2Cor 9:5-7 | JFB | STEP | 5. that they would go before-- Translate, "that they should," &c. whereof ye had notice before-- rather, "promised before"; "long announced by me to the Macedonians" ( ) [Bengel]. "Your promised bounty" [Ellicott and others]. not as of covetousness-- Translate, "not as matter of covetousness," which it would be, if you gave niggardly.

‏ 2 Corinthians 9:5-7

5. that they would go before--Translate, "that they should," &c.

whereof ye had notice before--rather, "promised before"; "long announced by me to the Macedonians" (2Co 9:2) [Bengel]. "Your promised bounty" [Ellicott and others].

not as of covetousness--Translate, "not as matter of covetousness," which it would be, if you gave niggardly.

6. I say--Ellicott and others supply the ellipsis thus: "But remember this."

bountifully--literally, "with," or "in blessings." The word itself implies a beneficent spirit in the giver (compare 2Co 9:7, end), and the plural implies the abundance and liberality of the gifts. "The reaping shall correspond to the proportions and spirit of the sowing" [Bengel]. Compare Eze 34:26, "Showers of blessing."

7. according as he purposeth in his heart--Let the full consent of the free will go with the gift [Alford]. Opposed to "of necessity," as "grudgingly" is opposed to "a cheerful giver" (Pr 22:9; 11:25; Is 32:8).