2 Coríntios 9

2 Coríntios 9

Robertson explains is "undetermined, but stated as a lively possibility" which in effect is like "a bold and daring challenge" to the Corinthians if they are lagging behind on their collection! 2Co 9:2 describes the gift as in the state of preparation. In 2Co 9:3 Paul sent brethren to check out their state of preparation so that his boasting about them would not a lot of "hot air." It would be embarrassing for them to come and find the Corinthian collection unprepared. If such a thing came to pass, he would be ashamed at having been so confident in them ("boasting" in 2Co 8:24; "boast" in 2Co 9:2) Both Paul and the Corinthians would in effect have to blush before the Macedonians if they are not prepared. Note Paul's use of "we" and "you" so he is encouraging them to be ready not just for their sake but also for his sake after all the boasting he has done about them! Robertson calls Paul's use of "we...you" "a delicate syntactical turn for what he really has in mind. He does wish that they (NEITHER HE NOR THE CORINTHIANS) become ashamed of not paying their pledges." Constable on Paul's use of find you unprepared - Paul evidently mentioned his intention (TO COME WITH MACEDONIANS) as an added inducement for the Corinthians to complete their collection. 2 Corinthians 9) Colin Kruse points out that "In fact several Macedonians did come to Corinth, and were included among those who accompanied Paul from there on his journey to Jerusalem. Three Macedonians are named: Sopater of Beroea, and Aristarchus and Secundus who were Thessalonians (Acts 20:2-6+). If when these Macedonians arrived in Corinth they were to have found the Christians there unprepared, Paul’s embarrassment would have been acute, exceeded only by the humiliation that would have been experienced by the Corinthians themselves. (Full text of the Tyndale NT Commentary on 2 Corinthians) McShane - What excuse could he offer for their failure? He could not say they had no time to prepare, nor could he say that he arrived unexpectedly and took them by surprise. How thankful he must have been that through this epistle and the delegates who went before him, the disaster was averted, for other writings make plain that the churches of Achaia rose manfully to the occasion and played their part in swelling the funds carried to Jerusalem (Acts 20:2; Rom 15:26). (What the Bible Teaches 1 & 2 Corinthians) Barnett - "So far from opportunistically playing off one church against another, as is often concluded from this passage (ED: APPEALING TO "SPIRITUAL COMPETITIVENESS"), Paul is, rather, seeking to preserve the reputation of the Corinthians in a situation of potential misunderstanding in which they would have lost face." Lowery - If the Corinthian promise to give went unfulfilled, both Paul and the Corinthians themselves would be ashamed in the presence of the less able but more noble Macedonians who might accompany him on his third visit (2 Cor. 13:1). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Zodhiates - In 2 Cor. 9:2f., the Christians of Achaia are said to have been prepared (paraskeúastai) since the previous year to take the collection to the poor in Jerusalem. Corinth belonged to Achaia, yet Paul was afraid lest these Corinthians would be found aparaskeúastoi, unprepared, for this particular benevolent offering and thus be unfavorably exposed to the Macedonians (those of northern Greece) who had shown such generosity in the midst of their poverty (2 Cor. 8:1–5). (The Complete Word Study New Testament) Find (2147) heurisko means learn something previously not known, to find after searching and so to discover (Mt 7:7), to find accidentally or without seeking (Mt 12:44), to experience for oneself and to to obtain or procure (He 9:12). Figuratively, heurisko speaks of a spiritual or intellectual discovery gained through observation = reflection, perception, investigation (Ro 7:21). Because heurisko is such a common verb and has various meanings, always examine the context to help you discern the most appropriate definition. Unprepared (532)(aparaskeuastos from a = negative + paraskeuazo - prepare) means not ready. To find some in a state of unreadiness. Only NT use. 2Co 9:2 describes the gift as in the state of preparation. In 2Co 9:3 Paul sent brethren to check out their state of preparation. It would be shameful for them to come and find the brethren unprepared. Put to shame (disgraced) (2617) Kataischuno from kata = down but here intensifies meaning of verb aischuno = to shame) means primarily to put to shame, to humiliate, to disgrace (1Cor 11:4, 5) and (as used in the present verse) to disappoint or to frustrate one's hope (Ro 9:33-note, Ro 10:11-note, 1Pe 2:6-note). 12 NT Uses - Lk. 13:17; Rom. 5:5; Rom. 9:33; Rom. 10:11; 1 Co. 1:27; 1 Co. 11:4; 1 Co. 11:5; 1 Co. 11:22; 2 Co. 7:14; 2 Co. 9:4; 1 Pet. 2:6; 1 Pet. 3:16 Confidence (5287) hupostasis from hupo/hypo = under + histemi = stand) is a literally a standing or setting under and thus describes a support, a confidence, a steadiness, a foundation (refers to ground on which something is built = the foundation of things for which we hope). Stated another way hupostasis is that which underlies the apparent and which therefore is the reality, the essence or the substance. It came to denote essence, substance or the inner nature and as discussed below is used with that meaning in Hebrews 1:3+. Hupostasis is a very common word from Aristotle on and was used in Greek to describe that which stands under anything such as a building, a contract, a promise. It is common in the papyri in business documents as the basis or guarantee of transactions or with the meaning of a title deed. Robertson on hupostasis - This word, common from Aristotle on, comes from huphistēmi, to place under. It always has the notion of substratum or foundation as here; 2 Cor. 11:17; Hebrews 1:3. The papyri give numerous examples (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary) of the word for "property" in various aspects. So in Hebrews 11:1 "faith is the title-deed of things hoped for." In the LXX it represents fifteen different Hebrew words. (Word Pictures in the New Testament) 2 Corinthians 9:5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness. AMP That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brethren to go to you before I do and make arrangements in advance for this bountiful, promised gift of yours, so that it may be ready, not as an extortion [wrung out of you] but as a generous and willing gift. KJV 2 Corinthians 9:5 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. NET 2 Corinthians 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift and not as something you feel forced to do. BGT 2 Corinthians 9:5 ἀναγκαῖον οὖν ἡγησάμην παρακαλέσαι τοὺς ἀδελφούς, ἵνα προέλθωσιν εἰς ὑμᾶς καὶ προκαταρτίσωσιν τὴν προεπηγγελμένην εὐλογίαν ὑμῶν, ταύτην ἑτοίμην εἶναι οὕτως ὡς εὐλογίαν καὶ μὴ ὡς πλεονεξίαν. NLT 2 Corinthians 9:5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. ESV 2 Corinthians 9:5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. Message - So to make sure there will be no slip up, I’ve recruited these brothers as an advance team to get you and your promised offering all ready before I get there. I want you to have all the time you need to make this offering in your own way. I don’t want anything forced or hurried at the last minute. NIV 2 Corinthians 9:5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. YLT 2 Corinthians 9:5 Necessary, therefore, I thought it to exhort the brethren, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness. ASV 2 Corinthians 9:5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion. CSB 2 Corinthians 9:5 Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion. MIT 2 Corinthians 9:5 I, therefore, considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go forth to you and to organize beforehand your blessing previously promised, that this might be ready as a blessing, and not a cause of coercion. The Living Bible So I have asked these other brothers to arrive ahead of me to see that the gift you promised is on hand and waiting. I want it to be a real gift and not look as if it were being given under pressure. and arrange beforehand : 2Co 8:6 1Co 16:2 your previously promised bountiful gift Ge 33:11 1Sa 25:27 30:26 2Ki 5:15 2 Corinthians 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. Luke 12:15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Matthew 5:42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. Romans 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Galatians 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. HELPING GET THEIR HOUSE IN ORDER! And avoid humiliation! So I thought (hegeomai) it necessary (anagkaios) to urge (parakaleo) the brethren (adelphos) that they would go on ahead (proerchomai) to you and arrange beforehand (prokatartizo) your previously promised (proepaggello) bountiful gift (eulogia) - Notice the three words that convey the sense of "before" (go ahead...arrange beforehand...previously promised) which reveals Paul's earnest desire to make sure their good intentions are proven real. In short Paul places emphasis on "before" so that the Corinthians would have ample notice to collect the collection before the messengers arrived, possibly accompanied by some Macedonian saints! Urge the brethren refers to Paul sensing the possibility the Corinthians might not be ready, and therefore feeling it necessary (anagkaios) to encourage the messengers, Titus and the other two brethren (2Co 8:16-24), to function as an "advance party" (= a small group of soldiers who go ahead of the main body of troops to prepare the way for their arrival, or any group that does the same thing or arrives ahead of the main body). Bountiful gift (eulogia) is literally blessing, Paul's use of this word eulogia (TWICE!) serves to hopefully stir the hearts of the Corinthians to generosity so that the gift was indeed a blessing and not a burden (and not an embarrassment)!