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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 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 (2 Cor. 9:1), being satisfied he had said enough already to prevail with those of whom he had so good an opinion. For, 1. He knew their... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 9:6-16

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, 2 Cor. 9:5; that a liberal contribution was expected, a matter of bounty, not what savoured of covetousness; and he offers to their consideration that men who... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:1-5

9:1-5 It is superfluous for me to write to you about this service designed to help God's dedicated people, for I know your eagerness, about which I have boasted for you to the Macedonians, for I have told them that Achaea has been ready since last year, and the story of your zeal has kindled the majority of them. But, all the same, I am sending the brothers, so that, in this particular matter, the boast I made of you may not be proved empty, so that you might be all ready, as I said you were.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

9:6-15 Further, there is this--He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Let each man give as he has decided in his heart. Let him not give as if it hurt him to give or as if it was being forced out of him, for it is the happy giver whom God loves. God can supply you with an overflowing measure of every grace, so that because in all things at all times you have all sufficiency, you may excel in every good work. As it stands written, "He... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 9:5

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren ,.... Titus, and the other two, on whom he did not lay his commands, or apostolical injunctions, according to the authority and dignity of his office; only exhorted or besought them, and which was judged by him very needful and proper at this time: that they would go before hand unto you ; before him, and the Macedonian brethren that might probably come with him: and make up before hand your bounty ; or blessing; for any present... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 9:6

But this I say ,.... This the apostle would have the Corinthians take notice of, and well consider, it being what he could aver for truth, by observation and experience; that as in things natural, so in things of a moral and spiritual kind, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully , or with blessings, shall reap also bountifully ; or with blessings; as a man sows, so shall he reap; the one is in proportion to the other. Sowing and reaping... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart ,.... Which is not to be understood of the quantity, or any set sum he has fixed upon in his mind to give; but of the quality or nature of giving; or of the manner in which he is to give: so let him give ; of his own will and free choice, from his very heart; not as directed and forced by others, but according to his own counsel and determination: not grudgingly ; or not of grief; with pain and uneasiness of mind, grieving at parting... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:5

Whereof ye had notice before - Instead of προκατηγγελμενην , spoken of before, BCDEFG, several others, with the Coptic, Vulgate, Itala, and several of the fathers, have προεπηγγελμενην , what was promised before. The sense is not very different; probably the latter reading was intended to explain the former. See the margin. Bounty, and not as of covetousness - Had they been backward, strangers might have attributed this to a covetous principle; as it would appear that they were loth... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 9:6

He which soweth sparingly - This is a plain maxim: no man can expect to reap but in proportion as he has sowed. And here almsgiving is represented as a seed sown, which shall bring forth a crop. If the sowing be liberal, and the seed good, the crop shall be so too. Sowing is used among the Jews to express almsgiving: so they understand Isaiah 32:20 ; : Blessed are ye who sow beside all waters; i.e. who are ready to help every one that is in need. And Hosea 10:12 , they interpret: Sow... read more

Adam Clarke

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

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