2 Corinthians 9:13-15 By the test of character of this ministry, as they glorify God because of the submission of your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your participation for them and for everyone, 14 and their prayers for you longing for you , on account of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The grammar of these verses is complex, revolving around two participles. The focus is on what the “holy ones” of v. 12 experience through the giving of the Corinthians. This experience was a test of the character of the Corinthians. How would they respond to this need? Would they give evidence that they truly and deeply believed in the gospel? Participating in this offering would indicate the level of their faith. This was a ministry, a service to others. God often calls us to step out of our comfort zones and give to others. This is what love is all about. This requires submission to God’s will and calling. This may not be easy and may require some sacrifice.
Paul is closing out his appeal of chs. 8-9 by showing the connection the Corinthians have with other believers. They are in fellowship (koinonias) with others through giving even though they are far away and will likely never meet the others. The Corinthians are not just giving with no reward. This gift will lead the saints to pray for the Corinthians. This is the most valuable reward they could expect. Pray will open up the channel of God’s blessings and will connect the two groups together even more.
The result of the Corinthians’ participation is that God will be glorified. This whole ministry project is an act of grace. God’s grace was working in the Corinthians, helping them to grow and mature in their faith. This collection would grow their faith and trust in God’s promises in Christ. Whenever God is glorified through our obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will experience spiritual growth. If we refuse to participate when called upon by God’s leading, our spirits will begin to shrivel and shrink. Our fellowship with others will suffer as we become closed in to our own selfish wants. Love for God should be shown by love for others, and God may calls us to show this love in tangible ways.
Paul ends this section with a short benediction to God “for his indescribable gift.” What this gift is, is not stated here. God gives us many gifts. The most immediate context of v. 14 suggests that this gift is God’s grace. God’s grace is most fully experienced in the gift of his Son. John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved us that he gave his only begotten Son.” This grace experienced most fully through faith in Jesus Christ is indescribable. It cannot be put into words. The greatest minds of history have contemplated the person, life, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. He was more than a peasant carpenter from a small podunk town. He came as a servant to show us the depth of God’s love. No disease, evil, or force of nature could stop him. He spoke words of authority that changed people’s lives. His death on the cross and resurrection on the third day proved the validity and power of all he ever did and said. Through all of this, Jesus opened the way to God the Father and to live eternal. Even this simple summary assumes so many deep things about “the good news of the Messiah.” The Corinthians could grow in their experience of all of this grace by obediently participating in helping alleviate the needs of those far away.
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