2 Corinthians 9:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Had he spoken otherwise, he might perhaps have led them even to obstinacy. See how he acts on them not only by spiritual motives, but also by human ones. “If,” he says, “you take little account of me, firmly hoping that I will forgive you, then think of the Macedonians: ‘lest, if Macedonians come with me, they find you unprepared.’”

He did not say “unwilling,” but “unprepared,” that is, not yet having completed everything. “If even giving late is already shameful, then consider what shame it is not to give alms at all, or to give less than is fitting.”

Then he indicates the consequences that would follow, briefly and with force, saying, “lest we, not to say you, should be put to shame.” And by the words, “in this confident boasting,” he again softens his speech. He does this not to make them careless, but to show that those renowned for other virtues must also be distinguished in this one.

But when he says, “so that we may not be put to shame, not to say you, in this confidence of boasting,” he softens his speech. That is, we shall not be put to shame in everything, but only in the boasting concerning almsgiving. For the rest concerning you is blameless.

He says this not to flatter them, but rather to make them more zealous. Since they are praised in everything, they should not appear unworthy of praise in this also, nor fall beneath themselves.

By the words, “not to say you,” he shows that they will be more put to shame than he, for this is their sin. By “matter” he means the ground, or the work itself, or the substance of the boasting.

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.”

“See how he acts on them not only by spiritual motives, but also by human ones. If, he says, you do not respect me, then think of the Macedonians, ‘lest, if they come with me, they find you’—he did not say unwilling, but ‘unprepared,’ that is, not having completed everything. If even giving late is already shameful, then consider what shame it is not to give alms at all, or to give less than is fitting. Then he speaks of the consequences briefly and with force: ‘lest we be put to shame,’ not to say you. By the words, ‘in this matter of boasting,’ he again softens his speech. He does this not to make them secure, but to show that those renowned for other virtues must also be distinguished in this virtue” (St. Chrysostom).