An Exposition of Pauls Epistles, Letter 3 · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX.
HEE goes forward to speak concerning the collection. There are two parts of the Chapter. In the first hee giveth the reasons why hee sent to them, three Brethren assigned, where hee interposeth some arguments to perswade them to hasten the collection to verse 6. In the other hee adds more arguments to move them to give liberally, as it becomes Saints.
Vers. 1. For as touching the ministring to the Saints, it is superfluous for mee to write to you.
That which belongeth to the first part, lest they should ill interpret his sending of those Messengers, as if hee should cherish a suspition of their willingness in this business, hee sheweth, that the cause of sending his Brethren, was not, that they should bee instructed, neither that they should bee made willing to make a collection, because for that it would have been needless to have written, at leastwise to have sent his Brethren to them.
Vers. 2. For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal hath provoked very many.
Hee confirms his words with three Reasons.
I know] Reason 1. Because hee had very well known their willingness of mind before.
I boast] Reason 2. Because hee boasted of their readiness.
Zeal] Reason 3. Because their endeavour in this business had provoked many to the like alacrity and zeal.
Vers. 3. Yet have I sent the Brethren, lest our boasting of you should bee in vain in this behalf, that as I said, yee may bee ready.
Hee propounds five true Reasons why hee sent the Brethren.
Reason 1. That they would prepare for the more speedy conveying of their beneficence, and that now the mony gathered might bee found by the Messengers, as the Apostle had promised in their name.
Lest our rejoycing] Reason 2. Lest the boasting of the Apostle concerning them should bee found in vain.
Vers. 4. Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with mee, and finde you unprepared, wee, (that wee say not, you) should bee ashamed in this same confident boasting.
Reason 3. Following from the former, left both you and I should bee ashamed, if you should bee found unprepared, when I together with the Macedonians (who have heard mee glorying in your behalf) should come unto you.
Vers. 5. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the Brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up before hand your bounty, whereof yee had notice before, that the same might bee ready, as a matter of bounty, not of covetousness.
Reason 4. I have sent unto you the Brethren, that you may bee assisted in your gathering the money by the Brethren, whereby all things may bee more ready.
Not as of covetousness] Reason 5. I have sent unto you the Brethren, who have taken care lest any one in gathering should bee urged to contribute more than hee was willing, and lest covetousness in those that collect, or parsimonie in those that contribute, should appear, but that they which give, may give liberally and freely, and so the whole collection being liberal, may appear at my coming as a blessing.
The Second Part.
Vers. 6. But this I say, Hee which soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly: and hee which soweth bountifully, shall reap bountifully.
The second part of the Chapter follows, wherein hee adds ten arguments, that they would give their alms liberally, and as it becomes Saints.
Argum. 1. Because whosoever shall give, either nothing, or not according to his ability, or not out of the purpose of his heart (which is to sow sparingly) they shall reap also sparingly, i. e. shall get either nothing, or only a temporal reward: Therefore give yee liberally.
Liberally] Argum. 2. Because they which will give liberally, and out of love (which is to sow liberally) shall have a liberal harvest: Therefore give yee liberally.
Vers. 7. Every man according as hee purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
After hee hath expounded what it is to give liberally, or to sow in blessings, (to wit, to give out of purpose of heart, not out of sadness, or out of necessity: For hee which so giveth, giveth sparingly, whatsoever hee giveth, and would give nothing if hee might follow the purpose of his mind.)
Hee adds Argum. 3. God loves a cheerful giver▪ and consequently a sad and unwilling giver, hee neither loveth, nor approveth of, nor blesseth: Therefore give yee liberally and cheerfully.
Vers. 8. And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that yee alwayes having all-sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
Argum. 4. Is tacitly propounded in the solution of an Objection. So far bee it from you, saies hee, that you fear want, if you contribute more plentifully, that on the other side yee may rather expect that God will give you of his Grace and Power enough of temporal things, that not onelyonly you may bee contented with your condition, but also that yee might abound in every good works for the helping of others: Therefore give liberally.
Vers. 9. (As it is written, Hee hath despersed a broad: hee hath given to the poor, his Righteousness remains for ever.
Hee confirms this Argument out of Psal. 112.9. where it is spoken, that the Righteous distributeth his goods, and giveth to the poor, and his Righteousness remaineth for ever; where Argument 5. is insinuated, That it is the property of the righteous man to distribute his goods, and to give to the poor, and that the ordinary blessing of God is upon them, that hee may have further to bestow: Therefore shew your selves righteous by giving liberally.
Vers. 10. Now hee that ministreth Seed to the Sower, both minister Bread for your food, and multiply your Seed sown, and increase the fruit of your righteousness.)
Argum. 6. Included in a wish and a similitude, as God both ministreth Seed to the Husbandman after sowing, and Bread after Harvest; So hee shall both minister fruit out of your sowing, I wish that hee might both encrease your abilities for doing good, and for the bringing forth fruits of Righteousness and Mercy: Therefore do not you doubt to sow in the giving of this Alms.
Vers. 11. Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Arg. 7. Yee being enriched by the Grace of God, and abounding in all liberality, may cause that through us, who observe your charity, thanks may bee given to God: Therefore upon this account give yee liberality.
Vers. 12. For the administration of this service, not onelyonly supplieth the want of the Saints, but is abundant also by thanksgiving unto God.
Hee confirms this Argument from this, that the office of this undertaken Ministery concerning the gathering and contributing this Alms, will not onelyonly supply the necessities of the Saints in Iudea, but will also cause by many Saints, that thanks bee given unto God.
Vers. 13: Whilest by the experiment of this Ministration, they glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men.
Argum. 8. This your liberality will bee a sign of your Faith, and subjection of your obedient mind unto Christ and his Gospel, as also matter of glorifying God; and lastly a sign of your liberality towards all that are poor, when occasion is given: Therefore give yee liberally.
Vers. 14. And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding Grace of God in you.
Argum. 9. The Saints in Iudea cherished by your liberality will pray to God for you: Therefore yee ought to give liberally.
Long after you] Argum. 10. This your liberality will stir up in the holy Jews love towards you, and will cherish a desire of seeing you, and will enkindle in them no small esteem of you, by reason of that eminent Grace of God in you: Bee yee not wanting therefore in this.
Vers. 15. Thanks bee unto God for his unspeakable gift.
As now having his desire, and beholding the manifold fruit of their liberality, which by the Grace of God, it would produce upon their refreshing the Brethren in Iudea, hee thanks God for his gift in the liberality of the Corinthians, which hee could not sufficiently in words declare as it deserved.