2 Corinthians 9

8. all grace--even in external goods, and even while ye bestow on others [BENGEL].
that--"in order that." God's gifts are bestowed on us, not that we may have them to ourselves, but that we may the more "abound in good works" to others.
sufficiency--so as not to need the help of others, having yourselves from God "bread for your food" ( 2 Corinthians 9:10 ).
in all things--Greek, "in everything."
every good work--of charity to others, which will be "your seed sown" ( 2 Corinthians 9:10 ).

9. As it is written--realizing the highly blessed character portrayed in Psalms 112:9 .
He--the "good man" ( Psalms 112:5 ).
dispersed--as seed sown with full and open hand, without anxious thought in what direction each grain may fall. It is implied also that he has always what he may disperse [BENGEL]. So in Psalms 112:9 .
the poor--The Greek word is found here only in New Testament, "one in straitened circumstances, who earns his bread by labor." The word usually employed means "one so poor as to live by begging."
his righteousness--Here "beneficence": the evidence of his being righteous before God and man. Compare Deuteronomy 24:13 , Matthew 6:1 , "alms"; Greek, "righteousness."
remaineth--unexhausted and unfailing.

10. Translate, as in Isaiah 55:10 , "He that ministereth (supplieth) seed to the sower and bread for food" (literally, "bread for eating").
minister--rather future, as the oldest manuscripts, "Shall minister (supply) and multiply."
your seed--your means for liberality.
the fruits of your righteousness--the heavenly rewards for your Christian charity ( Matthew 10:42 ). Righteousness shall be itself the reward, even as it is the thing rewarded ( Hosea 10:12 , Matthew 5:6 , 6:33 ).

11. Compare 2 Corinthians 9:8 .
bountifulness--Greek, "single-minded liberality." Translated "simplicity," Romans 12:8 .
causeth through us--literally, "worketh through us"; that is, through our instrumentality as the distributors.
thanksgiving--on the part of the recipients.

12. Greek, "The ministration of this public service (on your part) is not only still further supplying the wants of the saints (besides the supplies from other quarters), but is abounding also (namely, in respect to relieving the necessities of others in poverty) through many thanksgivings to God."

13. by--through occasion of.
experiment--Translate, "the experience" [ELLICOTT and others]. Or, "the experimental proof" of your Christian character, afforded by "this ministration."
they--the recipients.
for your professed subjection--Greek, "for the subjection of your profession"; that is, your subjection in accordance with your profession, in relation to the Gospel. Ye yield yourselves in willing subjection to the Gospel precepts, evinced in acts, as well as in profession.
your liberal distribution--Greek, "the liberality of your contribution in relation to them," &c.

14. Translate, "Themselves also with prayer for you, longing after you on account of the exceeding grace of God (resting) upon you." English Version is, however, good sense: They glorify God ( 2 Corinthians 9:13 ) by the experimental proof, &c., "and by their prayer for you." But the Greek favors the former.

15. his unspeakable gift--the gift of His own Son, which includes all other inferior gifts ( 2 Corinthians 8:9 , Romans 8:32 ). If we have received from God "His unspeakable gift," what great thing is it, if we give a few perishing gifts for His sake?