II Corinthians 9 · The Lantern

For concerning the ministry that is done towards the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.

It is superfluous, but in order to demonstrate his diligence, it was necessary for Paul to write like this, so that they would be all the more willing to do what they were asked and to embody the truth they were being taught. For superfluities tend to show greater concern.

He discoursed so long about this ministry before and, intending again to speak about the same thing, says that it is superfluous for him to write about it. And he does this wisely, in order to attract them more.

Having exhorted the Corinthians to give alms to the saints in Jerusalem, the Apostle now admonishes them how to give, namely, cheerfully and abundantly. Hence, in order that they might give properly, he has sent them important messengers. In regard to this he does two things. First, he excludes the supposed cause for sending the messengers; secondly, he gives the true one (v.

For I know your forward mind: for which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia also is ready from the year past. And your emulation hath provoked very many.

The other churches followed after Corinth. When they heard that a church which had previously been involved in many errors had put them right, they were moved to good works. After accepting the faith and then behaving badly, they began to have this desire to improve. How much more then ought others, in whom such vices were not present, do so as well?

Paul holds up the Macedonians to the Corinthians and the Corinthians to the Macedonians as examples to imitate.

And the reason for this is because I know your readiness to help them: "My heart is steadfast, O God" (Ps. 108:1). That your mind is ready I prove by two things. First, from our boasting of you, for unless I knew that you were ready for this, I would not have boasted to them about you.

Now I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we boast of concerning you be not made void in this behalf, that (as I have said) you may be ready:

Paul often reminds the Corinthians of his care for them by saying this kind of thing, so that they will not feel frustrated.

He makes himself as it were a member of the Corinthian church and is anxious about it. For he says: since I boasted of you, I was afraid lest I be put to shame, and therefore sent the brothers, "that our boasting of you may not be in vain," that is, lest my boasting of you be exposed as empty and fruitless. For I, he says, admiring you, boasted before all and before them.

Then when he says, But I am sending the brethren, he establishes the true cause for why he was sending such solemn messengers. First, he lays down the general reason; secondly, the special reason (v. 3b). Concerning the first he does two things.

Lest, when the Macedonians shall come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be ashamed in this matter.

It is obvious that if Paul arrives and finds that the Corinthians are not what they have been expected to be, he will be chagrined and they will feel even more frustrated.

Again he returns to the same subject and expresses his concern with greater force, persuading them with human considerations. For there is greater shame when one is disgraced before the faces of strangers. Perhaps, he says, you are counting on me as someone familiar to you; but think of the Macedonians who may come with me, which is likely.

Secondly, when he says, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be, he urges them to give in the proper way. First, he urges them to give readily; secondly, that they may give abundantly (v. 5); thirdly, that they may give cheerfully (v. 7). In regard to the first he does two things. First, he mentions how to give; secondly, he assigns the reason (v. 4).

Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would go to you before and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing, not as covetousness.

Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings shall also reap blessings.

"He who soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who soweth in blessing shall reap also of blessing. But let every one do as he has proposed in his heart: not as if sorrowfully, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

And since the apostle himself says: "Now this I say: he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly," you should understand that now is the time, while we are still in this life, to be swift and eager to purchase the gift of eternal life, for when the end of the world comes it will be given only to those who have bought it for themselves by faith before they were able to see i…

The reason why they should give abundantly is because, I say, he who sows sparingly, i.e., who gives little in this world, will also reap sparingly, i.e., will receive little in the other world.

Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

See then, first, that He has not commanded you to be solicited or to wait to be importuned, but yourself to seek those who are to be benefited and are worthy disciples of the Saviour.

Paul's purpose was not only for money to be contributed to the poor but for it to be contributed with great eagerness. Likewise, God appointed almsgiving not only for the nourishment of the needy but also for the benefit of the providers, and much more so for the latter than for the former.

Then when he says, each one must do, he exhorts them to give cheerfully and joyfully. In regard to this he does two things. First, he urges them to give joyfully; secondly, he gives the reason (v. 7b). He says therefore: I say that you should prepare what you intend to give as a gift, i.e., abundantly, and as worthy of a blessing, and not as an exaction, i.e., not sparingly.

And God is able to make all grace abound in you: that ye always, having all sufficiently in all things, may abound to every good work,

Paul points out that the grace of God is present in them. Just as it has led their hearts to amend their faults and accept the truth of Christian teaching, so it will assist them, once they have begun, to abound in every good work.

With these words he refutes the reasoning that many have when they say: if I give too much, I am afraid of becoming poor myself. God, he says, is able to enrich you so much that you can abundantly accomplish every grace, that is, every act of charity. Therefore, give generously, so that your charity may ever increase more and more. Do you see?

Here he gives the reason for the three ways of giving. In regard to this he does two things. First, he assigns the reason taken on their part; secondly, the reason taken on God's part (v. 11). In regard to the first he does two things. First, he gives the reason; secondly, he confirms it (v. 9).

As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.

And he that ministereth seed to the sower will both give you bread to eat and will multiply your seed and increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:

Moreover, the blessed Apostle Paul, full of the grace of the Lord's inspiration, says: "He that ministereth seed to the sower, shall both minister bread for your food, and shall multiply your seed sown, and shall increase the growth of the fruits of your righteousness, that in all things ye may be enriched.".

And again Paul himself prayed for those who give that the fruits of their righteousness might be increased, and that they might distribute gifts to the needy with simplicity, "May that God Who giveth seed to the sowers, and bread for food, multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; that ye may be enriched in everything in all simplicity, which perfecteth…

He confirms his reason by experience when he says, He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food. As if to say: you know from experience that what you give in alms you have from the Lord; therefore you should give gladly for the love of God: "For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you" (1 Ch. 29:14). He suggests three things in regard to this.

That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

"That being enriched in every thing to all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God." Not that ye may consume it upon things not fitting, but upon such as bring much thanksgiving to God. For God made us to have the disposal of great things, and reserving to Himself that which is less yielded to us that which is greater.

Again he shows how one should use wealth, and says that one should not bury it in the ground, but have it "for all generosity," that is, share it generously.

Then when he says, You will be enriched in every way, after having assigned the reason why they should give promptly, abundantly and cheerfully on the part of the donors, he then assigns the reason on God's part, for whom they ought to give. First he assigns the reason they should give; secondly, he explains it (v. 12).

Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord.

And again: "The administration of this service shall not only supply the wants of the saints, but shall be abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; ". Also in the same place: "The administration of this service has not only supplied that which is lacking to the saints, but has abounded by much giving of thanks unto God."

Paul is pointing out that giving to the saints is not just a matter of supplying their immediate wants. It has many other ramifications as well and leads to blessings of different kinds.

Then when he says, for the rendering of this service, he explains the reason mentioned above, namely, how their abundance works thanksgiving to God. First he shows this; secondly, the reason for thanks (v. 13); thirdly, he breaks out in thanksgiving (v. 14).

By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ and for the simplicity of your communicating unto them and unto all.

And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.

"While they themselves also with supplication." 'For in respect of these things,' saith he, 'they give thanks to God, but in respect of your love and your coming together, they beseech Him that they may be counted worthy to see you.

Moreover, they also pray for you, as though to be counted worthy of seeing you, not for the sake of possessions, but for the sake of the grace of God abundantly given to you. Again he calls the work of almsgiving grace, ascribing everything to God, so that they might not become proud.

Thirdly, on account of what these saints have from God that they may give thanks to God; hence he says: glorifying God also in their praying for you, i.e., they glorify God for the fact that those holy men pray for you; the men, I say, who are desirous of seeing you in eternal happiness; and this because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

And he himself again, along with them, sends up thanksgiving, saying, "Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift." And here he calls "gift," even those so many good things which are wrought by almsgiving, both to them that receive and them that give; or else, those unspeakable good things which through His advent He gave unto the whole world with great munificence, which one ma…

We should be discerning and aware of the grace that has been effected in us, giving thanks for it to the Maker, praising God for this great and "ineffable gift" to us. We should put aside from ourselves any hateful habits of slackness and neglect which only destroy our lives; instead, we should persevere from the beginning to the end of the times of our offices.

From this the Apostle breaks forth in thanksgiving to God, saying: Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!, that is, for the charity which is especially seen in you who even help those who thus thank God and pray for you.

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