1 For as concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know your readiness, for which I glory on behalf of you to the Macedonians, that Greece was ready a year ago (see 8:10); and your zeal provoked the majority.
3 Yet I sent the brethren, in order that our glorifying of you should not be made void in this part; in order that, as I was saying, you may be ready:
4 Lest by any means if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, you) should be ashamed in this same confidence boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your blessing, before notified, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6 But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Each one according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. (Cp. Prov. 22:9.)
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to all good work:
9 (As it has been written, "He has scattered (see John 16:32); He has given to the poor: His righteousness remains for ever." (Quoted from Ps. 112:9.)
10 Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister (Gr. chorēgeō. The chorēgeōs was the leader of a chorus, and then came to mean one who defrayed the cost of a chorus at the public festivals. The text puts these 3 verbs in the future, instead of the imperative) bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched (see 1 Cor. 1:5) in every thing to all bountifulness, which works through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only fully supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also though many thanksgivings to God;
13 Whiles by the proof of this ministration they glorify God upon the subjection of your confession (i.e. produced by your confession) unto the gospel of Christ, and for the bountifulness of your fellowship to them, and to all men;
14 And by their prayer on behalf of you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God upon you.
15 Thanks be to God for His that cannot be declared gift. (It cannot be that Paul had in his mind anything less than God's supreme gift, the gift of His Son, of which he speaks on 8:9. He frequently breaks out into thanksgiving in the midst of his epistles. Cp. Rom. 9:5; 11:33,36. 1 Cor. 15:57. Gal. 1:5. Eph. 3:30. 1 Tim. 1:17)