‏ 2 Corinthians 8:11-24

11. perform--"complete the doing also" (see on 2Co 8:10).

a readiness to will--Greek, "the readiness of will"; referring to 2Co 8:10, where the Greek for "to be forward," ought to be translated as here, "to will."

performance--"completion" [Alford], The godly should show the same zeal to finish, as well as to begin well, which the worldly exhibit in their undertakings (Jr 44:25).

12. For--Following up the rule "out of that which ye have" (2Co 8:11), and no more.

a willing mind--rather, as Greek, "the readiness," namely, to will, referring to 2Co 8:11.

accepted--Greek "favorably accepted."

according to that a man hath--The oldest manuscripts omit "a man." Translate, "According to whatsoever it have"; the willing mind, or "readiness" to will, is personified [Alford]. Or better, as Bengel, "He is accepted according to whatsoever he have"; so 2Co 9:7, The Lord loveth a cheerful giver." Compare as to David, 1Ki 8:18. God accepts the will for the deed. He judges not according to what a man has the opportunity to do, but according to what he would do if he had the opportunity (compare Mr 14:8; and the widow's mite, Lu 21:3, 4).

13. For--Supply from 2Co 8:8, "I speak." My aim is not that others (namely, the saints at Jerusalem) may be relieved at the cost of your being "distressed" (so the Greek for "burdened"). The golden rule is, "Love thy neighbour as thyself," not more than thyself.

14. by an equality--"by the rule of equality" [Alford]: literally, "Out of equality."

now at this time--Greek, "at the present juncture" or season.

that their abundance also--The Greek being distinct from the previous "that," translate, "in order that," namely, at another season, when your relative circumstances may be reversed. The reference is solely to temporal wants and supplies. Those, as Bengel, who quote Ro 15:27 for interpreting it of spiritual supplies from the Jews to the Gentiles, forget that Ro 15:27 refers to the past benefit spiritually, which the Jews have conferred on the Gentiles, as a motive to gratitude on the part of the latter, not to a prospective benefit to be looked for from the former, which the text refers to.

15. (Ex 16:18; Septuagint). As God gave an equal portion of manna to all the Israelites, whether they could gather much or little; so Christians should promote by liberality an equality, so that none should need the necessaries of life while others have superfluities. "Our luxuries should yield to our neighbor's comforts; and our comforts to his necessities" [J. Howard].

16-17. Returning to the subject of 2Co 8:6.

for you--Translate, "Which put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus," as was in myself. My care for you led me to "desire" him (2Co 8:6, 17, "exhortation," the same Greek); but Titus had of himself the same care, whence he "accepted (gladly) my exhortation" (2Co 8:17) to go to you (2Co 8:6).

18. the brother, whose praise is in the gospel--whose praise is known in connection with the Gospel: Luke may be meant; not that "the Gospel" here refers to his written Gospel; but the language implies some one well known throughout the churches, and at that time with Paul, as Luke then was (Ac 20:6). Not a Macedonian, as appears from 2Co 9:4. Of all Paul's "companions in travel" (2Co 8:19; Ac 19:29), Luke was the most prominent, having been his companion in preaching the Gospel at his first entrance into Europe (Ac 16:10). The fact that the person here referred to was "chosen of the churches" as their trustee to travel with Paul in conveying the contribution to Jerusalem, implies that he had resided among them some time before: this is true of Luke, who after parting from Paul at Philippi (as he marks by the change from "we" to "they," Ac 16:11) six years before, is now again found in his company in Macedonia. In the interim he had probably become so well known that "his praise was throughout all the churches." Compare 2Co 12:18; Phm 24. He who is faithful in the Gospel will be faithful also in matters of inferior importance [Bengel].

19. not that only--not only praised in all the churches.

chosen--by vote: so the Greek.

of the churches--therefore these companions of Paul are called "messengers of the churches" (2Co 8:23).

to travel--to Jerusalem.

with this grace--Greek, "in the case of this grace," or "gift."

to the glory of the same Lord--The oldest manuscripts omit "same."

declaration of your ready mind--The oldest manuscripts read, "our," not your. This and the previous clause, "to the glory of the same Lord," do not follow "administered by us," but "chosen of the churches to travel," &c. The union of the brother with Paul in this affair of the collection was done to guard against suspicions injurious "to the glory" of the Lord. It was also done in order to produce a "readiness" on the part of Paul and the brother to undertake the office which each, by himself, would have been less ready to undertake, for fear of suspicions arising (2Co 8:20) as to their appropriation of any of the money.

20. Avoiding--taking precautions against this.

in this abundance--in the case of this abundance.

21. The Septuagint (Pr 3:4; Ro 12:17). The oldest manuscripts read, "For we provide."

honest things--"things honorable."

22. This second brother, Birks supposes to be Trophimus: for a Macedonian is not meant (2Co 9:4) probably the same as was sent before with Titus (2Co 12:18); and therefore sent from Ephesus, and probably an Ephesian: all this is true of Trophimus.

oftentimes ... in many things--Join and translate as in the Greek, "many times in many things."

upon the great confidence which I have in you--"through the great confidence WHICH HE HAS towards you" [Alford]. Bengel better supports English Version, "We have sent ... through the confidence WHICH WE FEEL in regard to your liberality."

23. fellow helper concerning you--Greek, "fellow worker towards you."

our brethren--the two mentioned in 2Co 8:18, 22.

messengers--rather, as the Greek, "apostles": in the less strict sense (Ac 14:14).

of the churches--sent by the churches, as we are by the Lord (Php 2:25). There was in the synagogue an ecclesiastical officer, called "the angel of the Church," whence the title seems derived (compare Re 2:1).

24. The oldest manuscripts read "[continue] manifesting to them in the face of the churches the manifestation of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf."

‏ 2 Corinthians 9

CHAPTER 9

2Co 9:1-15. Reasons for His Sending Titus. The Greater Their Bountifulness, the More Shall Be the Return of Blessing to Them, and Thanksgiving to God.

1. For--connected with 2Co 8:16: "Show love to the messengers of the churches; for as concerns the ministration for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you who are so forward already."

write--emphatical: It is superfluous to "write," for you will have witnesses present [Bengel].

2. ready a year ago--to send off the money, owing to the apostle's former exhortation (1Co 16:1, 2).

your zeal--Greek, "the zeal from you," that is, on your part; propagated from you to others.

provoked--that is, stimulated.

very many--Greek, "the greater number," namely, of the Macedonians.

3. have I sent--we should say, "I send"; whereas the ancients put it in the past, the time which it would be by the time that the letter arrived.

the brethren--(2Co 8:18, 22)--Titus and the two others.

should be in vain in this behalf--"should be proved futile in this particular," however true in general (2Co 7:4). A tacit compliment, softening the sharp monition.

as I said--as I was saying (2Co 9:2).

4. if they of Macedonia--rather as Greek, "if Macedonians."

unprepared--with your collection; see 2Co 9:2, "ready," Greek, "prepared."

we, not to say ye--Ye would naturally feel more ashamed for yourselves, than we (who boasted of you) would for you.

confident boasting--The oldest manuscripts read simply "confidence," namely, in your liberality.

5. that they would go before--Translate, "that they should," &c.

whereof ye had notice before--rather, "promised before"; "long announced by me to the Macedonians" (2Co 9:2) [Bengel]. "Your promised bounty" [Ellicott and others].

not as of covetousness--Translate, "not as matter of covetousness," which it would be, if you gave niggardly.

6. I say--Ellicott and others supply the ellipsis thus: "But remember this."

bountifully--literally, "with," or "in blessings." The word itself implies a beneficent spirit in the giver (compare 2Co 9:7, end), and the plural implies the abundance and liberality of the gifts. "The reaping shall correspond to the proportions and spirit of the sowing" [Bengel]. Compare Eze 34:26, "Showers of blessing."

7. according as he purposeth in his heart--Let the full consent of the free will go with the gift [Alford]. Opposed to "of necessity," as "grudgingly" is opposed to "a cheerful giver" (Pr 22:9; 11:25; Is 32:8).

8. all grace--even in external goods, and even while ye bestow on others [Bengel].

that--"in order that." God's gifts are bestowed on us, not that we may have them to ourselves, but that we may the more "abound in good works" to others.

sufficiency--so as not to need the help of others, having yourselves from God "bread for your food" (2Co 9:10).

in all things--Greek, "in everything."

every good work--of charity to others, which will be "your seed sown" (2Co 9:10).

9. As it is written--realizing the highly blessed character portrayed in Psa 112:9.

He--the "good man" (Psa 112:5).

dispersed--as seed sown with full and open hand, without anxious thought in what direction each grain may fall. It is implied also that he has always what he may disperse [Bengel]. So in Psa 112:9.

the poor--The Greek word is found here only in New Testament, "one in straitened circumstances, who earns his bread by labor." The word usually employed means "one so poor as to live by begging."

his righteousness--Here "beneficence": the evidence of his being righteous before God and man. Compare De 24:13; Mt 6:1, "alms"; Greek, "righteousness."

remaineth--unexhausted and unfailing.

10. Translate, as in Is 55:10, "He that ministereth (supplieth) seed to the sower and bread for food" (literally, "bread for eating").

minister--rather future, as the oldest manuscripts, "Shall minister (supply) and multiply."

your seed--your means for liberality.

the fruits of your righteousness--the heavenly rewards for your Christian charity (Mt 10:42). Righteousness shall be itself the reward, even as it is the thing rewarded (Ho 10:12; Mt 5:6; 6:33).

11. Compare 2Co 9:8.

bountifulness--Greek, "single-minded liberality." Translated "simplicity," Ro 12:8.

causeth through us--literally, "worketh through us"; that is, through our instrumentality as the distributors.

thanksgiving--on the part of the recipients.

12. Greek, "The ministration of this public service (on your part) is not only still further supplying the wants of the saints (besides the supplies from other quarters), but is abounding also (namely, in respect to relieving the necessities of others in poverty) through many thanksgivings to God."

13. by--through occasion of.

experiment--Translate, "the experience" [Ellicott and others]. Or, "the experimental proof" of your Christian character, afforded by "this ministration."

they--the recipients.

for your professed subjection--Greek, "for the subjection of your profession"; that is, your subjection in accordance with your profession, in relation to the Gospel. Ye yield yourselves in willing subjection to the Gospel precepts, evinced in acts, as well as in profession.

your liberal distribution--Greek, "the liberality of your contribution in relation to them," &c.

14. Translate, "Themselves also with prayer for you, longing after you on account of the exceeding grace of God (resting) upon you." English Version is, however, good sense: They glorify God (2Co 9:13) by the experimental proof, &c., "and by their prayer for you." But the Greek favors the former.

15. his unspeakable gift--the gift of His own Son, which includes all other inferior gifts (2Co 8:9; Ro 8:32). If we have received from God "His unspeakable gift," what great thing is it, if we give a few perishing gifts for His sake?

‏ 2 Corinthians 10:1

CHAPTER 10

2Co 10:1-18. He Vindicates His Apostolic Authority against Those Who Depreciated Him for His Personal Appearance. He Will Make His Power Felt When He Comes. He Boasts Not, as They, Beyond His Measure.

1. I Paul myself--no longer "we," "us," "our" (2Co 9:11): I who am represented by depreciators as "base," I, the same Paul, of my own accord "beseech you"; or rather "entreat," "exhort" you for your sake. As "I beseech you" (a distinct Greek verb, 2Co 10:2) for my sake.

by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--He mentions these graces of Christ especially (Psa 18:35; Mt 11:29), as on account of his imitation of them in particular he was despised [Grotius]. He entreats them by these, in order to show that though he must have recourse to more severe measures, he is naturally inclined to gentle ones after Christ's example [Menochius]. "Meekness" is more in the mind internally; "gentleness" in the external behavior, and in relation to others; for instance, the condescending yieldingness of a superior to an inferior, the former not insisting on his strict rights [Trench]. Bengel explains it, "By the meekness and gentleness derived by me from Christ," not from my own nature: he objects to understanding it of Christ's meekness and gentleness, since nowhere else is "gentleness" attributed to Him. But though the exact Greek word is not applied to Him, the idea expressed by it is (compare Is 40:11; Mt 12:19, 20).

in presence--in personal appearance when present with you.

base--Greek, "lowly"; timid, humbly diffident: opposed to "bold." "Am" stands here by ironical concession for "am reputed to be" (compare 2Co 10:10).