Глава IX

Why was it necessary to send brother collectors to Corinth (1–5). A new exhortation to generosity in almsgiving (6–15). 2 Corinthians 9:1–5. The Apostle sent the aforementioned collection brothers to Corinth so that the Corinthians, upon the arrival of him and some Macedonian Christians, would prepare alms as a completely voluntary giving, not forced to do so by the personal presence of the Apostle Paul. 2 Corinthians 9:1. However, it is unnecessary for me to write to you about helping the saints, 2 Corinthians 9:2. for I know your zeal and I boast of you before the Macedonians that Achaia has been prepared since the past year; and your zeal has encouraged many. The apostle knows that the Corinthians are inclined to give alms; he has already praised them for this before the Macedonian Christians. – Achaia – see 2 Cor.1:1. 2 Corinthians 9:3. I sent my brothers so that my praise of you would not be in vain in this case, but so that you, as I said, would be prepared, 2 Corinthians 9:4. and so that when the Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we will not remain in shame - I do not say “you” - having boasted with such confidence. 2 Corinthians 9:5. Therefore, I considered it necessary to ask the brothers to go to you in advance and take care in advance so that your blessing, already announced, would be ready as a blessing, and not as a tax. Under the influence of the sadness that the letter of the Apostle Paul caused in the Corinthians (2 Cor. 7:9), the collection of alms could stop. In view of this, the Apostle sends brother-collectors to kindle this good deed in Corinth. It was necessary to especially arouse in the hearts of the Corinthians a disposition to collect alms, so that this collection would not seem to them a simple “extortion.” 2 Corinthians 9:6–15. The Apostle takes the opportunity here to speak about the disposition in which alms should be given, and about the power of God, by virtue of which the giver can always be confident that God can always give him the means for generous charity, and, finally, about the benefits that generous alms bring. The Apostle concludes his speech by sending praise to God for His greatest gift, which humanity received in Christ Jesus and which even more encourages Christians to be generous to others. 2 Cor.9:6. With this I will say: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. The apostle, of course, has in mind here the reward that the merciful will receive in heaven (cf. Matthew 5:7). 2 Cor.9:7. Each one should give according to the disposition of his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion; For God loves a cheerful giver. But at the same time there should be no coercion for the propertied class of Christians: God loves and values ​​only those who give voluntarily (quote from the book of Proverbs 22:8 according to the text of the 70. This expression is not found in the original text). 2 Corinthians 9:8. But God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound in every good work, 2 Corinthians 9:9. as it is written: He lavished it, he gave it to the poor: his righteousness endureth forever 10 . To the question of where Christians can find funds for charity if they have already given away what they could, the Apostle answers that God will send them such funds for good deeds. Even in the Old Testament, it is said about the generous giver of alms that “his righteousness,” that is, his righteous deeds, “endures forever” (Ps. 112:9). This means that God will always reward the righteous with external well-being (cf. Ps 112:3). 2 Cor.9:10. But he who gives seed to the sower and bread for food will give abundance to what you sow and will multiply the fruits of your righteousness, Ap. here refers to a saying from the book. Isaiah (Is. 55:10), where the subject in the expression “giving seed”, of course, means “rain.” The prophet compares the goodness and omnipotence of God with rain. The Apostle uses the implied expression “God” as the subject. That God, says the Apostle, who gives the sower seed, also gives the Corinthians the means for doing good, and then “will multiply the fruits of your righteousness” (cf. Hos. 10:12), that is, he will richly reward your disposition towards the poor. 2 Cor.9:11. so that you may be rich in all things, in all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God. The same thought Ap. reveals more fully here. The wealth they received from God would make the Corinthians even more willing to give alms. And how great is the significance of this virtue of generosity! Through it, we weak people arouse in many grateful feelings towards God and, thus, contribute to His glory. 2 Corinthians 9:12. For the work of this ministry not only replenishes the poverty of the saints, but also produces abundant thanksgiving to God in many; A repetition of the thought of verse 11, but with a direct relation to the present circumstances of the Jerusalem Church. 2 Cor.9:13. for, seeing the experience of this service, they glorify God for your obedience to the Gospel of Christ that you profess and for your sincere communication with them and with everyone, In nothing is obedience to the law of the Gospel - the law of love - more clearly reflected than in the generous giving of alms to needy brothers. Through this, evidence is given that philanthropists and the poor are in real communication with each other in spirit. 2 Cor.9:14. praying for you, according to your disposition, for the grace of God that abounds in you. The poor, receiving alms, pray for their benefactors. 2 Corinthians 9:15. Thanks be to God for His ineffable gift! “His gift,” that is, Christ’s (cf. John 4:10; Rom. 5:15). You might be interested in: