2 Corinthians 9:1 Commentary and Bible Study

Paul had first come to the Corinthians a year ago with the needs of the Jerusalem church and had found them to have a very positive attitude about providing relief. He had spoken not only to the Corinthians but to other churches in the region of Achaia and other also had wanted to prepare a gift. Their attitude was so positive that he had boasted of their willingness to the churches of Macedonia and it was this that had prompted the Macedonian churches to also prepare a gift. Nevertheless, a year ago, Achaia had not actually made the collection but only indicated a readiness to do so. Now they needed to follow through with that willingness and turn it into a tangible gift. Paul was confident that they were still willing but not wanting anything to go wrong or for there to be further delay, he was sending those he had already spoken of to make the collection and convey it to Jerusalem. To avoid any embarrassment on Paul’s part they should not delay to make the collection. For their own sake also they should be ready to send the gift lest they bring shame on Paul and on themselves by changing their mind, or by proving that they did not really mean what they said. It is the integrity of the words of the Corinthians that is at stake here.