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The LXX reads `every liberal soul receives a blessing'. One of the sayings of the
Lord Jesus was `Give, and it shall be given unto you' (Luke 6: 38). As we have seen,
this must not be done grudgingly or by compulsion, as either of these motives will spoil
the gift. It is a cheerful and willing giver that God loves, and here Paul quotes from the
LXX of Prov. 22: 9, "God blesses a man who is cheerful and a giver". One is
reminded of the attitude of David with his gifts for the Lord's house described in
IChron.29: and note verses 14 and 17. Such giving delights the Lord's heart and in
return He multiplies grace and blessing to the donor (II Cor. 9: 8). The Apostle again
quotes from the O.T., namely Psa. 112: 9 concerning the man that fears the Lord and
delights greatly in His commandments (verse 1). God will certainly enrich the generous
giver so that he will have the opportunity of further giving which will lead to further
thanksgiving to the Lord on the part of the recipients.
Not only this, but the love of those who receive the gift will increase towards the
givers as they consider the liberality of the contribution made, and this would stimulate
their prayerful remembrance of the Corinthians (9: 13 and 14) for the exceeding grace of
God which has worked in them to make this practical expression of their generosity and
unselfishness.
The last thought on the subject expressed by Paul is:
"Thanks be to God for His unspeakable Gift" (9: 15).
The Father's gift of His beloved Son is the greatest of all gifts and when one
contemplates the wonder and fullness of this, who can give in a niggardly way? Every
time we support the Lord's work and witness with our gifts of money, the Gift of all gifts
should be constantly before our minds.
The Apostle Paul now changes the subject and deals with his personal ministry and
the opposing minority at Corinth who constantly criticized him. They evidently accused
him of being lowly or humble when with them face to face, but bold (`of good courage')
when at a distance writing letters to them. But he followed One Who was `meek and
lowly at heart' (Matt. 11: 29) and so he ever sought to walk in this spirit, but if they did
not realize this but opposed his apostolic authority, then he would be forced to adopt a
different attitude. Paul was always reluctant to use severity, so he appeals to those who
were confounding his gentleness with timidity to so behave that he may not have to deal
with them severely in person when he visited Corinth. They may say that he was walking
`according to the flesh' (10: 3) but he forcibly reminds them:
". . . . . we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of
the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strong holds); casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (10: 3b, 4, 5 R.V.).
The Christian warfare is a spiritual one and not with flesh and blood (Eph. 6: 12), and
carnal weapons are utterly useless here. Human cleverness, eloquent speech, organizing
ability and propaganda are absolutely unavailing in the task of pulling down the