Tyndale Open Study Notes2 Corinthians 9

Two reasons encourage the spirit of love in giving:

1. to follow the example of the Macedonians, who were generous despite their poverty (9:2); and

2. to avoid embarrassing Paul or themselves, as he had praised the Corinthians' generosity to the Macedonians (9:3–5).

To ensure the collection at Corinth is ready on time, Paul will send delegates (8:16–24) ahead to prepare the promised gift.

Paul uses farming to show how generosity pays off. A farmer who wants a big harvest must plant many seeds.

God loves a cheerful giver: The spirit of giving is what matters. Giving cheerfully is different from giving reluctantly (literally out of sorrow) or due to pressure.

As it is written: The quote from Psalm 112:9 assures us that God, who meets all human needs, will reward generosity.

God would match the Corinthians' generosity (9:10–11). Their generosity would help Jewish Christians (9:12), honor God (9:13), and show believers in Jerusalem that their non-Jewish brothers and sisters were true believers (9:13). This would lead to Jewish believers praying for and caring about the non-Jewish believers (9:14). Paul imagined a united, worldwide Christian church made up of both Jewish and non-Jewish believers, all united in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:11–22). This unity would strongly show the Lord's work of bringing people together.