| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
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
“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
“About which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia
was ready”, “Macedonians”: believers in the churches of
“And your zeal has stirred up
the majority”, it indicates that
the zeal of believers in
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
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
(Not
to mention you!) ---- Here, Paul
encourages believers in
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
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 ---- “God…make
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
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
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
“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
“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
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
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
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
J. It makes men glorify God (v.13b);
K. It makes men shall long for those who give
(v
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
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 God
…God 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
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
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
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
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 Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou