9:1,2By describing how their own “enthusiasm” had incited the Macedonians to give, Paul was, in effect, prodding the Corinthians to rekindle their initial enthusiasm for giving. Paul wasn’t naive about human behavior. The start and end of a marathon are much more thrilling than the miles in between. It takes stubborn determination to keep going. Paul also knew that it took a community to persevere. Just as teammates will cheer their runner on in a race, so Pau! was sending Titus and two other believers to the Corinthians to cheer them on.
Life Application Study Bible2 CorinthiansChapter 9
2 Corinthians 9
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1972, 1973
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
92 Corinthians 9
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
1Ireally don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.* 2For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece* were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. 3But 1 am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren't ready after all I had told them! 5So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. 6Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”* 8And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever."* 10For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity* in you. 11Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 13Asa result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 4And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15Thank God for this gift* too wonderful for words! 4. Paul defends his authority
Textual footnotes
Life Application Notes 6 notes
9:3-5Paul reminded the Corinthians to fulfill the commitment that they had already made (see also 8:10-12). They had said that they wouid collect a financial gift to send to the church in Jerusalem. Paul was sending a few men ahead of him to make sure their gift was ready, So it would be a real gift and not look like people had to give under pressure at the last minute. He was holding them accountable to keep their promise, so that neither Paul nor the Corinthians would be embarrassed.
9:6-8People may hesitate to give generously to God because they worry about having enough money left over to meet their own needs. Paul assured the Corinthians that God was able to meet their needs. The person who gives only a little will receive only a little in return. Don’t let a lack of faith keep you from giving cheerfully and generously.
9:7A giving attitude is more important than the amount given. The person who can give only a small gift shouldn't be embarrassed. God is concerned about fowa person gives from his or her resources (see Mark 12:41-44). According to that standard, the giving of the Macedonian churches would be difficult to match (8:3). God himself is a cheerful giver. Consider all he has done for us. He is pleased when we who are created in his image give generously and joyfully. Do you have a difficult time letting go of your money? It may reflect ungratefulness to God.
9:10God gives us resources to use and invest for him. Paul uses the illustration of seed to explain that the resources God gives us are not to be hidden, foolishly devoured, or thrown away. Instead, they should be cultivated in order to produce More crops. When we invest what God has given us in his work, he will provide us with even more to give in his service.
9:13Paul wanted his readers to be generous on every occasion. As he appealed to the Corinthians to give sacrificially to aid the Jerusalem congregation, he reminded them that God is the source of everything good (9:10). Believers are called ta be generous because of the example of the LORD of life. A stingy Christian
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 1973
RAISING FUNDS HONORABLY
Be dedicated to God
Be accountable
Provide information............
Show definite purpose and goal... 8:4
Be enthusiastic................ 8:7, 8, 11
Reveal honesty and integrity.....
Let people give willingly............ 9:7
Be generous yourselves............ 8:7
Have someone to keep it moving..... 8:18-22 Be persistent, trusting God to provide.. 8:2ff
The topic of fund-raising is not one to be avoided or one that should embarrass us, but all fund-raising efforts should be planned and conducted responsibly.
should be an extinct species. Generosity proves that a person's heart has been cleansed of self-interest and filled with the servant Spirit of Jesus himself. That is why acts of generosity result in God being praised. Do neighbors see generosity in your actions? 10:1, 2 Paul's opponents questioned his authority. From 7:8-16 we know that the majority of Corinthian believers sided with Paul. However, a minority continued to slander him, saying that he was bold in his letters but had no authority in person. Chapters 10-13 are Paul's response to this charge. 10:3-6 We, like Paul, are merely weak humans, but we don’t need to use human plans and methods to win our battles. God’s Mighty weapons are available to us as we fight against the devil's “strongholds.” The Christian must choose whose methods to use—God’s or the world’s. Paul assures us that God’s Mighty weapons—prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit—are powerful and effective (see Ephesians 6:13-18)! These weapons can break down the proud human arguments against God and the walls that Satan builds to keep people from finding God. When deating with people's proud arguments that keep them from a relationship with Christ, we may be tempted to use our own methods. But nothing can break down these barriers like God's weapons. 10:5 Paul uses military terminology to describe this warfare against sin and Satan. God must be the commander in chief— ven our thoughts must be submitted to his control as we live for him. Spirit-empowered believers must capture every thought and yield it to Christ. When exposed to ideas or opportunities that might lead to wrong desires, you have a choice. You can fecognize the danger and turn away, or you can allow unhealthy thoughts to take you captive. You capture your fantasies and
desires when you honestly admit them to the LORD and ask him to redirect your thinking. Ask God to give you the spirit of discernment to keep your thoughts focused on his truth. 10:7-10 Those who opposed Paul portrayed him as weak and powerless, but Paul reminded the Corinthians that he had been given authority by the LORD. False teachers were encouraging the believers to ignore Paul, but Paui explained that the advice in his letters was to be taken seriously. He had authority because he and his companions had been the first to bring the Good News to Corinth (10:14). Everyone knew that because of this service, their faith had been built up. 10:19 Some said that Paul's speaking amounted to nothing. Greece was known for its eloquent and persuasive orators. Evidently, some were judging Paul by comparing him to other speakers they had heard, and Paul was perhaps not the most powerful preacher (although he was an excellent debater). But Paul responded obediently to God’s cail and thus introduced Christianity to the Roman Empire. Moses and Jeremiah also had problems with speaking (see Exodus 4:10-12; Jeremiah 1:6). Preaching ability is not the first prerequisite of a great leader! 10:12, 13 Paul criticized the false teachers who were trying to prove their goodness by comparing themselves with others rather than with God’s standards. When we compare ourselves with others, we may feel proud because we think we’re better. But when we measure ourselves against God’s standards, it becomes obvious that we have no basis for pride. Don't worry about other people’s accomplishments. Instead, ask yourself: How does my life measure up to what God wants? How does my life compare to that of Jesus Christ?