Verses 1-15
2. Exhortation and Encouragement.
CHAPTER 9
1. Further Exhortations to Liberality. (2 Corinthians 9:1-5)
2. The Blessings Connected with Giving. (2 Corinthians 9:6-15.)
Again he exhorts them to liberality in giving. He knew their willing mind and had boasted of it to them in Macedonia and told them they were ready a year ago. This had stimulated many. He hoped that they would measure up to this report and fall not behind in this expectation “lest our boasting should be in vain in this behalf.” To encourage them in giving and carrying out what they had purposed, he speaks of the blessing: “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.” There is, then, blessing according to faithfulness in this ministry; as any other faithful ministry is not forgotten of God. Giving must not be grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver. God Himself delights to give. In infinite love He gave His only begotten Son, and He delights in all who imitate Him in His ways. There is no compulsion in giving save the constraint of His love.
“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.” Such a loving ministry is not an unremunerative service. He is able to make up to all who, out of love, minister to the needs of poor and suffering and afflicted brethren. The apostle shows that thanksgiving to God would be the result of their loving ministry in giving. Three causes are specified:
1. Their subjection to the gospel.
2. Their liberal gifts to the Saints of God.
3. “By their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you” - that thanksgiving and glory to God for the fervent and longing prayers of other Saints, who received their ministry.
This section ends with thanksgiving unto God, “for His unspeakable gift.” There is no need to add what that gift is, for every saint knows, God’s unspeakable gift is His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.