2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:5

Paul’s Anxiety Over the Corinthian Church SUMMARY OF II CORINTHIANS 1: Salutations. Paul’s Recent Danger in Asia. His Conscientious Sincerity in Preaching the Gospel at Corinth. An Answer to Those Who Criticized His Change of Plans in Coming. to Corinth. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. See PNT 1 Corinthians 1:1. And Timothy [our] brother. Timothy had been sent to Corinth along with the First Letter (1 Corinthians 4:17) and had now returned to Paul. As he had so recently been on a special mission to Corinth, he joins in the salutation. With all the saints who are in all Achaia. That is, in the whole of Greece, Achaia being the Roman name of the province. Corinth was the Roman capital. Hence it seems that other churches already existed in the province. We know of two, Cenchrea (Romans 16:1) and possibly Athens (Acts 17:34).

2 Corinthians 9:6

Grace [be] to you, and peace. See PNT 1 Corinthians 1:3.

2 Corinthians 9:8

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, etc. He who had tribulation and has learned the comfort of faith in God is best fitted to comfort others.

2 Corinthians 9:9

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us. Christ suffers with his saints when they suffer for him. See Acts 9:4,5. Hence, when Paul endured affliction for Christ, “the sufferings of Christ abounded” in him. So our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. Christ comforts those who thus suffer (John 16:2-4). Christ suffers in the person of his servants, but forgets not his promise to be with them always (Matthew 28:20). (PNT 130-131)

2 Corinthians 9:10

And whether we be afflicted. These words concerning suffering are introductory to an allusion to what he had so recently suffered at Ephesus (2 Corinthians 1:8). His example under affliction would help him in affliction to endure, and his deliverance would fill them with hope of a like deliverance.

2 Corinthians 9:12

We would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble. I believe, in opposition to many commentators, that the great trial at Ephesus, caused by Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen, is referred to. See Acts 19:29-38. Asia. The Roman province of Asia, embracing the western part of Asia Minor. Ephesus was its capital. We despaired even of life. It is evident that the record in Acts does not give all the dangers that threatened Paul in Ephesus. His precipitate departure from Ephesus immediately after the riot shows that he was in danger. See Acts 20:1 He was not the man to exaggerate his danger. The allusions here show that he met with extreme peril. See also 1 Corinthians 15:31,32.

2 Corinthians 9:13

We had the sentence of death in ourselves. The meaning seems to be that he felt that the time had come for him to die, and his reprieve from death was, as it were, a resurrection from death by the providence of God.

2 Corinthians 9:14

Who delivered us from so great a death. This points to some remarkable peril and signal deliverance. It is probable Acts 20:30,31 hints at it.

2 Corinthians 9:15

Ye also helping together by prayer for us. He recognizes the aid he had received from the prayers of the Corinthian church raised on his behalf. The prayers of many persons secured the gift of his deliverance. Hence many could give thanks for his escape.