2 Corinthians 9:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But lest he give the impression that they give thanks only because they receive benefits, see how exalted he shows them to be.

"What I said of myself in the Epistle to the Philippians, 'Not that I seek the gift' (4:17), I testify also of them.

"They rejoice that you supply their wants and relieve their poverty. Yet they rejoice still more that you are so obedient to the Gospel, as your generous gifts, commanded by the Gospel, bear witness."

"And for your sincere fellowship with them and with all." "They glorify God also because you are so generous not only to them, but to all."

This thanksgiving to God for what is given to others again serves for their praise. "They not only manage their own affairs well," he says, "but are concerned for those of others, though they themselves are in extreme poverty.

"This shows their lofty virtue. No one is so inclined to envy as the poor. Yet they are pure from this passion. Seeing your benefactions to others, they not only do not envy, but rejoice no less than if they themselves had received them."

"While they pray for you because of their longing for you." "For those others," he says, "they thank God. But for your love toward themselves and for your fellowship, they entreat Him to grant them to see you.

"They desire this not for the sake of your possessions, but in order to see the grace given to you."

Do you see Paul's wisdom? After praising the Corinthians, he attributed everything to God by calling their work grace.

After saying many great things about them, calling them ministers and exalting them to heaven, he now shows that God is the cause of all this.

They ministered to the poor, and he conveyed what they used in ministry. He called them skillful. Now he himself, together with them, raises thanksgiving to God, saying: "Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!" (v. 15).

By gift he means either the many blessings received through almsgiving by those who give and those who receive, or the unspeakable blessings richly given to the whole world through Christ's coming.

The latter should especially be understood here. To humble their pride and make them more generous, he reminds them of what they have received from God.

Such remembrance of God's benefits has special power to move men toward every virtue. Therefore the Apostle also concluded his discourse here with this reminder.

If God's gifts are unsearchable, what can equal the madness of those who strive to comprehend God's essence? Not only are His gifts unsearchable, but the peace by which God reconciled things above with things below surpasses every mind.

Those who see how you received the divine preaching, and how you subjected yourselves to the Master, also notice your generosity toward the saints. This is not only toward those living in Jerusalem, but also toward those dwelling everywhere. They offer doxology to God, the cause of this.

And you will acquire fruit in the prayers offered by them for you, because they love you greatly, having come to know God's generosity toward you.

"The movement of spirit awakened by this service does not stop at thanksgiving. It rises to doxology, which is higher than thanksgiving." The Apostle enters into the thoughts and feelings of the Jerusalemites who receive the benefaction.

He says that they have already turned away from themselves and look at the simplicity, that is, the generosity of your fellowship with all. Seeing in this the glory of the Gospel, they glorify God, since this is not hidden even from unbelievers.

And they not only thank and glorify God, but also pray for you, having loved you because of the surpassing grace of God toward you.

Chrysostom says: "Do you see Paul's wisdom? Having exalted their virtue, he ascribed everything to God when he called their work grace. After saying so much about them, calling them ministers, exalting them to heaven, and calling them proven, he now shows that the cause of all this is God.

"He himself, together with them, offers thanksgiving to God, saying, 'Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.' By gift here he means either the many goods received through almsgiving by both those who receive and those who give, or the goods richly granted to the whole world by the coming of Christ. The latter should be understood especially."

"But if here gift means, in general, the gracious divine economy, then above also it is more fitting to understand the surpassing grace in the same way. He concludes the discourse with a common thanksgiving to God for the indescribable gift in the Lord Jesus Christ. By this one contemplation he covers all other good thoughts" (Bishop Theophan).

This service, he says, not only supplies the needs of the saints. "Do not think that through this you will prosper in only one thing, and serve only the needs of the saints" (Theodoret). "You do not merely fill up the poverty of the saints" (St. Chrysostom). "This service does not only cover the lacks and needs of the saints" (Oecumenius).

Although even this is a very great work, the fruit of almsgiving is not limited to this alone. It also "abounds through many thanksgivings to God." This fruit is better and higher than the first. The first remains on earth, but this one ascends to heaven.

Thanksgiving to God is a simple and single feeling, yet it proceeds from the sense of well-being arranged by God. By unknown paths He stirs hearts to beneficence. He Himself arranges everything so that it reaches the place that He indicates.

How much faith, surrender to God, and clear vision of the divine order of things there is in those who thank God. Such a movement of spirit in the hearts of the faithful whom you help would not exist, he says, without your almsgiving.

As the color of a rose brought into some place not only delights the eyes of those who look, but also spreads a pleasant fragrance far away, so almsgiving abounds in spiritual good. All of this is expressed in thanksgiving to God.

When the Apostle says that the ministry of this service abounds, he means not only that those benefited give many thanks. He also means that, on this occasion, not they alone but many others give thanks. Thus thanksgiving to God spreads everywhere and rises to heaven from every place like the incense of a censer.