1 He yields the reason why, though he knew their forwardness, yet he sent Titus and his brethren beforehand.
6 And he proceeds in stirring them up to a bountiful alms, as being but a kind of sowing of seed,
10 which shall return a great increase to them,
13 and occasion a great sacrifice of thanksgivings unto God.

touching. Ge 27:42 1Sa 20:23 2Ki 22:18 Job 37:23 Ps 45:1 Mt 22:31 Ro 11:28 Php 3:5,6

the ministering. 12-14

See on ch. 8:4 *etc: Ga 2:10 6:10

it is. 1Th 4:9,10 5:1 1Jo 2:27

2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

the forwardness. 8:8,10,19 1Th 1:7

I boast. 8:24

that. 1:1 8:10 1Co 16:15

provoked. 8:8 Heb 10:24

3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

have. 4 7:14 8:6,17-24

ye may. 5 1Co 16:1 *etc: Tit 3:1

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.

they. 2 8:1-5

be ashamed. 8:24 11:17

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

and make. 8:6 1Co 16:2

bounty. Gr. blessing. Ge 33:11 1Sa 25:27 30:26 *marg: 2Ki 5:15

whereof ye had notice before. or, which hath been so much spoken of before.

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

I say. 1Co 1:12 7:29 15:20 Ga 3:17 5:16 Eph 4:17 Col 2:4

He which soweth sparingly. 10 Ps 41:1-3 Pr 11:18,24 19:17 22:9 Ec 11:1,6 Lu 6:38 Lu 19:16-26 Ga 6:7-9 Heb 6:10

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

not. De 15:7-11,14 Pr 23:6-8 Isa 32:5,8 Jas 5:9 1Pe 4:9

God. 8:12 Ex 25:2 35:5 1Ch 29:17 Pr 11:25 22:9 Ac 20:35 Ro 12:8

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:

God. 2Ch 25:9 Ps 84:11 Pr 3:9 10:22 11:24 28:27 Hag 2:8 Mal 3:10 Php 4:18

all grace. 8:19 1Pe 4:10

always. 11 1Ch 29:12-14

may. 8:2,7 Ac 9:36 1Co 15:58 Eph 2:10 Col 1:10 2Th 2:17 2Ti 3:17 Tit 2:14 3:8,14

9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

He hath dispersed. See on Ps 112:9

his. Ps 112:3 Pr 8:18 21:21 Isa 51:8 1Co 13:13 Ga 5:5,6

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

he. Ge 1:11,12 47:19,23,24 Isa 55:10

multiply. 6 Pr 11:18 Ec 11:6 Php 4:17

increase. Ho 10:12 Mt 6:1 Eph 5:9 Php 1:11 1Th 3:12 4:10

11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

enriched. 8:2,3 1Ch 29:12-14 2Ch 31:10 Pr 3:9,10 Mal 3:10,11 1Ti 6:17,18

bountifulness. or, liberality. Gr. simplicity. 8:2 *Gr: Ro 12:8

which. 12 1:11 4:15 8:16,19

12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

the administration. See on. 1 8:4

only. 8:14,15 Php 2:25 4:18,19 Phm 1:4-7 Jas 2:14-16 1Jo 3:17

13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

they. Ps 50:23 Mt 5:16 Joh 15:8 Ac 4:21 11:18 21:19,20 Ga 1:24 1Pe 2:9 4:11

professed. 10:5 Lu 6:46 Ro 10:16 16:26 Heb 5:9

and for. Heb 13:16

14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

by. 1:11 Ezr 6:8-10 Ps 41:1,2 Pr 11:26 Lu 16:9 Php 4:18,19 2Ti 1:16-18

long. 2Sa 13:29 Ro 1:11 Php 1:8 2:26 4:1

the exceeding. 8:1,6,7 1Co 1:4,5 1Ti 1:14

15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Thanks. 11 2:14 1Ch 16:8,35 Ps 30:4,12 92:1 Lu 2:14,38 1Co 15:57 Eph 5:20 Jas 1:17 Re 4:9

his. Isa 9:6 49:6 Joh 1:16 3:16 Ro 6:23 8:32 1Jo 4:9,10 5:11,12