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2Co_9:12. Confirmation of what was just said ἥτις κατεργάζεται κ . τ . λ . by the particular circumstances of the present collection.[291]
ἡ διακονία τῆς λειτουργ . ταύτης ] i.e. the service, which you render by this λειτουργία . And the work of collection is called λειτουργία , in so far as it was to be regarded, according to its destined consecration to God, as a priestly bringing of offering (going to the benefit of the receivers). Comp. on Php_2:17; Php_2:25; Rom_13:6; Rom_15:16. Most others take ἡ διακονία of the service of the apostle, who took charge of the collection ( τὴν λειτουργίαν ταύτην ). But this is at variance with 2Co_9:13, where τῆς διακονίας ταύτης is manifestly equivalent to τῆς διακονίας τῆς λειτ . ταύτ ., and must be understood of the service rendered by the contributors. Hence the activity of those conveying it is not even to be understood as included here (Hofmann).
οὐ μόνον κ . τ . λ .] The emphasis lies on προσαναπληρ . and περισσ ., in which case the expression with ἐστι denotes how the διακονία is as regards its efficacy, not simply what it effects (this would be the simple present of the verb). The service, etc., has not only the supplementing quality, in that it makes up for what the saints lack, but also an abounding, exceedingly blissful quality, in that it calls forth many thanksgivings towards God. Others, like Piscator and Flatt, connect περισσεύουσα τῷ θεῷ : “it contributes much to glorify God;” comp. Hofmann: “it makes for God a rich produce.” Against linguistic usage, since περισσεύει μοί τι means: I have abundance or superfluity in something (Thuc. ii. 65. 9; Dion. Hal. iii. 11; Tob_4:16; Joh_6:13; Luk_9:17; comp. Luk_12:15; Mar_12:44). There must have been used εἰς θεόν or εἰς τὴν δόξαν τοῦ θεοῦ (Rom_5:15; 2Co_4:15).
On προσαναπληρόω , to fill by adding to, comp. 2Co_11:9; Plat. Men. p. 84 D; Diod. v. 71; Athen. 14, p. 654 D; Wis_19:4.
[291] Nowhere has Paul expressed with so deep fervour and so much fulness as here the blissful influence, which his collecting among the Greeks for the Jews was to have on the quickening of the religious fellowship between them.