Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - 2 Corinthians 9:5 - 9:5
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
5. The threefold προ- is doubtless intentional: he insists that all must be ready before he arrives. Comp. 2Co 13:2 and the repetition of πᾶς in 2Co 9:8.
προεπηγγελμένην. Afore-promised (R.V.); ‘announced beforehand by the Apostle to the Macedonians,’ or perhaps simply ‘promised long ago.’
εὐλογίαν. This also is a word which has gone through various phases. It is used, 1. of praise to God (Rev 7:12), and to men, whether bestowed by God (Gal 3:14; Rom 15:29) or by men (Heb 12:17): 2. of the invocation of blessings (Heb 12:17; Jam 3:10): 3. of a concrete blessing or benefit (Heb 6:7; 1Pe 3:9): 4. of a benefit or gift bestowed by men; which is the meaning here. Comp. Gen 33:11; Jos 15:19; Jdg 1:15; 1Sa 25:27; Eze 34:26. See Westcott on Heb 7:1. Gifts are a blessing both to those who give (Act 20:35) and to those who receive. It is the latter aspect which is indicated here: Corinthian bounty will be a blessing to Palestinian need.
ὡς εὐλογίαν καὶ μὴ ὡς πλεονεξίαν. ‘Give in a generous spirit, and not in a covetous one, keeping back all you can.’ The R.V. substitutes ‘matter of extortion’ for ‘matter of covetousness’ (A.V.), and thus makes εὐλογία refer to the Corinthians, and πλεονεξία to himself and his colleagues, as if they were putting pressure on the Corinthians. But both φειδομένως and ἐπʼ εὐλογίαις in 2Co 9:6 refer to the Corinthians, and φειδομένως is evidently synonymous with ὡς πλεονεξίαν. To give less than one ought to the needy is to disregard the claims of others and have too much oneself; and this is exactly πλεονεξία. Comp. 1Th 2:5; Eph 4:19; Eph 5:3; and see Lightfoot on Col 3:5 and Rom 1:9. Avaritia enim vocatur datio, quae fit tenaci et parco ac tristi animo; benedictio autem, quae fit largo et alacri animo (Herveius Burgidol).