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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 For concerning the ministration which is for the saints, it is superfluous my writing to you. |
Ministering to – Some serve and feed and care for the Body as pastors. Others (equally members of the Body and beloved of the Head) support these by their means and by their prayers, and by their influence. R365:5
The saints – The poor saints at Jerusalem--a severe famine had prevailed in the vicinity of Jerusalem, the city was not a commercial one, there was a great deal of opposition to the gospel. R2211:1
Superfluous – Paul's suggestion nearly a year before had been well received and zealously entered upon. R5926:6, 2211:4
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| 2 For I know your readiness, which I boast of as respects you to Macedonians, that Achaia is prepared since a year ago, and the zeal reported of you has stimulated the mass of the brethren2. |
Forwardness – Zeal. R5927:2, 2212:1
At first, the Corinthians did not think of volunteering financial assistance to the Apostle, but later the grace of God gave them a zeal to do something financially in the Lord's service. R5927:2, 2211:6
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| 3 But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect, in order that, as I have said, ye may be prepared; |
In vain – A hint that the work zealously begun might not have been patiently carried out. R5926:6, 2211:4
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| 4 lest haply, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, *we*, that we say not *ye*, may be put to shame in this confidence. |
Come with me – Living at a time when the conveniences for transferring money were very inferior to the very poorest known today, the various congregations could send their gifts only at the hand of the Apostle. R5926:5, 2211:4
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| 5 I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you, and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing, that this may be ready thus as blessing, and not as got out of you. |
Your bounty – Those who have never learned to give, have failed to rightly appreciate one of our choice privileges and pleasures. R365:6, 2511:2
Systematic charity is better than spasmodic giving. (1 Cor. 16:1, 2) The influence upon the rendered unto the Lord. R5926:6, 2211:5
Whereas the rich of Jerusalem were too proud to follow the humble Nazarene, the poor of the Gentiles were too superstitious; so it was the more prosperous element of Corinth which accepted the Gospel. R5926:3, 2211:2
The books of magic which were burned represented a very large amount of money, verifying the fact that the chiefs of Asia were generally quite wealthy and prominent. R2211:2
Whereof ye had notice before – The Apostle waited more than a year before he asked alms of these believers, lest they should get the impression that the gospel was being preached from mercenary motives. R5927:1, 2211:6
He sought not their money but themselves, to do them good. R2212:1
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| 6 But this is true, he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in the spirit of blessing shall reap also in blessing: |
This I say – What Paul says is equally true, whether we sow wild oats or good wheat. R1653:3
Reap also sparingly – An intimation that absolute privation among the Lord's people may mean that at some time in their past life, when possessed of means, they failed to use a portion in the Lord's service. R5927:3, 2212:1
Some are lean of soul because they have not enough love and reverence. Giving the Lord the fag ends of time and influence, and only a dribble of their talents, their sacrifices cannot be acceptable. R2541:5
The present separation will not only gather out the tares, but it will also gather out those that fail to come in fullness of consecration to the Lord, who must therefore pass through the great tribulation. R2541:6
"Sow to the wind, reap the whirlwind" (Hos. 8:7); "Sow iniquity, reap vanit R1653:3
Dig up your talent quickly and make active use of it, lest the King should speedily finish his reckoning with the servants and call you "wicked and slothful." (Matt. 25:26) R547:6
Soweth bountifully – Liberality, in proportion to ability, would in a large degree be an index of love for the Lord and for the gospel. R5927:1, 2211:6
All who appreciate the "good tidings" feel as did the early Church, that it is a thing so precious that they must declare it. R547:3
"The liberal soul shall be made fat." (Prov. 11:25) R5927:2, 2212:1
The Lord is pleased to see his people cultivate breadth of heart as well as of mind. R5927:2, 2212:1
The giving of time, talent, strength, money or influence in the divine service will result in proportionate abounding in the different graces. R5927:5
Malachi 3:10 reproves and chides for the purpose ot in the Lord's service, according to their covenant of self-sacrifice. R2541:6
The tithe obligation was commanded to fleshly Israel, but the house of sons has a mind to consecrate all their possessions; the Lord makes us stewards of all which we sacrifice to him. Go, use; I will judge. R2542:1
The Lord esteems our gifts according to the spirit which prompts them, not the amount; the privilege of giving belongs to even the very poorest of the Lord's people. (Luke 21:1-4) R5927:3, 2212:5
In some instances in Scripture, giving has been restrained: no one should give to the extent of causing privation to his dependents, nor to bring financial bankruptcy upon himself or others. R5927:4, 2212:3
Reap also bountifully – The great blessing which would result from liberality in the Lord's cause. R5927:2, 2212:1
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| 7 each according as he is purposed in his heart; not grievingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. |
Not grudgingly, or of necessity – Giving, to be acceptable in the Lord's sight, must be voluntary--free will offerings--"not of constraint." R2511:2
The work may seem to lag to excite your generosity. R1334:5
Jehovah is not impoverished, and his cause shall not suffer from lack of funds. R450:4
The calls upon us for pecuniary aid were formerly so extensive and burdensome, that when the burden was removed there was a tendency to run to the other extreme and carry no burden at all. R449:2*
Our Father is rich (Hag. 2:8; Psa. 50:10) and will not permit a single one of his saints to go hungry for the bread of life through the unfaithfulness of any of us, yet if we do not improve the privilege granted us, of ministering to the saints, the loss will be ours. R547:3[R547]
A cheerful giver – It is impossible for the Lord's people to grow in the other graces inculcated in his Word without growing also in the grace of benevolence. R2540:3
Very likely, many of the individuals in the Body would, if their attention were called to it, cheerfully contribute that which would be for the growth and perfection of the whole. R449:2*
The original signifies, "The Lord loveth a hilarious (merry) giver." R3448:5
It gives pleasure to each who has contributed even "two mites" that he has helped to preach the "glad tidings of great joy." R547:3
When the glorious import of the good news comes to be understood and fully comprehended, and we accept of the conditions of the "high calling," we then begin our everlasting, blessed and eternal employment of giving. R449:3*
A prompt giver--not merely of money, but of everything. R2951:1
Willing giver. R2511:2
Gifts bestowed in any other spirit might just as well not be given. R2212:4
Such will find no difficulty in finding opportunities for contributing to the work they desire to serve. CR118:2
Otherwise there is no blessing. The gift must be a thank-offering to the giver of every good and perfect gift, or it has no "sweet odor." R5927:5, 2212:4
Money raised by the various begging devices is offensive, unacceptable to the Lord, and does not bring his blessing either upon the givers or the work accomplished. R2511:2
As in Malachi 1:8, we are warned not to bring the t is only "a form" of worship. The fruit of our lips, our service, our money is to be given heartily. R2541:1
We mention this as an aid to self-examination. May we all faithfully judge ourselves regarding the fulfillment of our covenant. R547:3
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| 8 But God is able to make every gracious gift abound towards you, that, having in every way always all-sufficiency, ye may abound to every good work: |
All grace abound – The grace of giving is indissolubly attached to all the other graces of God's spirit. R2540:3
Whoever gives anything in the divine service will find himself proportionately abounding in the different graces. R5927:5, 2212:4
Sufficiency in all things – Not necessarily luxury and every comfort, but "all sufficiency" is gained always where there is "godliness with contentment." (1 Tim. 6:6) R5927:5, 2212:4
We shall never be impoverished while the Almighty God is pouring into the vessel from which we are taking out. R449:6*
After consecration, we no longer ask, "How much should I give to the Lord?" We gave it all to him, and now ask, "How much may I use for myself?" R548:4
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| 9 according as it is written, He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains for ever. |
As it is written – In proof that no new theory is being inculcated Paul quotes from the Psalms (112:9). R5927:5, 2212:4,5
Given to the poor – The new creature is to be on the lookout for the welfare, the interests, the comforts of the weaker and the less able, whereas the self-pleasing world expects the weak to support and uphold the strong. R5926:2
Some are still in want because of famine (Amos 8:11). What a privilege to answing the "meat in due season." Freely receive, freely give the heavenly manna. R548:1
His righteousness remaineth forever – Where a consecrated child of God can do so, it is far better that he should give spiritual gifts and blessings. R5926:6
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| 10 Now he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: |
The fruits – These graces, these fruits grow gradually. R455:2
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| 11 enriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God. |
Being enriched – Not financially, but in heart--rich in hope, faith, love. R5927:5, 2212:5
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| 12 Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God; |
The administration – For our benefit, development, and blessing. R1334:5
It is not the Lord's poverty, but his desire to give us an opportunity to be co-workers with him, that is the cause of the seeming poverty of many of his saints and of his treasury. R548:2
If you have been unfaithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? How can we expect to be entrusted with heavenly things while we set a higher value on earthly things? R450:2, 4*
The want of the saints – The Christians in Jerusalem had suffered economically because of (1) a severe famine, (2) little commerce there, and (3) these brethren had always been poor. R5926:2
The wealthy and learned people of Jerusalem had developed a religious pride; the leaders and theologians could not regard the humble Nazarene and his unlearned followers except as impostors. R2211:2
To strengthen his appeal for the Corinthian brethren's liberality in giving to the saints, Paul reminds them (in the context of these chapters) of the Lord Jesus' gracious favor to them. R1299:1*
It is a privilege to care for the "earthen vessel"; yet more blessed is the feeding of the spiritually hungry with "the bread of life," and clothing them with the "wedding garment" by scattering the truth. R547:6
Unto God – Not offering our sacrifices to "Churchianity"; this is sacrificing to idols. How can spiritual blessings be expected from God, when the reverence and service are rendered to men and to human institutions? R2541:5
Selfishness is our most imminent danger--our greatest enemy. We must arrange our affairs so that we will sacrifice as much of our time, money and influence as possible to be used in the Master's service. R548:3
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| 13 they glorifying God through the proof of this ministration, by reason of your subjection, by profession, to the glad tidings of the Christ, and your free-hearted liberality in communicating towards them and towards all; |
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| 14 and in their supplication for you, full of ardent desire for you, on account of the exceeding grace of God which is upon you. |
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| 15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable free gift. |
Thanks be unto God – Only the consecrated Church is in any sense prepared to give thanks now for the unspeakable gift. Their thanks go up in words and actions, ascending as sweet incense to God as his blessings and mercies abound. HG595:5; R5927:6
By and by, the whole world of mankind, including those awakened from the sleep of death, will be in a condition to recognize God's unspeakable gift, and bow and praise him for it. 5927:6
His unspeakable gift – Eternal life through Christ. E285; NS516:4
Our Savior, our Redeemer. R5927:6
Refuting the teaching that it was Christ's pre-existent life that was sacrificed, many scriptures are used, including 1 Tim. 2:5, 6 ("The man Christ Jesus g R1299:2*
Not called for by divine justice, this gift was prompted by divine love. HG595:4
As a gift to the world, Jesus' merit is beyond the power of tongue to tell. HG594:3
To his footstep followers, the Savior is specially an unspeakable gift of God, leading forth these sons of God, his younger brethren, to glory. HG594:3
Not only as Captain of our salvation, or as Bridegroom, is Jesus the unspeakable gift; but as High Priest, his merit imputed to our sacrifices makes them acceptable. HG594:4
It is impossible to tell the riches of God's grace in this connection--the numberless blessings and mercies which are ours through Jesus. HG593:1
This gift was not compulsory; rather, the Logos entered fully into the transaction. He had absolute faith and delight in doing the Father's will. HG593:2
Only by recognizing that our Lord Jesus is one person and the Heavenly Father another person, can we appreciate how God could give his Son, and how Jesus could consent to be the gift of God. HG592:3
As we discern something of the magnitude of God's great gift, we have the greater desire to be likewise generous with all with whom we have to do, both in temporal and spiritual matters. NS750:2
The thought can only be imperfectly communicated, only imperfectly grasped, and must gradually dawn upon us, grow upon us in appreciation and comprehension. NS516:4
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