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It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
Verse 1. The ministry, that is, the contributions for the brethren, so it is also called again, (verse 12) the ministry of this office, or, as the Greek signifies, of this sacrifice, inasmuch as alms, and such charitable works, are spiritual sacrifices to God. Witham.
for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to those of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for the past year. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
Verse 2. That Achaia also was ready. Corinth was the capital of Achaia. Saint Paul had formerly exhorted the Macedonians to contribute to the utmost of their power, informing them, that Corinth and all Achaia were prepared a year ago to collect alms, and now the apostle, speaking to the Corinthians, encourages them by the example of the faithful of Macedon, and informs them of the greatness of their charitable contributions, and the greatness of their zeal. Theo.
But I have sent the brothers so that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
Verse 3. Titus, and two others.
lest by any means, if anyone from Macedonia comes there with me and finds you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) would be disappointed in this confident boasting.
I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
Verse 5. Not forced from covetousness. Lit. not as avarice, as it were extorted from covetous people, who give unwillingly. Witham.
Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
Verse 8. God is generous to the liberally disposed Christian; filling such as relieve the poor with every species of good, and returning their charities a hundred-fold. Menochius.
As it is written, “He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”
Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.
Verse 11–13. All bountifulness, [1] by which is signified, a sincere and free liberality, by giving with a sincere heart, and good intention. Saint Paul encourages them to contribute willingly for God’s sake, and out of a true charity for their indigent brethren, who will praise, and thank God, and pray for them, and so forth Witham.
For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God,
Verse 11–13. All bountifulness, [1] by which is signified, a sincere and free liberality, by giving with a sincere heart, and good intention. Saint Paul encourages them to contribute willingly for God’s sake, and out of a true charity for their indigent brethren, who will praise, and thank God, and pray for them, and so forth Witham.
seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all,
Verse 11–13. All bountifulness, [1] by which is signified, a sincere and free liberality, by giving with a sincere heart, and good intention. Saint Paul encourages them to contribute willingly for God’s sake, and out of a true charity for their indigent brethren, who will praise, and thank God, and pray for them, and so forth Witham.
while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
Verse 15. For his unspeakable gift. Such is the conclusion, which the apostle puts to the subject upon alms-deeds. In the following chapter he proceeds to a new subject; but first thanks the Almighty, that he has enriched the Corinthians with so charitable a disposition. Saint John Chrysostom Theo. and some other commentators think, that by the expression, his unspeakable gift, is meant the incarnation of Christ. The fruit of alms-deeds is the increase of grace in all justice and good works to life everlasting; God granting these blessings for a reward and recompense of charitable works, which therefore are called the seed, (verse 11. supra) or meritorious cause of these spiritual fruits. B.