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Let every person do just as determined in the heart, and not with regret, nor because of being forced.1 For The God continues to love a cheerful giver.2 [Proverbs 22:8 LXX]
| 1 | Not with regret, nor because of being forced: Or, KJV: not grudgingly or of necessity; GDS: not reluctantly or under compulsion. Giving with stingy heart, or because one is forced to do it, results in no credit or reward with God. Paul may echo principles in the Law of Moses. [Deuteronomy 15:7, 10; Proverbs 22:8] |
| 2 | God continues to love a cheerful giver: Paul quotes from Proverbs 22:8 [LXX]. If one wishes to remain in God’s love then giving must be part of the character, and this from a happy and willing heart. Compare Paul’s quote of the Nazarene at Acts 20:35. [1 Chronicles 29:17; Romans 12:8; Hebrews 13:17] |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 2 Corinthians 9:7 as the theme of the chapter – The Ministry of Cheerful Giving. Paul now addresses “the ministry unto the Saints.” [1-5] By “ministry” he means charitable giving to the poor and needy within the Church. Paul writes that “God loves [prefers] a cheerful giver” which echoes Proverbs 22:8 [LXX]. [6, 7] He says that the Christian who ‘sows sparingly’ with regard to charitable giving will also “reap sparingly.” No one will be forced to give, but it is clear that blessings will only come to those who do.
God will be charitable to those who “abound in every good work [of charity].” [8-14] To Paul here “righteousness” is that of charity. Christian ministry must include both prayerful thanksgiving to God and “liberal sharing” in providing for the needs of the Saints. Paul ties such liberal charity in with “your confession of the Good News of the Christ.”
Many translations use in verse 14 something like, “because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.” It ought to be remembered that the old English word “grace” is derived from the Greek CHARIN. This word is the root for the English “charity” which means to give or share with those who have not worked for it – that is, “undeserved kindness.” So Paul has emphasized his theme of charity. He ends by expressing thanks to God “for His indescribable free gift – His Son.
May Heaven bless the charitable.
[20 June 2002]
