Fathers

2 Corinthians 9

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It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints, 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. But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared, 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. 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. 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 to all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 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, 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, 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!

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 9:2

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For I know your readiness of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia." Now it was a great thing that he even knew it himself, but much greater, that he also published it to others: for the force it has is greater: for they would not like to be so widely disgraced. Seest thou his wisdom of purpose? …

Homily 19 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

I know myself, he says, of your eagerness, and not only do I know this, but I boast before others that all of Achaia is ready, and not Corinth alone, and that nothing remains except for those collecting alms to come to you. So then, I will be ashamed if my boasts turn out to be in vain and false. Above he says: the Macedonians were willing of themselves and besought us. How then does he now say: "And your zeal has stirred up many"? He did not say: all, but many. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

And the reason for this is because I know your readiness to help them: "My heart is steadfast, O God" (Ps. 108:1). That your mind is ready I prove by two things. First, from our boasting of you, for unless I knew that you were ready for this, I would not have boasted to them about you. Therefore he says, of which, namely, the promptitude of your mind: "For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience" (2 Cor. 1:12); "I have great confidence in you" (2 Cor. 7:4). …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗