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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER NINE:
THE MINISTRY OF CHEERFUL GIVING

[“Ministerial Contributions”]
Key word: Ministry
Theme verse: 7

2 Corinthians 9:1-5 – Ministry to Saints

2CO9:1 Now regarding the ministry unto the Saints it is needless for me to write you [Corinthians]. 2CO9:2 For I am aware of your readiness, regarding which I continue to boast to Macedonians about you, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, because your zeal has excited most of them. 2CO9:3 But, I sent the brothers so that our boasting over you [Corinthians] might not be in vain regarding this matter, and in order that you be prepared, just as I am saying that you will be. 2CO9:4 Otherwise, somehow, if Macedonians should arrive with me, they might find you unprepared and – not to tell you – we would be very embarrassed about this confidence. 2CO9:5 So, I felt it a necessity to encourage the brothers so that they should visit you first and get ready beforehand your previously promised blessing. Thus this might be such a blessing and not as something under pressure.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – A Cheerful Giver

2CO9:6 Now regarding this, the person sowing sparingly will also reap sparingly, 233 and the person sowing blessings will also reap blessings. 234

233

The person sowing sparingly will also reap sparingly: Paul’s context is charity. Compare notes on Galatians 6:7. This godly principle confirms that the person who shares little with others will, in the end, reap little. At the judgment the Great Account will balance the books and everything we have done, or failed to do, in the matter of charity will be openly exposed.

234

The person sowing blessings will also reap blessings: Or, MOF: he who sows generously will reap a generous harvest; TCN: plentiful sowing, plentiful harvest. Here “blessings” are those windfalls which come upon most people. Failure to share blessings with others will amount to a meager harvest, while those who plant their blessings in charity, will be blessed by God. Compare the Biblical principles at Proverbs 19:17; 22:9;Ecclesiastes 11:1; Luke 6:38.

2CO9:7 Let every person do just as determined in the heart, and not with regret, nor because of being forced. 235 For The God continues to love a cheerful giver. 236 [Proverbs 22:8 LXX]

235

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]

236

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]

2 Corinthians 9:8-14 – Supply and Multiply

2CO9:8 Additionally, The God is able to cause a charitable gift to abound toward you [Corinthians], so that you always have your own sufficiency complete, 237 having abounded in every good work. 238

237	So that you always have your own sufficiency complete: Paul assures the well-off Corinthians that God will bless their charity.

238	Good work: It is clear here and elsewhere “good work” often involves charity.

2CO9:9 Just as it has been written: “He scattered abroad, 239 he gave to those poverty-stricken, His righteousness remains unto the Age.” [Psalm 112:9]

239

He scattered abroad: Or, MOF: he scatters his gifts; WMS: he has generously given to the poor. Paul quotes Psalm 112:9. Everything that earth’s habitants possess are from God, no matter how meager they are. The Psalms are filled with promises that God will notice the poor and in the end they will receive every blessing that others receive.

2CO9:10 Now the One supplying the seed to the person sowing, and bread to the person eating, will supply and multiply your seed; and He will increase the product of your righteousness. 240

240

He will increase the product of your righteousness: It is not necessarily a principle that the rich will receive back the same as their charity, but they receive something more – personal happiness and the fruitage of increased righteousness. Here “righteousness” is highly involved with charity to the poor.

2CO9:11 In every matter you [Corinthians] are being enriched in all your liberal sharing which produces in us a thanksgiving to The God. 2CO9:12 Because the ministry of this public work is not only supplying beyond measure the needs of the Saints, 241 but also an abundance of numerous thanksgiving to The God.

241	Ministry of this public work is not only supplying beyond measure the needs of the Saints: A big part of every Christian’s ministry is charity. Compare notes on James 1:27 and James 2:15-17. See notes on Romans 12:13.

2CO9:13 By means of the proof of this ministry these glorify The God because you [Corinthians] are in subjection regarding your confession of the Good News of the Christ, as well as the liberal sharing with them and to everyone else. 2CO9:14 Also, they, with supplications in your behalf, continue to long for you by means of the surpassing charity of The God upon all of you.

2 Corinthians 9:15 – Indescribable Free Gift

2CO9:15 Thanks to The God for His indescribable free gift. 242

242	Thanks to The God for His indescribable free gift: Or, unspeakable, inestimable, incomparable, inexpressible, beyond words. Most understand this gift to be that of His Son and all that is involved with such a heavenly blessing. [John 1:17; Romans 3:24; 5:15; Ephesians 3:7]

Review Questions on Chapter Nine