2 Corinthians 9:5 Commentary and Bible Study

It is good to see that most of the modern commentaries keep the word ‘bounty’ here. Some say ‘generous gift’ but that is sad because it is not a correct translation. The Greek word is ‘blessing’. Of course it refers to a generous gift, but it is more. One may give because they think it is duty, but a bounty is intended to do someone good. It is not so much a large sum of money, but something designed to do some good. ‘I desire good. I want others to be blessed with the same blessing I have.’ ‘Not as of covetousness’ in other words, not affected by covetousness. The gift was not reduced in size because the givers had all sorts of things that they wanted to purchase for themselves, all sorts of luxuries that they would otherwise have to go without. If giving is left till the last moment, till it is absolutely needed, then it may be that people will be tempted to covetousness while still in possession of money, and spend on themselves what they had pledged to give to others.