◄ 2 Corinthians 9:4 ►
Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--to say nothing of you--would be ashamed of having been so confident.
Study Bible
Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me
Paul references the Macedonians, who were known for their generosity despite their poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-2). This mention serves as a reminder of their exemplary giving, which Paul uses to encourage the Corinthians. The Macedonians were part of the early Christian communities in regions like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, known for their strong faith and support of Paul's ministry (Philippians 4:15-16). The potential visit of Macedonians underscores the unity and accountability within the early church.

and find you unprepared
Paul expresses concern that the Corinthians might not be ready to fulfill their commitment to the collection for the Jerusalem church. This collection was a significant effort to support the impoverished believers in Jerusalem, fostering unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians (Romans 15:26-27). The idea of being "unprepared" suggests a lack of readiness both in terms of the financial gift and spiritual maturity, reflecting the broader theme of preparedness in Christian life (Matthew 25:1-13).

we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed
Paul includes himself in the potential shame, highlighting his personal investment in the Corinthians' spiritual growth and their reputation. Shame in the biblical context often relates to failing to live up to one's commitments or God's standards (Romans 1:16). This phrase emphasizes the communal nature of honor and shame in the ancient world, where the actions of individuals could reflect on the entire community.

of having been so confident
Paul's confidence in the Corinthians was based on their previous eagerness to contribute (2 Corinthians 8:10-11). This confidence is not just in their financial ability but in their spiritual maturity and commitment to the gospel. The potential for shame contrasts with the assurance Paul expressed earlier, serving as a motivational tool to encourage the Corinthians to follow through on their promises. This reflects the broader biblical theme of faithfulness and integrity (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who wrote the letter to the Corinthians, addressing issues of generosity and readiness in giving.

2. Macedonians
Believers from the region of Macedonia, known for their generosity despite their poverty, serving as an example to the Corinthians.

3. Corinthians
The recipients of the letter, a church in Corinth being encouraged to fulfill their commitment to give.

4. Jerusalem Collection
The event or project for which Paul is collecting funds, intended to support the impoverished church in Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
Preparedness in Giving
Christians are encouraged to be prepared and intentional in their giving, reflecting a heart of readiness and commitment.

Avoiding Shame through Integrity
Paul warns against the shame that comes from failing to fulfill promises. Integrity in our commitments, especially in financial matters, is crucial.

The Power of Example
The Macedonians serve as a powerful example of generosity. Believers should look to positive examples within the Christian community to inspire their own actions.

Community and Accountability
The presence of the Macedonians highlights the role of community and accountability in encouraging faithful stewardship and generosity.

Confidence in Christian Witness
Paul’s concern about being ashamed underscores the importance of maintaining a confident and credible Christian witness through our actions.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the example of the Macedonians challenge or inspire your own approach to generosity?

2. In what ways can you prepare yourself to be more intentional and ready in your giving?

3. How does the concept of integrity in financial commitments apply to other areas of your life?

4. What role does community play in holding you accountable to your commitments, and how can you foster this in your church?

5. How can maintaining a confident Christian witness through your actions impact those around you, both believers and non-believers?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Paul previously commends the Macedonians for their generosity, setting a standard for the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Paul gives instructions on the collection for the saints, emphasizing orderly and planned giving.

Philippians 4:15-18
Paul acknowledges the financial support from the Philippians, another Macedonian church, highlighting the importance of partnership in ministry.
Sermons
Liberal GivingA. T. Pierson, D. D.2 Corinthians 9:1-5
Liberal GivingT. H. Robinson, D. D.2 Corinthians 9:1-5
Liberal GivingMonday Club Sermons2 Corinthians 9:1-5
Reference to His Former ArgumentC. Lipscomb 2 Corinthians 9:1-5
People
Corinthians, Macedonians, Paul
Places
Achaia, Corinth, Macedonia
Topics
Anything, Ashamed, Blush, Boasting, Confidence, Confident, Disappointed, Fear, Haply, Humiliated, Lest, Macedonia, Macedonians, Macedo'nians, Nothing, Otherwise, Ready, Respect, Shame, Speak, Unprepared, We-not, Won't, Yourselves, You-will
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Corinthians 9:4

     5914   optimism

Library
December 25 Evening
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.--II COR 9:15. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.--For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

God's Unspeakable Gift
'Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.'--2 COR. ix. 15. It seems strange that there should ever have been any doubt as to what gift it is which evokes this burst of thanksgiving. There is but one of God's many mercies which is worthy of being thus singled out. There is one blazing central sun which shines out amidst all the galaxy of lights which fill the heavens. There is one gift of God which, beyond all others, merits the designation of 'unspeakable.' The gift of Christ draws all other …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Praise for the Gift of Gifts
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."--2 Corinthians 9:15. IN the chapter from which my text is taken, Paul is stirring up the Christians at Corinth to be ready with liberal gifts for the poor saints at Jerusalem. He finishes by reminding them of a greater gift that any they could bring, and by this one short word of praise, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift," he sets all their hearts a-singing. Let men give as liberally as they may, you can always proclaim the value of their …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

3D Day. All-Sufficient Grace.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."--2 COR. ix. 8. All-Sufficient Grace. "All-sufficiency in all things!" Believer! surely thou art "thoroughly furnished!" Grace is no scanty thing, doled out in pittances. It is a glorious treasury, which the key of prayer can always unlock, but never empty. A fountain, "full, flowing, ever flowing, overflowing." Mark these three …
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

Letter Lviii to the Duchess of Lorraine
To the Duchess of Lorraine He thanks her for kindnesses shown, and deters her from an unjust war. I thank God for your pious goodwill which I know that you have towards Him and His servants. For whenever the tiniest little spark of heavenly love is kindled in a worldly heart ennobled with earthly honours, that, without doubt, is God's gift, not man's virtue. For our part we are very glad to avail ourselves of the kind offers made to us of your bounty in your letter. But having heard of the sudden …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

1872-1874. Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher --Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool --Letter to Mrs. Merry --Letter from Canada --Miss
Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher--Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool--Letter to Mrs. Merry--Letter from Canada--Miss Macpherson's return to England-- Letter of cheer for Dr. Barnardo--Removal to Hackney Home. Though human praise is not sought, we cannot but feel peculiar pleasure in giving the following testimony from a servant of the Lord so much revered as the Rev, A. M. W. Christopher of Oxford:-- "Of all the works of Christian benevolence which the great …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Perhaps There is no Book Within the Whole Canon of Scripture So Perplexing and Anomalous...
Perhaps there is no book within the whole canon of Scripture so perplexing and anomalous, at first sight, as that entitled "Ecclesiastes." Its terrible hopelessness, its bold expression of those difficulties with which man is surrounded on every side, the apparent fruitlessness of its quest after good, the unsatisfactory character, from a Christian standpoint, of its conclusion: all these points have made it, at one and the same time, an enigma to the superficial student of the Word, and the arsenal …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate;
OR, THE COMMUNION OF COMMUNICATION. I would cause Thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate."--Song of Solomon viii. 2.And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."--John i. 16. THE SPICED WINE OF MY POMEGRANATE. THE immovable basis of communion having been laid of old in the eternal union which subsisted between Christ and His elect, it only needed a fitting occasion to manifest itself in active development. The Lord Jesus had for ever delighted Himself with the …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

Meditations of the State of a Christian Reconciled to God in Christ,
Now let us see how happy a godly man is in his state of renovation, being reconciled to God in Christ. The godly man whose corrupt nature is renewed by grace in Christ and become a new creature, is blessed in a threefold respect--First, in his life; Secondly, in his death; Thirdly, after death. I. His blessedness during his life is but in part, and that consists in seven things:-- 1. Because he is conceived of the Spirit (John iii. 5), and is born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Church of Christ. "It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is ruth."--1 John v. 6. We now proceed to discuss the work of the Holy Spirit wrought in the Church of Christ. Altho the Son of God has had a Church in the earth from the beginning, yet the Scripture distinguishes between its manifestation before and after Christ. As the acorn, planted in the ground, exists, altho it passes through the two periods of germinating and rooting, and of growing upward and forming trunk and …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Perseverance Proved.
2. I REMARK, that God is able to preserve and keep the true saints from apostacy, in consistency with their liberty: 2 Tim. i. 12: "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Here the apostle expresses the fullest confidence in the ability of Christ to keep him: and indeed, as has been said, it is most manifest that the apostles expected …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Sunday after Ascension Day
Text: First Peter 4, 7-11.[1] 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: 8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves: for love covereth a multitude of sins: 9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring: 10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; 11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

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