2 Corinthians 9:1 - Meaning and Application

In these verses, the apostle speaks to the Corinthians with great respect and care. He seems to excuse himself for urging them so strongly to give generously, yet he still presses the point and shows how much this matter weighed on his heart.

He tells them there is no need to push them with more arguments to help their poor brothers and sisters (2 Corinthians 9:1). He is sure he has already said enough to move people he trusts so much. He knows their eagerness for every good work, and he knows they had started this good work a year earlier. He had also spoken of their zeal to the Macedonians, the believers in Macedonia, and that had stirred many of them to act as well. So he is confident that, since they began well, they will continue well. By praising them for what they had done, he also gives them a strong reason to keep going and not stop partway.

He also seems to explain why he sent Titus and the other brothers to them. He does not want them to feel offended, as if he were pushing too hard or trusting them too little. The real reason was practical and thoughtful. He wanted them to have enough warning so they could be fully ready (2 Corinthians 9:3), instead of being caught off guard by a sudden request when he arrived.

He also wanted to avoid being ashamed of the confidence he had shown in them, if they were not prepared when he came (2 Corinthians 9:3, 2 Corinthians 9:4). He suggests that some people from Macedonia might come with him. If the collection had not been made by then, that would bring shame on him, and also on them, because of what he had said about their readiness. He was careful to protect both their good name and his own. Christians should care about the honor of their faith and do their best to show the beauty of God our Savior’s teaching.