Fathers

2 Corinthians 9

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For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 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. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 9:5

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would make up beforehand this your bounty, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty and not of extortion." Again, he resumed the subject in a different manner: and that he may not seem to be saying these things without object, he asserts that the sole reason for this journey was, that they might not be put to shame. Seest thou how his words, "It is superfluous for me to write," were the beginning of advising? …

Homily 19 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Lest he seem to contradict what was said above — "it is superfluous for me to write to you" — while now speaking again about the same thing, he discusses generosity and the completion of the deed with cheerfulness, for which reason, he says, I also sent the brothers. Urging toward two opposite things, namely, that they give abundantly and with cheerfulness, he very wisely transitions to both. For first he speaks of cheerfulness in giving, and then of the other point. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, So I thought it necessary, he urges them to give abundantly. In regard to this he does two things. First, he gives the admonition; secondly, he gives the reason for it (v. 6). He says therefore: lest our boasting be voided and you be put to shame, I thought it necessary to urge the brethren, namely, Titus and Apollos, to go on to you before me, and arrange in advance for this gift [blessing] you have promised, namely, the alms, which is called a blessing because it is a cause of eternal blessedness. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗