9:1 For 1 as touching the ministering to the saints, it is
superfluous for me to write to you:
(1) He wisely answers the suspicion which the Corinthians might
conceive, as though the apostle in urging them so carefully
was doubting of their good will. Therefore he witnesses
that he does it not to teach them that they ought to help
the saints, seeing that he had become surety for them to
the Macedonians. But only to stir those up who were
labouring by themselves, to the end that all things might
both be in a better readiness, and also be more plentiful.
9:4 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 a confident boasting.
(a) The word which he uses signifies a mind so steady and
established that it cannot be moved by any terror or
fear.
9:5 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] b
covetousness.
(b) As from covetous men.
9:62 But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap
also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap
also bountifully.
(2) Alms must be given neither grudgingly, nor with a loathful
mind, or sparingly. And a generous and free alms is
compared to a sowing which has a most plentiful harvest of
most abundant blessing following it.
9:7 Every man according as he c purposeth in his heart, [so
let him give]; not d grudgingly, or of e necessity: for
God loveth a cheerful giver.
(c) Determines and appoints freely with himself.
(d) With a sparing and grudging heart.
(e) Against his will, not wanting to have evil spoken of
him.
9:8 And God [is] able to make f all grace abound toward you;
that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may
abound to g every good work:
(f) All the bountiful liberality of God.
(g) To help others by all means possible, in doing them good
in their needs.
9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given
to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for h ever.
(h) Is everlasting: now David speaks of a man that fears
God, and loves his neighbour, who will always be able
(he says) to give to others.
9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister
bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and
increase the i fruits of your righteousness;)
(i) There is no inheritance as good to the godly as
bountifulness is.
9:123 For the administration of this service not only
supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by
many thanksgivings unto God;
(3) Another excellent and double fruit of liberality towards
the saints is this, that it gives occasion to praise God,
and that our faith also is by it made manifest.
9:13 Whiles by the k experiment of this ministration they
glorify God for your l professed subjection unto the
gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal distribution unto
them, and unto all [men];
(k) By this proof of your liberality in this helping of them.
(l) In showing with one consent that you acknowledge that
Gospel alone which you have willingly submitted
yourselves to, declaring by this that you agree with
the church of Jerusalem.
9:15m Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.
(m) Lest by this great commendation and praise the
Corinthians should be puffed up, he concludes this
exhortation with this exclamation.
