John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 9:10

"And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:" — 2 Corinthians 9:10 (ASV)

He that supplieth. A beautiful circumlocution, in place of the term God, and full of consolation. For the person who sows seed in the proper season appears when reaping to gather the fruit of his labor and industry, and sowing appears as if it were the fountainhead from which food flows to us. Paul opposes this idea by maintaining that the seed is provided and the food is supplied by the favor of God even to the farmers who sow, and who are looked upon as supporting themselves and others by their efforts. There is a similar statement in Deuteronomy 8:16, 18—

God fed thee with manna—food which thy fathers knew not: lest perhaps when thou hast come into the land which he shall give thee, thou shouldst say, My hand and my strength have gotten me this wealth; for it is the Lord that giveth power to get wealth, etc.

Supply Here there are two different readings, even in the Greek versions. For some manuscripts render the three verbs in the future—will supply, will multiply, will increase. In this way, there would be a confirmation of the foregoing statement, for it is not uncommon for Paul to repeat the same promise in different words, so that it may be better impressed upon people's minds.

In other manuscripts, these words occur in the infinitive mood, and it is well known that the infinitive is sometimes used in place of the optative. I rather prefer this reading, both because it is the more generally received one and because Paul is accustomed to follow up his exhortations with prayers, entreating from God what he had previously comprised in his doctrine; although the former reading would not be unsuitable.

Bread for food He mentions a twofold fruit of the blessing of God upon us—first, that we have sufficiency for ourselves for the support of life; and, secondly, that we have something to lay up for relieving the necessities of others. For as we are not born for ourselves merely, so a Christian ought neither to live to himself, nor lay out what he has, merely for his own use.

Under the terms seed, and fruits of righteousness, he refers to charitable giving. The fruits of righteousness he indirectly contrasts with those returns that most people lay up in cellars, barns, and storehouses, so that each of them may cram in whatever they can gather, indeed, even scrape together, to enrich themselves.

By the former term, he expresses the means of doing good; by the latter, the work itself, or office of love. For righteousness is taken here, by synecdoche, to mean beneficence.

“May God not only supply you with what may be sufficient for everyone’s private use, but also to such an extent that the fountain of your liberality, ever flowing forth, may never be exhausted!”

If, however, it is one part of righteousness—as certainly it is not the least—to relieve the necessities of neighbors, then those who neglect this area of duty must be unrighteous.