Galatians 9

CHAPTER 9

The Service for the Saints (9:1-5)

1-2 In these verses, Paul adds to what he said in 2 Corinthians 8:10 about this service to the saints—that is, the offering (or collection) for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. There is no need for Paul to write any further to the Corinthians about this service, or offering, because he already knows about their eagerness to help (verse 2). At first the Christians in Corinth and the surrounding province of Achaia had been eager to raise this offering. When the Christians in Macedonia saw the Corinthians’ enthusiasm, they too became eager to help.

3-4 Now, Paul says, the Corinthians should complete the work of raising money for the offering; otherwise, all the boasting Paul has done about the Corinthians’ enthusiasm would in the end prove hollow (verse 3); it would prove empty and false. Therefore, Paul is going to send Titus and two brothers to Corinth to help the Corinthians complete the collection. Paul does not want to be ashamed because the Corinthians are not ready to send their offering to Jerusalem.

5 Furthermore, Paul does not want the Corinthians to give their money for the collection grudgingly (see verse 7). Let them give generously from their hearts.

Sowing Generously (9:6-15)

6 Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. Giving our money and possessions for the Lord’s work is like sowing seed in the ground. If we give (sow) generously, God will give to us generously in return (Proverbs 22:9). One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs 11:24-25).

As a man sows, so will he reap. This principle applies not only to material things, but to spiritual things as well—such as forgiveness, judgment, and sin (see Matthew 6:12,14-15; 7:1-2; Galatians 6:7-10 and comments).

Jesus said: “And if anyone gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones … he will certainly not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). But if we selfishly give to others only to gain a reward, we shall lose the reward. We must give unselfishly and generously, without any thought for our own benefit. If we give in this way, God will surely bless us both in this world and the next (see Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 25:34-40; Luke 6:34-35; 14:12-14).

7  The Corinthians should not give reluctantly or under compulsion, but rather from their hearts and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit (see verse 5).

Let us not give in order to obtain praise from men (Matthew 6:1-4 and comment). And certainly let us not say we have given when we haven’t! (see Acts 5:1-11).

Our service, our giving, must be done generously; our acts of mercy must be done cheerfully (Romans 12:8). If when we give we are not happy about it, then we are not giving in the right way. Let us remember Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Jesus said: “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

8 Let us never think that if we give to the Lord we will suffer loss. When a farmer sows seed in the ground, the seed is not lost—it turns into a harvest! God is able to make all grace abound to us—in all things at all times (see Matthew 6:31-33; Philippians 4:19 and comments). What an amazing promise! God be praised!

9 Paul here quotes from Psalm 112:9. When a man gives generously to the poor, his righteousness endures forever.

10 God supplies both the seed and the bread. All things come from God’s grace. As much as we give to others, that much more will God increase [our] store and enlarge the harvest of [our] righteousness. In other words, when we give to others, God will give us both material ²²and spiritual blessings in return.

Let us always remember how great God’s power is (Ephesians 3:20-21). From a tiny seed, God can make a great tree. But we have to let go of that seed; we have to bury it in the ground. If we keep that seed in our pocket, no tree will come from it. In the same way, a small boy once gave away five loaves and two fish to Jesus, and Jesus turned them into a feast for five thousand men! (see Mark 6:35-44).

11 We will be made rich in every way. To the degree that we ourselves are generous toward others, God will make us rich—both spiritually and materially—in every way.

Why will God make us “rich”? He will make us rich so that we can then be more generous, so that we can be generous continuously. The moment we stop being generous, God will stop making us rich!

Paul tells the Corinthians that through us your generosity will result in thanks giving to God. That is, when Paul and his colleagues bring the Corinthians’ offering to Jerusalem, the believers there will thank God for the generosity of the Corinthians.

12 It is necessary to thank other people for their gifts to us. But it is even more necessary to thank God for their gifts, for their generosity. Because all generosity arises out of the grace of God. God gives both the “seed” of generosity and its “harvest.”

13 Through this service (the offering), the Corinthians are giving proof of their obedience that accompanies [their] confession of the gospel. Obedience must always accompany our confession of faith; otherwise, our confession will be shown to be false. To obey the gospel is to give help to our brothers and sisters in need (see James 2:14-17). Such obedience is the proof that our faith is real.

14 Because of the surpassing grace (the grace of generosity) that God has given to the Corinthians, the hearts of the believers in Jerusalem will go out to the Corinthians. The Jewish Christians of Jerusalem and the Gentile Christians of Corinth will be drawn to each other in love. This is why Paul considers this offering to be so important.

15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift—the gift of His grace! But what exactly is the gift of God’s grace? Above all, it is Jesus Christ. All of the grace and blessings of God come to us in Christ (see John 3:16; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 1:3 and comments). Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:11).