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1 For as touching the ministring to the Saints, it is superfluous for mee to write to you.
2 For I know the forwardnesse of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a yeere agoe, and your zeale hath prouoked very many.
3 Yet haue I sent the brethren, least our boasting of you should bee in vaine in this behalfe, that as I saide, yee may be readie.
4 Lest happily if they of Macedonia come with mee, & find you vnprepared, wee (that wee say not, you) should bee ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before vnto you, and make vp before hand your bountie, whereof yee had notice before, that the same might bee readie, as a matter of bountie, not of couetousnesse.
6 But this I say, Hee which soweth sparingly, shall reape sparingly: and he which soweth bountifully, shall reape bountifully.
7 Euerie man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him giue; not grudgingly, or of necessitie: for God loueth a cheerefull giuer.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that ye alwayes hauing all sufficiencie in all things, may abound to euery good worke,
9 (As it is written: Hee hath dispersed abroad: Hee hath giuen to the poore: his righteousnesse remaineth for euer.
10 Now he that ministreth seede to the sower, both minister bread for your foode, and multiply your seede sowen, and encrease the fruites of your righteousnesse)
11 Being enriched in euery thing to al bountifulnes, which causeth through vs thankesgiuing to God.
12 For the administration of this seruice, not onely supplieth the want of the Saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgiuings vnto God,
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration, they glorifie God for your professed subiection vnto the Gospel of Christ, and for your liberall distribution vnto them, and vnto all men:
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be vnto God for his vnspeakeable gift.
The reason for sending Titus to collect their alms. (1-5) The Corinthians to be liberal and cheerful, The apostle thanks God for his unspeakable gift. (6-15)1-5 When we would have others do good, we must act toward them prudently and tenderly, and give them time. Christians should consider what is for the credit of their profession, and endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. The duty of ministering to the saints is so plain, that there would seem no need to exhort Christians to it; yet self-love contends so powerfully against the love of Christ, that it is often necessary to stir up their minds by way of remembrance.
6-15 Money bestowed in charity, may to the carnal mind seem thrown away, but when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, from which a valuable increase may be expected. It should be given carefully. Works of charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design. Due thought, as to our circumstances, and those we are about to relieve, will direct our gifts for charitable uses. Help should be given freely, be it more or less; not grudgingly, but cheerfully. While some scatter, and yet increase; others withhold more than is meet, and it tends to poverty. If we had more faith and love, we should waste less on ourselves, and sow more in hope of a plentiful increase. Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased? He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things. He can make us to have enough in all things; and to be content with what we have. God gives not only enough for ourselves, but that also wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and this should be as seed to be sown. We must show the reality of our subjection to the gospel, by works of charity. This will be for the credit of our profession, and to the praise and glory of God. Let us endeavour to copy the example of Christ, being unwearied in doing good, and deeming it more blessed to give than to receive. Blessed be God for the unspeakable gift of his grace, whereby he enables and inclines some of his people to bestow upon others, and others to be grateful for it; and blessed be his glorious name to all eternity, for Jesus Christ, that inestimable gift of his love, through whom this and every other good thing, pertaining to life and godliness, are freely given unto us, beyond all expression, measure, or bounds.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.