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2 Corinthians Chapter Nine

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Riches of the Liberality

A.   It should be put into practice (v.1-5);

B.   The principle of the liberality ---- not grudgingly or of necessity (v.6-7);

C.   The origin of the liberality ---- the gracious provision of God (v.8-11);

1.    Physically ---- supply and multiply the seed you have sown;

2.    Spiritually ---- increase the fruits of your righteousness;

D.   The result of the liberality (v.12-15);

1.    Supply the needs of the saints (v.12);

2.    Build up the spiritual life (v.12-13);

3.    Glorify God the Father (v.13);

4.    The fellowship of the saints (v.14);

5.    Indescribable gift (v.15);

 

II. Verse by Verse Commentary

 

2Cor. 9:1 Now concerning the ministering to the saints it is superfluous for me to write to you;

YLT: “For indeed concerning the ministration that for the saints it is superfluous for me to write to you ”

Meaning of Words:superfluous”: excessive;

Literal Meaning: “now concerning the ministering to the saints it refers to the money collection to the poor saints in Jerusalem in chapter eight.

“It is superfluous for me to write to you” it means that he needs no longer to write to them to talk about how to do it because: 1) he had already written the letter (see 1Cor. 16:1-4); 2) Paul knows their willingness (see v.2); 3) Titus and the two brothers will come to them (see 8:17-18 23)

 

2Cor. 9:2 for I know your willingness about which I boast of you to the Macedonians that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.

YLT: “for I have known your readiness of mind which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians that Achaia hath been prepared a year ago and the zeal of you did stir up the more part ”

Literal Meaning:for I know your willingness it was because believers in Corinth had early expressed their willingness of presenting the gift to Paul (see 8:10-11).

“About which I boast of you to the Macedonians that Achaia was ready Macedonians”: believers in the churches of Macedonia; “Achaia” it mainly refers to believers in Corinth; “boast of you”: boast of their willingness; “was ready” here it does not means that the money collection is completed but refers to their ready mind.  

 “And your zeal has stirred up the majority” it indicates that the zeal of believers in Corinth has encouraged many money collections.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Paul praises the Macedonians before the Corinthians (2Cor. 8:1-5) and praises also the Corinthians before the Macedonians in order to manifest the testimony of Christ and the sweet odor of Christ thus “stirring up” more to live for Christ. This is what the workers of the Lord should learn.

2)     The good example of one local church can encourage another one.

3)     Being moved is one thing and putting it into practice is another thing. Having the desire to keep the word is one thing and keeping the word is another thing. If we have really been moved inside we should put it into practice. The heart lacking in practice is imperfect before God.

4)     A willing and diligent heart should be coupled with actions without which there will be of no spiritual value.

5)     If we are “zealous” to God this zeal will “stir up the majority” to love the Lord. May the Lord’s love burn us so as to make our hearts love Him diligently and bring many to love Him also.

 

2Cor. 9:3 Yet 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;

YLT: “and I sent the brethren that our boasting on your behalf may not be made vain in this respect; that according as I said ye may be ready ”

Literal Meaning: “yet I have sent the brethren the brethren” refer to Titus and the other two brothers mentioned in the letter (see 8:6 18 22-23).

“That as I said you may be ready” “be ready”: prepare the gift that they promise to give (see v.5). That is to say they complete their readiness to be willing (see 8:11). It does not mean that they prepare as Paul said but that the word of Paul that they have been ready shall be fulfilled.

“Lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect finally the word of Paul had not failed for the money collection had completed before his departing from Achaia and for Jerusalem (see Rom. 15:25).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     When Paul serves the church he sometimes reproaches to warn the church to repent (1Cor. 5:1-2) and sometimes praises them to encourage them go ahead and grow up in life.

2)     Paul speaks with confidence (see v.4) and follows up to fulfill the word. He is a good servant with both spiritual insight and spiritual reality. Today there are some workers of the Lord who can only speak spiritual words but lack spiritual reality. They suspend in the air without touching the heaven or the earth.

 

2Cor. 9:4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.

YLT: “lest if Macedonians may come with me and find you unprepared we -- we may be put to shame (that we say not -- ye) in this same confidence of boasting.”

Meaning of Words : “lest”: perhaps; “confident”: a setting under (support) essence assurance;

Literal Meaning:lest if some Macedonians come with me” there were surely representatives of Macedonians who accompanied Paul (see Acts 20:4).

  “Some Macedonians come with me” it suggests that the two brothers going with Titus (see 8:23) are not native Macedonians.

“And find you unprepared we should be ashamed of this confident boasting” “ashamed”: it is the shame of Paul for he boasts of believers in Corinth through the confidence of them. If they were unprepared their shame would also become that of Paul.

(Not to mention you!) ---- Here Paul encourages believers in Corinth to complete the desire of gift. It is not because he is afraid that their failure in keeping the promise will cause him ashamed but is for the purpose of stirring up their dignity of Christians thus avoiding the embarrassing situation coming upon them.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     The money collection is not done on the spur of the moment but shall be arranged and prepared properly.

2)     Christians have the manner (see Eph. 5:3) as well as the dignity of Christians. Not only does God not want those who believe Him ashamed (see Rom. 9:33; 10:11) but also we ourselves should not let other laugh at us for no reason.

3)     Seriously speaking Paul does not teach believers in Corinth to care about their own faces for losing face is trivial but losing the testimony of the body is serious and losing the delight of God is more serious (see v.7).

 

2Cor. 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time and prepare your generous gift beforehand which you had previously promised that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.

YLT: “Necessary therefore I thought to exhort the brethren that they may go before to you and may make up before your formerly announced blessing that this be ready as a blessing and not as covetousness.”

Meaning of Words:gift”: blessing bounty;

Literal Meaning: “therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time Paul sets the brethren to help them achieve what they had promised lest they should put the gift off again and again without making the money collection complete.

“And prepare your generous gift beforehand which you had previously promised beforehand”: a year ago (see v.2; 8:10); “generous gift which you had previously promised” the saints promised in oral or written form to present a certain sum of money before a certain date so that the ministers of the Lord would easily forecast the total income. Such custom was afterwards applied in many important decisions of the church e.g. buying or building the houses for gathering.

“That it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation” they fulfilled the promised gift according to the set date showing that their devotion was of generosity. In other words if they delayed again and again even though it was fulfilled one day the gift would be exposed as a grudging obligation not as a matter of generosity.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     According to this verse it is biblical that believers should promise a sum of gift beforehand. However one shall pray sufficiently and seek the guidance of God and give according to the measure of faith before promises. This is “according to what one has and not according to what he does not have” (see 8:12).

2)     The willing and generous gifts are blessings to others (see Gen. 33:11; Judge 1:15; Ezek. 34:26; Pro. 11:25).

3)     Love is not a grudging obligation but a living fountain ready to shed out. If we have a willing heart we shall prepare to provide the members at any time.

 

2Cor. 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

YLT: “And this: He who is sowing sparingly sparingly also shall reap; and he who is sowing in blessings in blessings also shall reap;”

Meaning of Words:sparingly”: abstemiously stingily;

Literal Meaning:He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” It is not quoted from the Old Testament. Possibly it is a proverb familiar to all. Here Paul points out the spiritual principle by the natural phenomenon ---- if a farmer sows sparingly he must not expect a big harvest. If we give in a stingy attitude we shall not expect God’s abundant blessings. However if we give generously we must receive riches from God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly” there is one who withholds more than is right but only to want. “And he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”. The liberal soul shall be made fat (Pro. 11:25).

2)     All the money or substances that we have presented for the sake of God are not loss but sowing and will reap in the future. If we are too stingy to be willing to sow for God we will reap little in the future. If we have seen clearly that it is fat and good land in the hands of God and are willing to sow much we will surely reap full harvest from God.

3)     “To give for the purpose of receiving” it is Christians’ principle of managing money. If one hopes to have more income he should give more to God. If he presents little his income will be definitely less.

4)     Money is the seed which can be grown when it is sown. The closer one seizes the money in his hands the less he can possess the money. One shall take out his money and sow it. Therefore when he has need he can reap what he has sown. However one can not reap what he has not sown. If one consumes whatever he has he will have nothing to sow.

5)     The Lord Jesus also teaches us “Give and it shall be given to you; good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over shall be given into your bosom: for with the same measure with which ye mete it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).

6)     In the sight of God whether one is rich is not judged by his possession but by his gifts to others. When we are willing to give our container will be empty in order to inherit more blessings from God.

7)     He who is selfish or stingy is the poorest one. He has not faith and thus lives in the fear of shortage. May the Lord help us to enjoy the life and blessing of giving.

8)     “And he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” though we might reap the material riches we would better not devote in a mind of investment. Simon who used magic arts is our warning example (see Acts 8:18-20).

 

2Cor. 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

YLT: “each one according as he doth purpose in heart not out of sorrow or out of necessity for a cheerful giver doth God love ”

Meaning of Words: “purpose”: choose for oneself before another thing propose; “grudgingly”: grief sadness sorrow; “necessity”: constraint distress; “cheerful”: prompt merry;

Literal Meaning: “so let each one give as he purposes in his heart though everyone does not present the same it is not set flippantly but is decided after thinking it over. In the process of consideration everyone should care for the feeing of his heart. If it is too little he has no peace in conscience. If too much he may be not willing or cheerful.

“Not grudgingly or of necessity; necessity” make the decision under the external pressure; “grudgingly”: be distressful and reluctant after the decision is made;

Here it does not say if one gives grudging or of necessity he shall not devote but that if we have purposed in hearts we need not to be grudgingly or feel of necessity.

“For God loves a cheerful giver” it may be quoted from the Septuagint the Book of Proverbs (22:9) “He that gives cheerfully shall be blessed”. Obviously God cares much for man’s attitude of devotion. If we give the gift cheerfully and generously we shall be blessed by God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     When we believers decide the sum of the money we shall pay attention to our internal feeling ---- seek the guidance of the Spirit in us and hear the voice in our heart and then make a number appropriate in the sight of both “God and men”.

2)     How we work before God and what we shall do are not according to ourselves but according to the guidance of the Spirit in us.

3)     If the spiritual works are done “grudgingly or of necessity” it must be mixed with fleshly labor or man’s works therein. Therefore we should do according to the measure of the grace in us ---- “let each one give as he purposes in his heart” and “God loves a cheerful giver”.

4)     The devotion of money is indeed the way for believers to be blessed. However the motive of devotion is the secret of blessings. If one is not willing to give in love but gives because of necessity or vainglory no matter how much he gives God still not pleases him and his gift.

5)     God does not see the amount of what we have presented but see the degree of our willingness.

6)     If the degree of our willingness of devotion is not high we shall rather present as we purpose in our hearts and keep “the ready mind” than present grudgingly.

 

2Cor. 9:8 And 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.

YLT: “and God able all grace to cause to abound to you that in every thing always all sufficiency having ye may abound to every good work ”

Literal Meaning: “and God is able to make all grace abound toward you all grace” includes spiritual grace and physical grace. Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above (James 1:17).

“That you always having all sufficiency in all things may have an abundance for every good work” the great difference of Christianity with other religions is that our God demands before His supply. However in other religions there is only demand without provision. God makes all grace abound toward us so that we will “always have sufficiency “in all things”. Then we can “have an abundance for every good work”.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God gives us all grace for the purpose of making us have an abundance for every good work. Therefore if we have an abundance for every good work we will receive all grace from God.

2)    Since God gives us spiritual blessings we shall also have good testimony in material things.

3)    What man can give to others is not his own production but is taken out of what is received from God.

4)    That God makes us rich has indicates not only that He makes the grace abound toward us but also the responsibilities that He entrusts to us abound.

5)    If we have enjoyed the grace of the riches of liberality (see 8:1-2) it is due to the abundant grace ---- “Godmake all grace abound…”. Through the rich grace of God He can give every Christian power to do more good generously.

6)    The fruit of our liberality is obtaining more power to do good for God. Such power of doing good things itself is a good gift of God.

7)    The good works of believers are not the condition of receiving grace but the result of being favored.

8)    Devotion is not a responsibility but a right as well as a kind of grace and a gift.

9)    The reason for the scarce devotion of us is: the fear of deficiency after devotion. However God challenges us to ask him for provision through devotion.

10) What we have reaped after sowing is the delight of God as well as all grace of Him so that we will be enlarged in the service of love. That is to say we will be put into more abundant fullness.

 

2Cor. 9:9 As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."

YLT: “(according as it hath been written `He dispersed abroad he gave to the poor his righteousness doth remain to the age ')”

Meaning of Words:dispersed abroad”: scatter; “the poor”: he who does hard works;

Literal Meaning: “as it is written” the following words are quoted from the Book of Psalm (112:9) proving that giving to the poor is the delight of God.

He has dispersed abroad He has given to the poor” “has dispersed abroad”: money is not spent for oneself but given to others especially the poor; and it is not only given to men in one place but everywhere. 

His righteousness endures forever” it has two meanings: 1) though what he has given is money God remembers him (Acts 10:4) and counts it as his righteousness; 2) what he has dispersed can produce eternal effect (see Luke 16:9).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     “What we have dispersed abroad” are merely materials that are corruptible and very transient. However what we have reaped is spiritual “righteousness” that endures forever. It is worthwhile isn’t it?

2)     The generous gift is a righteous act in the sight of God.

3)     God says “Blessed the dead who die in Lord from henceforth … their works follow with them (Rev. 14:13)”. Every penny that we are willing to spend for the Lord has eternal value.

4)     If we are willing to present our money for the Lord our treasure has not decreased indeed and is restored in a different place ---- from the earthly bank to the heavenly bank; and the nature of our deposit is also changed thereby ---- from the physically corruptible one to the eternally incorruptible one.

5)     Money has its usage in this age and it is only the worldly possessions. Christians are those to whom God entrusts His money. When we can use the money we shall put them into eternity.

 

2Cor. 9:10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness

YLT: “and may He who is supplying seed to the sower and bread for food supply and multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness ”

Literal Meaning: “now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food’ it is quoted from the Book of Isaiah (55:10 the Septuagint)

“Supply and multiply the seed you have sown” “the seed you have sown” here it especially refers to our money that can be used to devote;

“And increase the fruits of your righteousness” it is quoted from the Book of Hosea according to its meaning (10:12). “The fruits of your righteousness” it indicates that the devotion of money is of true spiritual meaning and can be regarded as fruits of righteous enduring forever (see v.9).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     “Seed” is given by God and the blessing of the harvest is also bestowed by God. God enables man to give and makes him enjoy the joy of harvest.

2)     We shall present the deed and can enjoy the food. We should never eat the seed as food lest we should have no food later.

3)     God gives “bread for food” ---- the seasonable provision for us; God “supplies seed to the sower” ---- the accumulated grace for us; He not only makes us full ---- “be enriched in everything” but also enables us to be abundant to provide others ---- for all liberality” (v.11).

4)     This verse shows the two great effects of money collection: a) the power of doing good at present increase; 2) the fruits of righteousness in the heaven forever will also increase;

5)     The more we are willing to be faithful servants for the Lord on things of money the more money the Lord will entrust to us just like the Lord has said “For to everyone who has more will be given and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have even what he has will be taken away.” (Matt. 25:29).

6)     If we consider too much for ourselves God has no chance to take care of us. If we are willing to look after others God must look after ourselves also.

 

2Cor. 9:11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

YLT: “in every thing being enriched to all liberality which doth work through us thanksgiving to God ”

Literal Meaning:while you are enriched in everything for all liberality here it is parallel to verse eight “always having all sufficiency in all things may have an abundance for every good work”. “Be enriched in everything it includes spiritual and material riches. Therefore “for all liberality” refers to both liberality in material things as well as provision in spirit.

“Which causes thanksgiving through us to God” “us”: Paul and those who sent the gift with him together. When they gave the gift to the poor saints in Jerusalem there would be more thanksgiving unto God.

This verse indicates that there are two purposes of man’s being enriched by God: a) for more liberality; b) cause thanksgiving to God;

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     In fact God desires His children to be rich in spirit as well as in materials. Therefore that Christians are rich in materials is not sin. We shall not despise those who are rich.

2)     The problem is that many people (including believers) only know of personal pleasure when they become rich and yet forget their responsibilities at all. Therefore to those who are faithful to be stewards of money of God God pleases to let them rich and abundant.

 

2Cor. 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God

YLT: “because the ministration of this service not only is supplying the wants of the saints but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God ”

Meaning of Words: “supply”: make up fill up further furnish fully; “lack”: deficit lack want;

Literal Meaning: “for the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints the administration of this service”: the service in the church of exhorting and managing things of believers’ devotion of money which can produce at least two great effects to both God and men. To men it can help the poor saints so that they will not be in want for God does not desire His children in poverty always.

“But also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God” here it puts forth the effect to God ---- thanksgiving of many people (including those who give as well as who are given) to God will abound.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     In the nations of Europe and America the welfare systems are complete. The normal Christians there are willing to work with their own hands and eat their own bread (see 1Thess. 4:11; 2Thess. 3:12). Therefore they lack nothing. However it is hard to avoid the unfortunate affairs such as disasters or diseases. Then they still need the help of believers abound.

2)     When the saints around us are peace we shall cast our eyes upon saints in other poor areas and give precedence to them for they are our spiritual relatives in the house of God (see 1Tim. 5:8).

3)     Today many so-called church groups carry out the social solicitude activities. The intention is good. However since there are also many poor saints it still puts the cart before the horse.

4)     If one gives the grace obtained from God to others those who are given the grace will turn to God and give their thanks to God ---- this is the condition that the devotion of money should bring about. If the devotion fails to cause thanksgiving to God there may be problems in its motive or manner.

5)     If we are stingy to help the saints we have just deprived their rights of receiving the provision from God as well as the thanksgiving that is supposed to be given to God.

 

2Cor. 9:13 while through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ and for your liberal sharing with them and all men

YLT: “through the proof of this ministration glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the good news of the Christ and the liberality of the fellowship to them and to all ”

Literal Meaning:while through the proof of this ministry they for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ “they” it refers to all the saints in the church in Jerusalem no matter rich or poor. From the gift of the poor saints all of them can obtain a proof that some of the Gentiles faraway are caring for them in the Lord. “Your” that of believers in the church of the Gentiles ---- the reason for their caring for the poor Jewish believers is none other than their faith in Christ and obedience to the gospel and love to brothers and sister who have the same life of God. Therefore they are ready to help them willingly. 

“And for your liberal sharing with them and all men” “them”: the poor saints who received the gift; “all men”: all the saints in the church in Jerusalem or the saints in the churches everywhere. The money collection to some believers in the church is to the whole church (see 1Cor. 12:26).

“Glorify God” this is because God is the origin of all the good things ---- it is God that cares for the poor believers; and it is God that puts the desire into the heart of the one who gives; it is God that provides what is given; it is God that fulfills the whole matter of money collection. Therefore He is worthy of thanks and glory.

The money collection to the poor saints in Jerusalem is a proof to the saints in Jerusalem showing them that the givers are: 1) those who confess Christ; 2) those who obey the gospel of Christ; 3) those who devote much money to the church in Jerusalem; 4) those who glorify God;

The gracious gift of the gentile believers has finally gained the confession of the Jewish believers of the gentile believers’ position in Christ.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     When the saints in a local church present the gift to the poor saints in other places the genuine love of the fellowship of believers is manifested to the churches.

2)     The gift of love enlarges the mind of those who receive and enhances the mutual understanding of one another and widens the fellowship in the Lord.

3)     Though the main purpose of the gospel is delivering the spirit and soul of man from sin and death the basic principle of the gospel is love and sacrifice. Therefore the manifestation of love and taking care of those who are in want are the natural effects of the reception of the gospel.

4)     Christians should see the hands of God from the giving and accepting of money. We shall not pay attention to man or money only but ignore the work and promotion of God.

 

2Cor. 9:14 and by their prayer for you who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.

YLT: “and by their supplication in your behalf longing after you because of the exceeding grace of God upon you;”

Literal Meaning:because of the exceeding grace of God in you” it indicates that our concern for the saints is because of the abundant grace coming upon us.

  “Who long for you”: be drawn by you;

  “And by their prayer for you” prayers or intercessions of the members for one anthers may often produce unexpected effect. Meanwhile God likes to hear the intercessions of the poor saints most.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     The gift of love in the body makes the fellowship of the children of God jointed in spirit.

2)     He who devotes the gift has not only the joy of devotion but also the reward of God to his willingness of devotion. Such reward comes from the prayers of those who have received the gift.

 

2Cor. 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

YLT: “thanks also to God for His unspeakable gift!”

Literal Meaning:indescribable gift”. The gift of God in these two chapter is just too much e.g.: the grace of God bestowed in the churches in Macedonia (see 8:1); the grace and fellowship of the service which to the saints (see 8:4); this grace (see 8:6-7); the grace and fellowship of the service which to the saints (see 8:9); this grace ministered by us (see 8:19); all grace (see v.8); the exceeding grace (see v.14); the word “grace” is the same with the word “gift” in the original.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     He who did not spare His only-begotten Son (John 3:16) but delivered Him up for us all how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things (Rom. 8:32)?

2)     Both of the power of doing good of believers as well as the true oneness of the church are of the gift of God.

3)     If we shall experience the indescribable gift of God the most excellent way will be to give more for it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). The more we devote the more gift shall we receive from God.

4)     The grace of God to us is the source of our good works (see v.8). Since the grace of God is infinite and immeasurable we who have inherited His gift shall not be fussy about the trifles when manifesting His grace to men (see v.14).

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Principles of the Devotion of Money

A.   Not grudgingly or of necessity (v.1 5 7);

B.   One shall fulfill the gift that is promised (v.3-5);

C.   Let each one give as he purposes in his heart (v.7a);

D.   Please God (v.7b);

E.   Look upon the grace of God so that we can give abundantly (v.8 10);

F.    Confess Christ and obey His gospel so that we can present abundantly (v.13);

 

The Effect of the Devotion of Money

A.   The zeal of the one who presents the gift may stir up many people (v.2);

B.   He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (v.6);

C.   We shall obtain all grace of God that abounds toward us so that we shall always have all sufficiency in all things (v.8);

D.   The gift of money is a kind of righteousness that endures forever (v.9);

E.   Our seed will be multiplied by God and the fruits of our righteousness shall be increased (v.10);

F.    God is the origin of gift so the gift will cause thanksgiving to God (v.11);

G.   It supplies the needs of the saints (v.12a);

H.   It is abounding through many thanksgivings to God (v.12b);

I.      It is the proof of this ministry which makes men know that it is out of the obedience of the confession to the gospel of Christ (v.13a);

J.    It makes men glorify God (v.13b);

K.   It makes men shall long for those who give (v.14a);

L.    It makes men remember those who give in spirit and pray for them (v.14b);

 

The Inner Conditions of Those who Give

A.   Willingness (v.2 5 7b);

B.   Zeal (v.2);

C.   Purposes in one’s heart (v.7a);

D.   The exceeding grace of God in them (v.14);

 

Abundance

A.   He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (v.6).

B.   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 (v.8).

C.   supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness (v.11).

D.   Be enriched in everything for all liberality” (v.11);

E.   Be abounding through many thanksgivings to God (v.12);

F.    The obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ and for your liberal sharing with them and all men (v.13);

G.   Because of the exceeding grace of GodGod for His indescribable gift (v.14-15);

 

Ten Blessings of Sowing and Reaping Bountifully

A.   Be a cheerful gives that God loves (v.7);

B.   Have all sufficiency in all things (v.8a);

C.   Have an abundance for every good work (v.8b);

D.   Righteousness endures forever (v.9);

E.   The seed one has sown is multiplied so that his life will become richer (v.10a);

F.    The fruits of one’s righteousness is increased so that his will obtain abundant spiritual morality (v.10b);

G.   For all liberality so as to provide fuller spiritual provision (v.11a);

H.   Encourage others so that many thanksgivings will be abundant to God (v.11b-12);

I.      Provide the proof of the faith and grace so as to encourage more to believer and obey (v.13);

J.    Encourage more to have intercessions for one another and keep the commandment of loving one another (v.14);

 

Three Effects of the Devotion of Money

A.   To oneself: one’s spiritual life is built up and he is blessed before God (v.8-11);

B.   To others: let the life of others be blessed (v.12-14);

C.   To God: glorify the name of God and manifest the grace of God more abundantly (v.11-15).

 

Four Kinds of Good Fruits of the Money Collection

A.   Those who are in want have received what they need (v.12a);

B.   Those who are given will give thanks to God (v.12b);

C.   Those who are given and those who give will enjoy more intimate relationship (v.14);

D.   Men are encouraged because of the willingness of those who give and give thanks to God (v.13);

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou