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Passage 1: 2 Kings 11-12

(2Ki 11:1) Then Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah when she saw that her sonne was dead, she arose, and destroyed all the Kings seede.

(Notes Reference) And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the (a) seed royal.

(a) Meaning, all the posterity of Jehoshaphat, to whom the kingdom belonged: thus God used the cruelty of this woman to destroy the family of Ahab.

(2Ki 11:2) But Iehosheba the daughter of King Ioram, and sister to Ahaziah tooke Ioash the sonne of Ahaziah, and stale him from among the Kings sonnes that shoulde be slaine, both him and his nource, keeping them in the bed chaber, and they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slaine.

(Notes Reference) But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, (b) took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons [which were] slain; and they hid him, [even] him and his nurse, in (c) the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.

(b) The Lord promised to maintain the family of David, and not to quench the light of it, therefore he moved the heart of Jehosheba to preserve him.

(c) Where the priests slept.

(2Ki 11:3) And he was with her hid in the house of the Lord sixe yeere: and Athaliah did reigne ouer the land.

(2Ki 11:4) And the seuenth yeere Iehoiada sent and tooke the captaines ouer hundreths, with other captaines and them of the garde, and caused them to come vnto him into the house of the Lord, and made a couenant with them, and tooke an othe of them in the house of the Lord, and shewed them the Kings sonne.

(Notes Reference) And the seventh year (d) Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.

(d) The chief priest, Jehosheba's husband.

(2Ki 11:5) And he commanded them, saying, This is it that ye must doe, The third part of you, that commeth on the Sabbath, shall warde towarde the Kings house:

(Notes Reference) And he commanded them, saying, This [is] the thing that ye shall do; A third part of (e) you that enter in on the sabbath shall (f) even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;

(e) Of the Levites, who had charge of the keeping of the temple, and kept watch by course.

(f) That no one should come on them, while they were crowning the king.

(2Ki 11:6) And another third part in the gate of Sur: and another thirde part in the gate behinde them of the garde: and ye shall keepe watche in the house of Massah.

(Notes Reference) And a third part [shall be] at the gate of (g) Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.

(g) Called the east gate of the temple, (2Ch 23:5).

(2Ki 11:7) And two parts of you, that is, all that goe out on the Sabbath day, shall keepe the watch of the house of the Lord about the King.

(Notes Reference) And two parts of all you that (h) go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.

(h) Whose charge is ended.

(2Ki 11:8) And ye shall compasse the King rounde about, euery man with his weapon in his hande, and whosoeuer commeth within the ranges, let him be slayne: be you with the King, as he goeth out and in.

(2Ki 11:9) And the captaines of the hundreths did according to all that Iehoiada the Priest commaded, and they tooke euery man his men that entred in to their charge on the Sabbath with them that went out of it on the Sabbath, and came to Iehoiada the Priest.

(Notes Reference) And the captains over the hundreds did according to all [things] that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the (i) sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.

(i) Read (2Ki 11:5, 2Ki 11:7).

(2Ki 11:10) And the Priest gaue to the captaines of hundreths the speares and the shieldes that were King Dauids, and were in the house of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And to the captains over hundreds did the (k) priest give king David's spears and shields, that [were] in the temple of the LORD.

(k) That is, Jehoiada.

(2Ki 11:11) And the garde stoode, euery man with his weapon in his hande, from the right side of the house to the left side, about the altar and about the house, round about the King.

(2Ki 11:12) Then he brought out the Kings sonne, and put the crowne vpon him and gaue him the Testimonie, and they made him King: also they anoynted him, and clapt their handes, and sayde, God saue the King.

(Notes Reference) And he brought forth (l) the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and [gave him] (m) the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.

(l) That is, Joash, who had been kept secret six years.

(m) Meaning, the law of God, which is his chief charge, and by which only his throne is established.

(2Ki 11:13) And when Athaliah heard the noyse of the running of the people, shee came in to the people in the house of the Lord.

(2Ki 11:14) And when shee looked, beholde, the King stoode by a pillar, as the maner was, and the princes and the trumpetters by the King, and al the people of the land reioyced, and blew with trumpets. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and cryed, Treason, treason.

(Notes Reference) And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a (n) pillar, as the manner [was], and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.

(n) Where the king's place was in the temple.

(2Ki 11:15) But Iehoiada the Priest commanded the captaines of the hundreths that had the rule of the hoste, and sayde vnto them, Haue her forth of the ranges, and he that followeth her, let him die by the sworde: for the Priest had sayd, Let her not be slaine in the house of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that (o) followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.

(o) To take her part.

(2Ki 11:16) Then they laid hands on her, and she went by the way, by the which the horses goe to the house of the King, and there was she slaine.

(2Ki 11:17) And Iehoiada made a couenant betweene the Lord, and the King and the people, that they should be the Lordes people: likewise betweene the King and the people.

(Notes Reference) And Jehoiada made a (p) covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the (q) king also and the people.

(p) That both the king and the people should maintain the true worship of God and destroy all idolatry.

(q) That he should govern and they obey in the fear of God.

(2Ki 11:18) Then all the people of the lande went into the house of Baal, and destroyed it with his altars, and his images brake they downe courageously, and slewe Mattan the Priest of Baal before the altars: and the Priest set a garde ouer the house of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the (r) altars. And the (s) priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.

(r) Even in the place where he had blasphemed God, and thought to have been helped by his idol, there God poured his vengeance on him.

(s) That is, Jehoiada.

(2Ki 11:19) Then he tooke the captaines of hudreths, and the other captaines, and the garde, and all the people of the lande: and they brought the King from the house of the Lord, and came by the way of the gate of the garde to the Kings house: and he sate him downe on the throne of the Kings.

(2Ki 11:20) And all the people of the land reioyced, and the citie was in quiet: for they had slaine Athaliah with the sworde beside the Kings house.

(Notes Reference) And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: (t) and they slew Athaliah with the sword [beside] the king's house.

(t) Who by his cruelty and persecution had troubled the whole land.

(2Ki 11:21) Seuen yeere olde was Iehoash when he began to reigne.

(2Ki 12:1) In the seuenth yere of Iehu Iehoash began to reigne, and reigned fourty yeres in Ierusalem, and his mothers name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.

(2Ki 12:2) And Iehoash did that which was good in the sight of the Lord all his time that Iehoiada the Priest taught him.

(Notes Reference) And Jehoash did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein (a) Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

(a) As long as rulers give ear to the true ministers of God, they prosper.

(2Ki 12:3) But the hie places were not taken away: for the people offred yet and burnt incense in the hie places.

(Notes Reference) But (b) the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

(b) So hard a thing it is for them, that are in authority, to be brought to the perfect obedience of God.

(2Ki 12:4) And Iehoash sayde to the Priestes, All the siluer of dedicate things that bee brought to the house of the Lord, that is, the money of them that are vnder the count, the money that euery man is set at, and all the money that one offereth willingly, and bringeth into the house of the Lord,

(Notes Reference) And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, [even] the money of every one that passeth [the (c) account], the money that every man is set at, [and] all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD,

(c) That is, the money of redemption (Exo 30:12), also the money which the priest valued the vows at (Lev 27:2), and their free gift.

(2Ki 12:5) Let the Priestes take it to them, euery man of his acquaintance: and they shall repaire the broken places of the house, wheresoeuer any decay is founde.

(Notes Reference) Let the priests take [it] to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the (d) breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.

(d) For the temple which was built a hundred and fifty-five years before, had many things decayed in it, both by the negligence of the king's predecessors, and also by the wickedness of the idolaters.

(2Ki 12:6) Yet in the three and twentieth yeere of King Iehoash the Priestes had not mended that which was decayed in the Temple.

(2Ki 12:7) Then King Iehoash called for Iehoiada the Priest, and the other Priestes, and sayd vnto them, Why repaire yee not the ruines of the Temple? nowe therefore receiue no more money of your acquaintance, except yee deliuer it to repaire the ruines of the Temple.

(Notes Reference) Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the [other] priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore (e) receive no [more] money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.

(e) He takes from them the ordering of the money, because of their negligence.

(2Ki 12:8) So the Priestes consented to receiue no more money of the people, neither to repaire the decayed places of the Temple.

(2Ki 12:9) Then Iehoiada the Priest tooke a chest and bored an hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side, as euery man commeth into the Temple of the Lord. And the Priestes that kept the doore, put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the (f) right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money [that was] brought into the house of the LORD.

(f) That is, on the south side.

(2Ki 12:10) And when they sawe there was much money in the chest, the Kinges Secretarie came vp and the hie Priest, and put it vp after that they had tolde the money that was found in the house of the Lord,

(2Ki 12:11) And they gaue the money made readie into the handes of them, that vndertooke the worke, and that had the ouersight of the house of the Lord; and they payed it out to the carpenters and builders that wrought vpon the house of the Lord,

(Notes Reference) And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them (g) that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD,

(g) For the king had appointed others who were fit for that purpose, (2Ki 22:5).

(2Ki 12:12) And to the masons and hewers of stone, and to bye timber and hewed stone, to repayre that was decayed in the house of the Lord, and for all that which was layed out for the reparation of the Temple.

(2Ki 12:13) Howbeit there was not made for the house of the Lord bowles of siluer, instruments of musicke, basons, trumpets, nor any vessels of golde, or vessels of siluer of the money that was brought into the house of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Howbeit there were (h) not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money [that was] brought into the house of the LORD:

(h) For these men only had charge of the repairing of the temple, the rest of the money was brought to the king who caused these to be made later, (2Ch 24:14).

(2Ki 12:14) But they gaue it to the workemen, which repayred therewith the house of the Lord.

(2Ki 12:15) Moreouer, they reckoned not with the men, into whose handes they deliuered that money to be bestowed on workemen: for they dealt faithfully.

(2Ki 12:16) The money of the trespasse offring and the money of ye sinne offrings was not brought into the house of the Lord: for it was the Priests.

(2Ki 12:17) Then came vp Hazael King of Aram, and fought against Gath and tooke it, and Hazael set his face to goe vp to Ierusalem.

(2Ki 12:18) And Iehoash King of Iudah tooke all the halowed thinges that Iehoshaphat, and Iehoram, and Ahaziah his fathers Kings of Iudah had dedicated, and that he himselfe had dedicated, and all the golde that was found in the treasures of the house of the Lord and in the Kings house, and sent it to Hazael King of Aram, and he departed from Ierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold [that was] found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and (i) sent [it] to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.

(i) After the death of Jehoiada, Joash fell to idolatry: therefore God rejected him, and stirred up his enemy against him, whom he pacified with the treasures of the temple: for God would not be served with those gifts, seeing the king's heart was wicked.

(2Ki 12:19) Concerning the rest of the acts of Ioash and all that he did, are they not written in the booke of the Chronicles of the Kings of Iudah?

(2Ki 12:20) And his seruants arose and wrought treason, and slewe Ioash in the house of Millo, when he came downe to Silla:

(Notes Reference) And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and (k) slew Joash in the house of (l) Millo, which goeth down to Silla.

(k) Because he had put Zachariah the son of Jehoiada to death, (2Ch 24:25).

(l) Read (2Sa 5:9).

(2Ki 12:21) Euen Iozachar the sonne of Shimeath, and Iehozabad the sonne of Shomer his seruants smote him, and he dyed: and they buried him with his fathers in the citie of Dauid. And Amaziah his sonne reigned in his stead.

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Passage 2: Ezekiel 2

(Eze 2:1) And he said vnto me, Sonne of man, stand vp vpon thy feete, and I wil speake vnto thee.

(Notes Reference) And (a) he said to me, (b) Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak to thee.

(a) That is, the Lord.

(b) Meaning, man who is but earth and ashes, which was to humble him, and cause him to consider his own state, and God's grace.

(Eze 2:2) And the Spirite entred into me, when he had spoken vnto me, and set me vpon my feete, so that I heard him that spake vnto me.

(Notes Reference) (c) And the spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spoke to me.

(c) So that he could not abide God's presence, till God's Spirit entered into him.

(Eze 2:3) And he said vnto me, Sonne of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: for they and their fathers haue rebelled against me, euen vnto this very day.

(Eze 2:4) For they are impudent children, and stiffe hearted: I do send thee vnto them, and thou shalt say vnto them, Thus saith the Lord God.

(Eze 2:5) But surely they will not heare, neither in deede will they cease: for they are a rebellious house: yet shall they knowe that there hath bene a Prophet among them.

(Notes Reference) And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they [are] a rebellious house,) yet shall know that (d) there hath been a prophet among them.

(d) This declares on the one part God's great affection toward his people, that despite their rebellion, yet he will send his prophets among them, and admonishes his ministers on the other part that they cease not to do their duty, though the people are never so obstinate: for the word of God will be either to their salvation or greater condemnation.

(Eze 2:6) And thou sonne of man, feare them not, neither be afraide of their wordes, although rebels, and thornes be with thee, and thou remainest with scorpions: feare not their wordes, nor be afrayde at their lookes, for they are a rebellious house.

(Notes Reference) And thou, son of man, (e) be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [are] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [are] a rebellious house.

(e) Read (Jer 1:17). He shows that for no afflictions they would cease to do their duties.

(Eze 2:7) Therefore thou shalt speake my words vnto them: but surely they will not heare, neither will they in deede cease: for they are rebellious.

(Eze 2:8) But thou sonne of man, heare what I say vnto thee: be not thou rebellious, like this rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eate that I giue thee.

(Notes Reference) But thou, son of man, hear what I say to thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and (f) eat that which I give thee.

(f) He not only exhorts him to his duty but also gives him the means with which he may be able to execute it.

(Eze 2:9) And when I looked vp, beholde, an hande was sent vnto me, and loe, a roule of a booke was therein.

(Eze 2:10) And he spred it before me, and it was written within and without, and there was written therein, Lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

(Notes Reference) And he spread it before me; and it [was] written within and without: and [there was] written in it (g) lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

(g) He shows what were the contents of this book: that is, God's judgments against the wicked.

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Passage 3: 2 Corinthians 8-9

(2Co 8:1) We doe you also to wit, brethren, of the grace of God bestowed vpon the Churches of Macedonia,

(Notes Reference) Moreover, (1) brethren, we do you to wit of the (a) grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

(1) The sixth part of this epistle containing different exhortations to stir up the Corinthians to liberality, with which the poverty of the church of Jerusalem might be helped at an appropriate time. And first of all he sets before them the example of the churches of Macedonia, which otherwise were brought by great misery to extreme poverty, so that the Corinthians should follow them.

(a) The benefit that God bestowed upon the Corinthians.

(2Co 8:2) Because in great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie.

(Notes Reference) How that in a (b) great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

(b) For those manifold afflictions with which the Lord tried them did not stop their joyful readiness, but also made it much more excellent and well-known.

(2Co 8:3) For to their power (I beare record) yea, and beyonde their power, they were willing,

(Notes Reference) For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] (c) willing of themselves;

(c) Of their own accord they were generous.

(2Co 8:4) And praied vs with great instance that we woulde receiue the grace, and fellowship of the ministring which is toward the Saints.

(Notes Reference) Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the (d) gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

(d) He calls that "gift" which other men would have called a burden. And this verse is to be explained by (2Co 8:6).

(2Co 8:5) And this they did, not as we looked for: but gaue their owne selues, first to the Lord, and after vnto vs by the will of God,

(Notes Reference) (2) And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

(2) He amplifies the eagerness of the Macedonians in this, that they also desired Paul to stir up the Corinthians to accomplish the giving of alms by sending Titus to them again.

(2Co 8:6) That we should exhort Titus, that as hee had begon, so he would also accomplish the same grace among you also.

(2Co 8:7) Therefore, as yee abound in euery thing, in faith and woorde, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your loue towardes vs, euen so see that yee abound in this grace also.

(2Co 8:8) This say I not by commandement, but because of the diligence of others: therefore prooue I the naturalnesse of your loue.

(Notes Reference) (3) I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the (e) forwardness of others, and to prove the (f) sincerity of your love.

(3) Thirdly, he warns them to live up to the expectation which Paul and his companions have conceived of them.

(e) At the request of the Macedonians.

(f) The naturalness of our love appears when we truly, and that frankly and freely, help our brethren even for Christ's sake.

(2Co 8:9) For ye knowe the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, that hee being rich, for your sakes became poore, that yee through his pouertie might be made rich.

(Notes Reference) (4) For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

(4) The fourth argument taken from the example of Christ.

(2Co 8:10) And I shewe my minde herein: for this is expedient for you, which haue begun not to doe onely, but also to will, a yeare agoe.

(Notes Reference) (5) And herein I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to (g) be forward a year ago.

(5) He takes good heed that he seem not to wrest it out of them by force, for unless it is voluntary, God does not accept it.

(g) Not only to do, but also to do willingly: for he notes out of a ready willingness, without any enforcement by any other men. And much less did it come out of ambition and vain glory.

(2Co 8:11) Nowe therefore performe to doe it also, that as there was a readinesse to will, euen so yee may performe it of that which yee haue.

(2Co 8:12) For if there be first a willing minde, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

(Notes Reference) (6) For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.

(6) Against those who excused themselves because they are not rich, as though it were only the duty of rich men to help the poor.

(2Co 8:13) Neither is it that other men should be eased and you grieued: But vpon like condition, at this time your abundance supplieth their lacke:

(Notes Reference) (7) For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

(7) Christian liberality is mutual, so that one does not have too much, and the other to little.

(2Co 8:14) That also their aboundance may bee for your lacke, that there may be equalitie:

(Notes Reference) But by an (h) equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:

(h) That as now in your abundance you help others with a share of your goods, so should others in the same way bestow some of their goods upon you.

(2Co 8:15) As it is written, Hee that gathered much, had nothing ouer, and hee that gathered litle, had not the lesse.

(2Co 8:16) And thanks be vnto God, which hath put in the heart of Titus the same care for you.

(Notes Reference) (8) But thanks [be] to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

(8) He commends Titus and his two companions for many reasons, both that their credit might not be suspected, as though he had sent them slyly to rob the churches, and also so that they might be all the more ready to contribute.

(2Co 8:17) Because hee accepted the exhortation, yea, hee was so carefull that of his owne accorde hee went vnto you.

(2Co 8:18) And wee haue sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout al the Churches.

(Notes Reference) And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise [is] (i) in the gospel throughout all the churches;

(i) In the preaching of the Gospel.

(2Co 8:19) (And not so onely, but is also chosen of the Churches to be a fellowe in our iourney, concerning this grace that is ministred by vs vnto the glorie of the same Lord, and declaration of your prompt minde)

(Notes Reference) And not [that] only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this (k) grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [declaration of] your ready mind:

(k) These alms which are bestowed for the relief of the church of Jerusalem.

(2Co 8:20) Auoiding this, that no man shoulde blame vs in this aboundance that is ministred by vs,

(Notes Reference) Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this (l) abundance which is administered by us:

(l) In this plentiful liberality of the churches, which is committed to our trust.

(2Co 8:21) Prouiding for honest thinges, not onely before the Lord, but also before men.

(2Co 8:22) And we haue sent with them our brother, whom we haue oft times prooued to be diligent in many thinges, but nowe much more diligent, for the great confidence, which I haue in you.

(2Co 8:23) Whether any doe inquire of Titus, he is my fellowe and helper to you ward: or of our brethren, they are messengers of the Churches, and the glorie of Christ.

(Notes Reference) Whether [any do enquire] of Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our (m) brethren [be enquired of, they are] the messengers of the churches, [and] the (n) glory of Christ.

(m) The two companions of Titus.

(n) By whom the glory of Christ is set forth.

(2Co 8:24) Wherefore shew toward them, and before the Churches the proofe of your loue, and of the reioycing that we haue of you.

(Notes Reference) Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the (o) churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

(o) All the churches in whose presence you are in will be witnesses of this your godly behaviour, for these men are the messengers whom they have chosen by common consent, and sent to you.

(2Co 9:1) For as touching the ministring to the Saints, it is superfluous for me to write vnto you.

(Notes Reference) For (1) as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

(1) He wisely answers the suspicion which the Corinthians might conceive, as though the apostle in urging them so carefully was doubting of their good will. Therefore he witnesses that he does it not to teach them that they ought to help the saints, seeing that he had become surety for them to the Macedonians. But only to stir those up who were labouring by themselves, to the end that all things might both be in a better readiness, and also be more plentiful.

(2Co 9:2) For I knowe your readinesse of minde, whereof I boast my selfe of you vnto them of Macedonia, and say, that Achaia was prepared a yeere agoe, and your zeale hath prouoked many.

(2Co 9:3) Nowe haue I sent the brethren, lest our reioycing ouer you shoulde bee in vaine in this behalfe, that yee (as I haue sayde) be readie:

(2Co 9:4) Lest if they of Macedonia come with me, and finde you vnprepared, we (that wee may not say, you) should be ashamed in this my constant boasting.

(Notes Reference) Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same (a) confident boasting.

(a) The word which he uses signifies a mind so steady and established that it cannot be moved by any terror or fear.

(2Co 9:5) Wherefore, I thought it necessarie to exhort the brethren to come before vnto you, and to finish your beneuolence appointed afore, that it might be readie, and come as of beneuolence, and not as of niggardlinesse.

(Notes Reference) Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not as [of] (b) covetousness.

(b) As from covetous men.

(2Co 9:6) This yet remember, that he which soweth sparingly, shall reape also sparingly, and hee that soweth liberally, shall reape also liberally.

(Notes Reference) (2) But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

(2) Alms must be given neither grudgingly, nor with a loathful mind, or sparingly. And a generous and free alms is compared to a sowing which has a most plentiful harvest of most abundant blessing following it.

(2Co 9:7) As euery man wisheth in his heart, so let him giue, not grudgingly, or of necessitie: for God loueth a cheerefull giuer.

(Notes Reference) Every man according as he (c) purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not (d) grudgingly, or of (e) necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

(c) Determines and appoints freely with himself.

(d) With a sparing and grudging heart.

(e) Against his will, not wanting to have evil spoken of him.

(2Co 9:8) And God is able to make all grace to abound towarde you, that yee alwayes hauing all sufficiencie in all thinges, may abounde in euery good worke,

(Notes Reference) And God [is] able to make (f) all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to (g) every good work:

(f) All the bountiful liberality of God.

(g) To help others by all means possible, in doing them good in their needs.

(2Co 9:9) (As it is written, He hath sparsed abroad and hath giuen to the poore: his beneuolence remayneth for euer.

(Notes Reference) (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for (h) ever.

(h) Is everlasting: now David speaks of a man that fears God, and loves his neighbour, who will always be able (he says) to give to others.

(2Co 9:10) Also hee that findeth seede to the sower, will minister likewise bread for foode, and multiplie your seede, and increase the fruites of your beneuolence,)

(Notes Reference) Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the (i) fruits of your righteousness;)

(i) There is no inheritance as good to the godly as bountifulness is.

(2Co 9:11) That on all partes yee may bee made rich vnto all liberalitie, which causeth through vs thankesgiuing vnto God.

(2Co 9:12) For the ministration of this seruice not onely supplieth the necessities of the Saintes, but also aboundantly causeth many to giue thankes to God,

(Notes Reference) (3) For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

(3) Another excellent and double fruit of liberality towards the saints is this, that it gives occasion to praise God, and that our faith also is by it made manifest.

(2Co 9:13) (Which by the experiment of this ministration praise God for your voluntarie submission to the Gospell of Christ, and for your liberall distribution to them, and to all men)

(Notes Reference) Whiles by the (k) experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your (l) professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal distribution unto them, and unto all [men];

(k) By this proof of your liberality in this helping of them.

(l) In showing with one consent that you acknowledge that Gospel alone which you have willingly submitted yourselves to, declaring by this that you agree with the church of Jerusalem.

(2Co 9:14) And in their praier for you, to log after you greatly, for the aboundant grace of God in you.

(2Co 9:15) Thankes therefore bee vnto God for his vnspeakeable gift.

(Notes Reference) (m) Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.

(m) Lest by this great commendation and praise the Corinthians should be puffed up, he concludes this exhortation with this exclamation.