1 For concerning the ministration which [is] for the saints, it is superfluous my writing to you.
And the words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebecca. And she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, comforts himself that he will kill thee.
And as to the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, Jehovah is between me and thee for ever.
The Almighty, we cannot find him out: excellent in power, and in judgment, and in abundance of justice, he doth not afflict.
{To the chief Musician. Upon Shoshannim. Of the sons of Korah. An instruction; -- a song of the Beloved.} My heart is welling forth [with] a good matter: I say what I have composed touching the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
As regards the glad tidings, [they are] enemies on your account; but as regards election, beloved on account of the fathers.
begging of us with much entreaty [to give effect to] the grace and fellowship of the service which [was to be rendered] to the saints. And not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God's will. So that we begged Titus that, according as he had before begun, so he would also complete as to you this grace also; but even as ye abound in every way, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in love from you to us, that ye may abound in this grace also. I do not speak as commanding [it], but through the zeal of others, and proving the genuineness of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he, being rich, became poor, in order that *ye* by *his* poverty might be enriched. And I give [my] opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago. But now also complete the doing of it; so that as [there was] the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have. For if the readiness be there, [a man is] accepted according to what he may have, not according to what he has not. For [it is] not in order that there may be ease for others, and for you distress, but [on the principle] of equality; in the present time your abundance for their lack, that their abundance may be for your lack, so that there should be equality. According as it is written, He who [gathered] much had no excess, and he who [gathered] little was nothing short.
Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God; they glorifying God through the proof of this ministration, by reason of your subjection, by profession, to the glad tidings of the Christ, and your free-hearted liberality in communicating towards them and towards all; and in their supplication for you, full of ardent desire for you, on account of the exceeding grace of God [which is] upon you.
only that we should remember the poor, which same thing also I was diligent to do.
So then, as we have occasion, let us do good towards all, and specially towards those of the household of faith.
as to circumcision, [I received it] the eighth day; of [the] race of Israel, of [the] tribe of Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrews; as to [the] law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, persecuting the assembly; as to righteousness which [is] in [the] law, found blameless;
Now concerning brotherly love ye have no need that we should write to you, for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. For also ye do this towards all the brethren in the whole of Macedonia; but we exhort you, brethren, to abound still more,
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that ye should be written to,
and *yourselves*, the unction which ye have received from him abides in you, and ye have not need that any one should teach you; but as the same unction teaches you as to all things, and is true and is not a lie, and even as it has taught you, ye shall abide in him.
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.
2Cr 9:6-15
Here we have,
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.