2 Corinthians 9:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints,

NIV: There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord's people.

NASB: For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;

CSB: Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you.

NLT: I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.

KJV: For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

NKJV: Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;

The previous chapter urged the Corinthians to follow through on their year-old commitment: contributing to a collection meant to help Christians in Jerusalem. Paul begins this chapter claiming he should not need to say anything more about the importance of this ministry. After all, as the following verses will show, it was the initial enthusiasm of the Corinthians to donate that helped get the project off the ground. Their commitment motivated other churches to join in.

Though it should not be necessary to write about this ministry, Paul has done so and will continue to do so. He is eager to see them complete what they started.

Second Corinthians 9:1–5 describes Paul's concern: that he and the Corinthians will be embarrassed if he shows up in Corinth to collect their contribution to the Jerusalem Christians and they are not ready. He is sending Titus ahead of himself to help them prepare. They were once enthusiastic about participating in the project. Paul hopes his boasting about the Corinthians—which inspired the Macedonians to give sacrificially—will not prove to have been meaningless.

Paul continues to urge the Corinthians to follow through on their commitment. They had agreed to contribute to a collection for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. They should give willingly, even cheerfully, according to what they had agreed earlier. Not only will they participate with God in meeting the physical needs of others, they will contribute to an overflowing thankfulness to God. They will build a connection with their suffering siblings in Christ that will also bring glory to God. This chapter points out that God expects Christian giving to be faith-based, voluntary, and cheerful—not legalistic, oppressive, or mandatory.

Second Corinthians chapter 9 continues an appeal begun earlier in the letter. Paul urges the Corinthians to participate in the gift to the Jerusalem Christians. Paul is concerned their earlier enthusiasm might have waned. Everyone should give what he or she previously decided to give and do so willingly and cheerfully. God makes those who give generously abound so that they will be able to give even more. The result goes beyond meeting physical needs to increasing God's righteousness on earth, causing thankfulness to Him to overflow, and bringing glory to Him as connections are forged between the givers and those whose needs are met. After this, Paul will return to a defense of his spiritual legitimacy.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

Accessed 5/7/2024 10:26:45 PM