied would make the best return they were able, by sending up many prayers to God for those who had relieved them, v. 14. And thus should we recompense the kindnesses we receive when we are not in a capacity of recompensing them in any other way; and, as this is the only recompence the poor can make, so it is often greatly for the advantage of the rich.

Lastly, The apostle concludes this whole matter with this doxology, Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, v. 15. Some think that by this unspeakable gift he means the gift of grace bestowed on the churches, in making them able and willing to supply the necessities of the saints, which would be attended with unspeakable benefit both to the givers and receivers. It should seem rather that he means Jesus Christ, who is indeed the unspeakable gift of God unto this world, a gift we have all reason to be very thankful for.