II. The Characteristics of Paul's Ministry. 1:8- 7:16
III. The Collection for the poor. 8:1- 9:15
A. The example of Macedonia. 8:1-6
B. The exhortation to follow through. 8:7-15
C. The endorsed messengers 8:16- 9:5
1. For as touching {ie., For concerning} the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous {excessive, unnecessary} for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness {readiness, willingness} of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; {Corinth was in Achaia, 2Cor 8:24} and your zeal hath provoked very many. {cp. Heb 10:24}
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, {Titus and associates, 2Cor 8:6,17-24} lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf {this matter}; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand {ie., prepare in advance} your bounty {beneficial blessing}, whereof ye had notice before {which was fore-announced}, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty {beneficial blessing}, and not as [of] covetousness {extortion, something given unwillingly}.
The willingness of the Corinthian church, to participate in the gift for the Judean believers, had inspired other churches to participate. However, due to the delay (more than a year) and due to the lapse of communication with them, Paul sent Titus to confirm their readiness.
Titus would lead a small group of trusted men, who would precede the arrival of the messengers from the Macedonian churches. This advance group would ensure that the Corinthian church had their contribution prepared in a timely way (perhaps as Paul had previously recommended, in 1Cor 16:1,2).
D. The encouragement. 9:6-15
6. But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. {cp. Luk 6:38; Gal 6:7-9}
{In v.6, 'bountifully' is literally 'upon blessing.'}
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity {ie., under compulsion}: for God loveth a cheerful {GK=hilaros, joyfully ready} giver.
8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work: {This verse connects to v.11 (v.9-10 are parenthetic).}
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
{Verse 9 quotes Psa 112:9, regarding the 'blessed man' who knows God's blessings.}
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower {cp. Isa 55:10,11} both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) {cp. Php 4:14-19}
Verse 10 in NASB: "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness."
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness {ie., generosity, cp. 2Cor 8:1-3}, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. {cp. 2Cor 4:15}
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment {proof, evidence} of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto {ie., for your submission to your confession of} the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal {generous} distribution unto them, and unto all [men];
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. {cp., 2Cor 8:6,7}
15 Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift. {cp. Joh 3:16; Rom 6:23}
As God's people give ourselves and whatever He provides, in service to Him and one another...