John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 9:4

"lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence." — 2 Corinthians 9:4 (ASV)

In this confidence. The Greek term being ὑπόστασις, the Old Interpreter has rendered it substantiam (substance). Erasmus renders it argumentum (subject-matter), but neither is suitable.

Budaeus, however, observes that this term is sometimes taken to mean boldness or confidence, as it is used by Polybius when he says, ὀυχ οὑτω την δύναμιν ὡς τὴν ὑπόστασιν καὶ τόλμαν αὐτοῦ καταπεπληγμένον τῶν εναντίων — “It was not so much his bodily strength, as his boldness and intrepidity, that proved confounding to the enemy.” Hence, ὑποτατικός sometimes means one that is bold and confident.

Now, everyone must see how well this meaning accords with Paul’s thread of discourse. Hence, it appears that other interpreters have, through oversight, fallen into a mistake.