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9:1 Nam de ministerio, quod fit in sanctos ex abundanti est mihi scribere vobis.
*H For concerning the ministry that is done towards the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.


Ver. 1. The ministry, that is, the contributions for the brethren, so it is also called again, (v. 12.) the ministry of this office, or, as the Greek signifies, of this sacrifice, inasmuch as alms, and such charitable works, are spiritual sacrifices to God. Wi.

9:2 Scio enim promptum animum vestrum : pro quo de vobis glorior apud Macedones. Quoniam et Achaia parata est ab anno praeterito, et vestra aemulatio provocavit plurimos.
*H For I know your forward mind: for which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia also is ready from the year past. And your emulation hath provoked very many.


Ver. 2. That Achaia also was ready. Corinth was the capital of Achaia. S. Paul had formerly exhorted the Macedonians to contribute to the utmost of their power, informing them, that Corinth and all Achaia were prepared a year ago to collect alms, and now the apostle, speaking to the Corinthians, encourages them by the example of the faithful of Macedon, and informs them of the greatness of their charitable contributions, and the greatness of their zeal. Theo.

9:3 Misi autem fratres : ut ne quod gloriamur de vobis, evacuetur in hac parte, ut (quemadmodum dixi) parati sitis :
*H Now I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we boast of concerning you be not made void in this behalf, that (as I have said) you may be ready:


Ver. 3. Titus, and two others.

9:4 ne cum venerint Macedones mecum, et invenerint vos imparatos, erubescamus nos (ut non dicamus vos) in hac substantia.
Lest, when the Macedonians shall come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be ashamed in this matter.
9:5 Necessarium ergo existimavi rogare fratres, ut praeveniant ad vos, et praeparent repromissam benedictionem hanc paratam esse sic, quasi benedictionem, non tamquam avaritiam.
*H Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would go to you before and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing, not as covetousness.


Ver. 5. Not forced from covetousness. Lit. not as avarice, as it were extorted from covetous people, who give unwillingly. Wi.

9:6 Hoc autem dico : qui parce seminat, parce et metet : et qui seminat in benedictionibus, de benedictionibus et metet.
Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings shall also reap blessings.
9:7 Unusquisque, prout destinavit in corde suo, non ex tristitia, aut ex necessitate : hilarem enim datorem diligit Deus.
Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
9:8 Potens est autem Deus omnem gratiam abundare facere in vobis : ut in omnibus semper omnem sufficientiam habentes, abundetis in omne opus bonum,
*H And God is able to make all grace abound in you: that ye always, having all sufficiently in all things, may abound to every good work,


Ver. 8. God is generous to the liberally disposed Christian; filling such as relieve the poor with every species of good, and returning their charities a hundred-fold. M.

9:9 sicut scriptum est : Dispersit, dedit pauperibus : justitia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi.
As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.
* Footnote * Psalms 111 : 9 He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever: his horn shall be exalted in glory.
9:10 Qui autem administrat semen seminanti : et panem ad manducandum praestabit, et multiplicabit semen vestrum, et augebit incrementa frugum justitiae vestrae :
And he that ministereth seed to the sower will both give you bread to eat and will multiply your seed and increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:
9:11 ut in omnibus locupletati abundetis in omnem simplicitatem, quae operatur per nos gratiarum actionem Deo.
*H That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.


Ver. 11-13. All bountifulness, [1] by which is signified, a sincere and free liberality, by giving with a sincere heart, and good intention. S. Paul encourages them to contribute willingly for God's sake, and out of a true charity for their indigent brethren, who will praise, and thank God, and pray for them, &c. Wi.

9:12 Quoniam ministerium hujus officii non solum supplet ea quae desunt sanctis, sed etiam abundat per multas gratiarum actiones in Domino,
Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord.
9:13 per probationem ministerii hujus, glorificantes Deum in obedientia confessionis vestrae, in Evangelium Christi, et simplicitate communicationis in illos, et in omnes,
By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ and for the simplicity of your communicating unto them and unto all.
9:14 et in ipsorum obsecratione pro vobis, desiderantium vos propter eminentem gratiam Dei in vobis.
And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.
9:15 Gratias Deo super inenarrabili dono ejus.
*H Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.


Ver. 15. For his unspeakable gift. Such is the conclusion, which the apostle puts to the subject upon alms-deeds. In the following chapter he proceeds to a new subject; but first thanks the Almighty, that he has enriched the Corinthians with so charitable a disposition. S. Chrys. Theo. and some other commentators think, that by the expression, his unspeakable gift, is meant the incarnation of Christ. The fruit of alms-deeds is the increase of grace in all justice and good works to life everlasting; God granting these blessings for a reward and recompense of charitable works, which therefore are called the seed, (v. 11. supra ) or meritorious cause of these spiritual fruits. B.

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