Post by stephen on Sept 17, 2023 16:03:36 GMT
“It is superfluous for me to write to you about the offering for the saints” (ch9 v1).
That is, for the church in Jerusalem. He means it ought to be superfluous. Obviously it isn’t, because he spent the previous chapter on this topic.
He has already been boasting about their readiness to the churches of Macedonia, telling them that Achaia (the name of the Roman province of the Peloponnese) was ready twelve months ago. This would have been his way of encouraging the Macedonians to imitate them.
So one reason for sending the advance party of Titus and the rest is to forestall the possible embarrassment of Paul arriving himself in the company of the Macedonian representatives and discovering, in their presence, that his claims about Corinth have been empty. One effect would be that the Macedonians themselves would feel deceived by Paul and he would be humiliated. This can be prevented if the full Corinthian contribution is ready to go when he arrives. Then it can be seen as a willing gift, and not something exacted under obvious pressure. If arm-twisting is necessary, let it be done more kindly by Titus.
Finally, he encourages generosity by dwelling on the rewards of generosity.
Paul wants them to be giving voluntarily, not under a sense of obedience, because “God love a cheerful giver”.
“He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (v9) The Lord will reward those who give. In fact he will provide them with every blessing in abundance, so that, besides having everything they need for themselves, they will also continue to be able to provide for good works. He will increase “the harvest of your righteousness”.
Following on from that, their generosity will bring about many acts of thanksgiving, in this in turn will bring glory to God as the rest of the church recognises their obedience. The rest of the churches will then “long for you and pray for you” in their gratitude.
In summary, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift”.
That is the end of Paul’s message, and he is now ready to wind up the letter in ch13.
The interval is covered by three additional chapters, but his reasons for starting to write again will have to be left for later consideration.
That is, for the church in Jerusalem. He means it ought to be superfluous. Obviously it isn’t, because he spent the previous chapter on this topic.
He has already been boasting about their readiness to the churches of Macedonia, telling them that Achaia (the name of the Roman province of the Peloponnese) was ready twelve months ago. This would have been his way of encouraging the Macedonians to imitate them.
So one reason for sending the advance party of Titus and the rest is to forestall the possible embarrassment of Paul arriving himself in the company of the Macedonian representatives and discovering, in their presence, that his claims about Corinth have been empty. One effect would be that the Macedonians themselves would feel deceived by Paul and he would be humiliated. This can be prevented if the full Corinthian contribution is ready to go when he arrives. Then it can be seen as a willing gift, and not something exacted under obvious pressure. If arm-twisting is necessary, let it be done more kindly by Titus.
Finally, he encourages generosity by dwelling on the rewards of generosity.
Paul wants them to be giving voluntarily, not under a sense of obedience, because “God love a cheerful giver”.
“He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (v9) The Lord will reward those who give. In fact he will provide them with every blessing in abundance, so that, besides having everything they need for themselves, they will also continue to be able to provide for good works. He will increase “the harvest of your righteousness”.
Following on from that, their generosity will bring about many acts of thanksgiving, in this in turn will bring glory to God as the rest of the church recognises their obedience. The rest of the churches will then “long for you and pray for you” in their gratitude.
In summary, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift”.
That is the end of Paul’s message, and he is now ready to wind up the letter in ch13.
The interval is covered by three additional chapters, but his reasons for starting to write again will have to be left for later consideration.