1 Now concerning athe ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;
2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a ayear ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.
3aYet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready;
4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this1 confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to1 exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which youhad previously promised, that it may be ready as amatterof generosity and not as a2 grudging obligation.
The Cheerful Giver
6aBut this Isay: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows1 bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7Solet each one give as he purposes in his heart, anot grudgingly or of necessity; for bGod loves a cheerful giver.
8aAnd God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
9 As it is written: a“He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now1 may He who asupplies seed to the sower, and bread for food,2 supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your brighteousness,
11 while youare enriched in everything for all liberality, awhich causes thanksgiving through us to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only asupplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they aglorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal bsharing with them and all men,
14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding agrace of God in you.
For as touching the ministering to the saints - In regard to the collection that was to be taken up for the aid of the poor Christians in Judea; see the notes on Romans 15:26; I Corinthians 16:1; 2 Cor. 8.
It is superfluous ... - It is needless to urge that matter on you, because I know that you acknowledge the obligation to do it, and have already purposed it.
For me to write to you - That is, to write more, or to write largely on the subject. It is unnecessary for me to urge arguments why it should be done; and all that is proper is to offer some suggestions in regard to the manner in which it shall be accomplished.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 2 Corinthians 9:1:
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