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

Do you see the wisdom of his counsel? He persuaded them by the example of others, namely the Macedonians: “We make known to you, brethren, the grace of God given to the Churches of Macedonia” (8:1). He persuaded them by their own example: “You not only began to do this, but also desired it since last year” (8:10). He persuaded them by the example of the Lord Himself: “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor” (8:9).

Then again he resorts to the strongest means of persuasion, the example of others, because people are inclined to emulation. The example of the Lord and the promised rewards ought to have affected them more. But since they were still weak, he draws them by the example of those like themselves, for nothing acts so powerfully as emulation.

See in what new form he offers them the same exhortation. He did not say, “Imitate them.” What, then? “Your zeal has encouraged many” (v. 2). What are you saying? You yourself recently said of the Macedonians, “of their own accord, with much entreaty, begging us.” How, then, do you now say, “your zeal,” that of the Corinthians?

“Yes,” the Apostle answers, “we did not advise them, nor persuade them. We only praised you and boasted of you, and this was enough to persuade them.”

Do you see how he stirs them by the mutual example of one another, the Corinthians by the example of the Macedonians, and the Macedonians by the example of the Corinthians? He intensifies this emulation still more by adding great praise.

In order not to give them occasion for pride, he expresses himself with special skill: “and your zeal has encouraged many.” Consider what it would be like for those who were the motivating cause of such generosity for others to fall behind them in beneficence!

This is why he did not say, “Imitate them,” for by those words he would not have stirred such emulation. How did he speak? “They imitated you. You, the teachers, must not prove worse than the disciples.” And see how, in order to stir and inflame them still more, he appears to intervene on their behalf and defend their case, as though there were dispute and contest over it.

Or else: we did not advise them, nor persuade them. We only praised you, and this was enough to persuade them. See how he encourages both the Corinthians by the example of the Macedonians, and the Macedonians by the example of the Corinthians. You, he says, became teachers for them. Therefore, teachers, do not prove worse than your disciples.

According to John Chrysostom, “The Apostle stirs them by the mutual example of one another. They imitated you. You, the teachers, must not prove worse than the disciples.”

He appears to take the greatest part in the Corinthians, though he cares equally for all. The sense of his words is this: I boast of you very much. Therefore, if you prove not to be such, the shame will be common. If, he says, you do not respect me, then think of the Macedonians.

All his care is directed toward having the alms collected quickly and generously. At the end he adds that it should also be cheerful, as goodwill, and not covetousness, which belongs to those who give under compulsion.

Probably the Corinthians were not hastening with the collection of offerings and thought to complete it in Paul’s presence. This was precisely what he feared. Therefore he so persistently urged the Corinthians to hasten with the collection of alms.

For this reason, in the words of Bishop Theophan, the Apostle gathers such considerations for the Corinthians that “in the very course of circumstances there lies an irresistible inducement for them to hasten the collection, and not only to hasten, but also to take care that it not be meager.”

Now he again resorts to the strongest means of persuasion, the example of others, and presents it in an especially compelling form. The example of the Lord and the promised rewards ought to have affected them more. But since they were still weak, he draws them by the example of those like themselves, for nothing acts so powerfully as emulation.

See in what new form he offers them this kind of persuasion. He did not say, ‘Imitate them.’ What, then? ‘Your zeal has stirred up the majority.’ What are you saying? You yourself recently said of the Macedonians that of their own accord, with much entreaty, they begged you to receive their offering. How, then, do you now say, ‘your zeal,’ meaning that of the Corinthians, ‘has stirred them up’?

Yes, he answers, we did not advise them, nor persuade them. We only praised you and boasted of you, and this was enough to persuade them.

Do you see how he stirs them by the mutual example of one another, the Corinthians by the example of the Macedonians, and the Macedonians by the example of the Corinthians? He intensifies this emulation still more by adding great praise.

In order not to give them occasion for pride, he expresses himself with special skill: ‘And your zeal has stirred up the majority.’ Consider what it would be like for those who were the motivating cause of generosity for others to fall behind them in beneficence!

Therefore he did not say, ‘Imitate them,’ for this would not have stirred such emulation. How did he speak? ‘They imitated you. You, the teachers, must not prove worse than the disciples.’ And see how, in order to stir and inflame them still more, he appears to intervene on their behalf and defend their case, as though there were dispute and contest over it” (St. Chrysostom).