Chapter 9
In this chapter the apostle seems to excuse his earnestness
in pressing the Corinthians to the duty of charity (v. 1-5), and proceeds to
give directions about the acceptable way and manner of performing it, namely,
bountifully, deliberately, and freely; and gives good encouragement for so
doing (v. 6 to the end).
Verses 1-5
In these verses the apostle speaks very respectfully to the
Corinthians, and with great skill; and, while he seems to excuse his urging
them so earnestly to charity, still presses them thereto, and shows how much
his heart was set upon this matter.
I. He tells them it was needless to press them with further
arguments to afford relief to their poor brethren (v. 1), being satisfied he
had said enough already to prevail with those of whom he had so good an
opinion. For, 1. He knew their forwardness to every good work, and how
they had begun this good work a year ago, insomuch that, 2. He had boasted of
their zeal to the Macedonians, and this had provoked many of them to do as they
had done. Wherefore he was persuaded, that, as they had begun well, they would
go on well; and so, commending them for what they had done, he lays an
obligation on them to proceed and persevere.
II. He seems to apologize for sending Titus and the other
brethren to them. He is unwilling they should be offended at him for this, as
if he were too earnest, and pressed too hard upon them; and tells the true
reasons why he sent them, namely, 1. That, having this timely notice, they
might be fully ready (v. 3), and not surprised with hasty demands, when he
should come to them. When we would have others to do that which is good we must
act towards them prudently and tenderly, and give them time. 2. That he might
not be ashamed of his boasting concerning them, if they should be found
unready, v. 3, 4. He intimates that some from Macedonia might haply come
with him: and, if the collection should not then be made, this would make
him, not to say them, ashamed, considering the boasting of the apostle
concerning them. Thus careful was he to preserve their reputation and his own.
Note, Christians should consult the reputation of their profession, and
endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.
Verses 6-15
Here we have,
I. Proper directions to be observed about the right and
acceptable manner of bestowing charity; and it is of great concernment that we
not only do what is required, but do it as is commanded. Now, as to the manner
in which the apostle would have the Corinthians give, observe, 1. It should be
bountifully; this was intimated, v. 5, that a liberal contribution was
expected, a matter of bounty, not what savoured of covetousness; and he offers
to their consideration that men who expect a good return at harvest are not
wont to pinch and spare in sowing their seed, for the return is usually
proportionable to what they sow, v. 6. 2. It should be deliberately Every
man, according as he purposes in his heart, v. 7. Works of charity, like
other good works, should be done with thought and design; whereas some do good
only by accident. They comply, it may be hastily, with the importunity of
others, without any good design, and give more than they intended, and then
repent of it afterwards. Or possibly, had they duly considered all things, they
would have given more. Due deliberation, as to this matter of our own
circumstances, and those of the persons we are about to relieve, will be very
helpful to direct us how liberal we should be in our contributions for
charitable uses. 3. It should be freely, whatever we give, be it more or less: Not
grudgingly, nor of necessity, but cheerfully, v. 7. Persons sometimes will
give merely to satisfy the importunity of those who ask their charity, and what
they give is in a manner squeezed or forced from them, and this unwillingness
spoils all they do. We ought to give more freely than the modesty of some
necessitous persons will allow them to ask: we should not only deal out bread,
but draw out our souls to the hungry, Isa. 58:10. We should give liberally,
with an open hand, and cheerfully, with an open countenance, being glad we have
ability and an opportunity to be charitable.
II. Good encouragement to perform this work of charity in
the manner directed. Here the apostle tells the Corinthians,
1. They themselves would be no losers by what they gave in
charity. This may serve to obviate a secret objection in the minds of many
against this good work who are ready to think they may want what they give
away; but such should consider that what is given to the poor in a right manner
is far from being lost; as the precious seed which is cast into the ground is
not lost, though it is buried there for a time, for it will spring up, and bear
fruit; the sower shall receive it again with increase, v. 6. Such good returns
may those expect who give freely and liberally in charity. For, (1.) God loveth
a cheerful giver (v. 7), and what may not those hope to receive who are the
objects of the divine love? Can a man be a loser by doing that with which God
is pleased? May not such a one be sure that he shall some way or other be a
gainer? Nay, are not the love and favour of God better than all other things, better
than life itself? (2.) God is able to make our charity redound to our
advantage, v. 8. We have no reason to distrust the goodness of God, and surely
we have no reason to question his power; he is able to make all grace abound
towards us, and abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and
temporal good things. He can cause us to have a sufficiency in all things, to
be content with what we have, to make up what we give, to be able to give yet
more: as it is written (Ps. 112:9) concerning the charitable man, He hath
dispersed abroad. He hath given to the poor. His righteousness, that is,
his almsgiving, endureth for ever. The honour of it is lasting, the
reward of it eternal, and he is still able to live comfortably himself and to
give liberally to others. (3.) The apostle puts up a prayer to God in their
behalf that they might be gainers, and not losers, v. 10, 11. Here observe,
[1.] To whom the prayer is made-to God, who ministereth seed to the sower,
who by his providence giveth such an increase of the fruits of the earth that
we have not only bread sufficient to eat for one year, but enough to sow again
for a future supply: or thus, It is God who giveth us not only a competency for
ourselves, but that also wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and so
should be as seed to be sown. [2.] For what he prayeth. There are several
things which he desires for them, namely, that they may have bread for their
food, always a competency for themselves, food convenient,—that God
will multiply their seed sown, that they may still be able to do more
good,—and that there may be an increase of the fruits of righteousness,
that they may reap plentifully, and have the best and most ample returns of
their charity, so as to be enriched in every thing to all bountifulness
(v. 11),—that upon the whole they may find it true that they shall be no
losers, but great gainers. Note, Works of charity are so far from impoverishing
us that they are the proper means truly to enrich us, or make us truly rich.
2. While they would be no losers, the poor distressed saints
would be gainers; for this service would supply their wants, v. 12. If
we have reason to think them to be saints, whom we believe to be of the
household of faith, whose wants are great, how ready should we be to do them
good! Our goodness can not extend unto God, but we should freely extend it to
these excellent ones of the earth, and thus show that we delight in
them.
3. This would redound to the praise and glory of God. Many
thanksgivings would be given to God on this account, by the apostle, and by
those who were employed in this ministration, v. 11. These would bless God, who
had made them happy instruments in so good a work, and rendered them successful
in it. Besides these, others also would be thankful; the poor, who were
supplied in their wants, would not fail to be very thankful to God, and bless
God for them; and all who wished well to the gospel would glorify God for
this experiment, or proof of subjection to the gospel of Christ, and
true love to all men, v. 13. Note, (1.) True Christianity is a subjection to
the gospel, a yielding of ourselves to the commanding influence of its truths
and laws. (2.) We must evince the sincerity of our subjection to the gospel by
works of charity. (3.) This will be for the credit of our profession, and to
the praise and glory of God.
4. Those whose wants were supplied would make the best
return they were able, by sending up many prayers to God for those who had
relieved them, v. 14. And thus should we recompense the kindnesses we receive
when we are not in a capacity of recompensing them in any other way; and, as
this is the only recompence the poor can make, so it is often greatly for the
advantage of the rich.
Lastly, The
apostle concludes this whole matter with this doxology, Thanks be to God for
his unspeakable gift, v. 15. Some think that by this unspeakable gift he
means the gift of grace bestowed on the churches, in making them able and
willing to supply the necessities of the saints, which would be attended with
unspeakable benefit both to the givers and receivers. It should seem rather
that he means Jesus Christ, who is indeed the unspeakable gift of God unto this
world, a gift we have all reason to be very thankful for.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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