2 Corinthians 9:6-12 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Not grudgingly, or of necessity - The Jews had in the temple two chests for alms; the one was תובה של of what was necessary, i.e. what the law required, the other was נרבה של of the free-will offerings. To escape perdition some would grudgingly give what necessity obliged them; others would give cheerfully, for the love of God, and through pity to the poor. Of the first, nothing is said; they simply did what the law required. Of the second, much is said; God loves them. The benefit of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:8

God is able to make all grace abound - We have already seen, 2 Corinthians 8:1 ; that the word χαρις , in the connection in which the apostle uses it in these chapters, signifies a charitable gift; here it certainly has the same meaning: God is able to give you, in his mercy, abundance of temporal good; that, having a sufficiency, ye may abound in every good work. This refers to the sowing plenteously: those who do so shall reap plenteously - they shall have an abundance of God's... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:9

He hath dispersed abroad - Here is still the allusion to the sower. He sows much; not at home merely, or among those with whom he is acquainted, but abroad - among the strangers, whether of his own or of another nation. The quotation is taken from Psalm 112:9 . He hath given to the poor - This is the interpretation of he hath scattered abroad; and therefore it is said, his righteousness remaineth for ever - his good work is had in remembrance before God. By righteousness we have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:10

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower - The sower, as we have already seen, is he that gives alms of what he hath; and God, who requires him to give these alms, is here represented as providing him with the means. As in the creation, if God had not created the earth with every tree and plant with its seed in itself, so that a harvest came, without a previous ploughing and sowing, there could have been no seed to deposit in the earth; so, if God had not, in the course of his providence,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:11

Being enriched in every thing - Observe, Why does God give riches? That they may be applied to his glory, and the good of men. Why does he increase riches? That those who have them may exercise all bountifulness. And if they be enriched in every thing, what will be the consequence if they do not exercise all bountifulness? Why, God will curse their blessings; the rust shall canker them, and the moth shall consume their garments. But if, on the other hand, they do thus apply them, then they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:12

For the administration of this service - The poor are relieved, see the hand of God in this relief, and give God the glory of his grace. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:6

Verse 6 6.Now the case is this (719) He now commends alms-giving by a beautiful similitude, comparing it to sowing. For in sowing, the seed is cast forth by the hand, is scattered upon the ground on this side and on that, is harrowed, and at length rots; and thus it seems as good as lost. The case is similar as to alms-giving. What goes from you to some other quarter seems as if it were, diminishing of what you have, but the season of harvest will come, when the fruit will be gathered. For as... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Verse 7 7Every one according to the purpose of his heart. As he had enjoined it upon them to give liberally, this, also, required to be added — that liberality is estimated by God, not so much from the sum, as from the disposition. He was desirous, it is true, to induce them to give largely, in order that the brethren might be the more abundantly aided; but he had no wish to extort any thing from them against their will. Hence he exhorts them to give willingly, whatever they might be prepared... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:8

Verse 8 8.And God is able Again he provides against the base thought, which our infidelity constantly suggests to us. “What! will you not rather have a regard to your own interest? Do you not consider, that when this is taken away, there will be so much the less left for yourself?” With the view of driving away this, Paul arms us with a choice promise — that whatever we give away will turn out to our advantage. I have said already, that we are by nature excessively niggardly — because we are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:9

Verse 9 9.As it is written, He hath dispersed He brings forward a proof from Psalms 112:9, where, along with other excellencies of the pious man, the Prophet mentions this, too, — that he will not be wanting in doing good, but as water flows forth incessantly from a perennial fountain, so the gushing forth of his liberality will be unceasing. Paul has an eye to this — that we be not weary in well doing, (Galatians 6:9,) and this is also what the Prophet’s words mean. (722) read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:9

Group of Brands