John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 9:1

"For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:" — 2 Corinthians 9:1 (ASV)

This statement may initially seem to fit poorly, or not well enough, with what precedes it, for he appears to speak of a new matter that he had not previously touched upon, while in reality he is pursuing the same subject.

Let the reader, however, observe that Paul is addressing the very same matter he had addressed before. It was not from any lack of confidence that he exhorted the Corinthians, and his admonition is not combined with any reproof regarding the past; rather, he has particular reasons influencing him.

The meaning, then, of what he says now is this: “I do not teach you that it is a duty to provide relief to the saints, for what need would there be for this? For that is sufficiently well known to you, and you have given practical evidence that you are not disposed to fail them. But since I have, by boasting everywhere of your liberality, pledged my credibility along with yours, this consideration will not allow me to refrain from speaking.”

Without this, such anxious concern might have been somewhat offensive to the Corinthians, because they would have thought either that they were being reproached for their laziness or that they were suspected by Paul. By bringing forward, however, a most suitable explanation, he secures for himself the freedom not merely to exhort them without causing offense, but even to urge them from time to time.

Someone, however, may possibly suspect that Paul here pretends what he does not really think. This would be exceedingly absurd. For if he considers them to be sufficiently prepared for doing their duty, why does he apply himself so vigorously to admonish them? And, on the other hand, if he is in doubt about their willingness, why does he declare it unnecessary to admonish them?

Love carries with it these two things—good hope and anxious concern. Never would he have borne such a testimony in favor of the Corinthians if he had not been fully of the mind that he expresses.

He had seen a happy beginning; he had hoped that the further progress of the matter would be corresponding. But as he was well aware of the unsteadiness of the human mind, he could not be too careful in guarding against their turning aside from their pious design.

Ministering. This term might not seem very applicable to those who give of their substance to the poor, since liberality deserves a more splendid designation.

Paul, however, had in view what believers owe to their fellow members. For the members of Christ ought mutually to minister to each other. In this way, when we relieve the brethren, we do nothing more than discharge a ministry that is due to them. On the other hand, to neglect the saints when they are in need of our aid is worse than inhuman, since we defraud them of what is their due.