2 Corinthians 9:1
in 2 Corinthians 9Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
KJV
For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 9
Commentary
12 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
For as touching the ministering to the saints - In regard to the collection that was to be taken up for the aid of the poor Christians in Judea; see the notes on Rom 15:26; 1Co 16:1; 2 Cor. 8. It is superfluous ... - It is needless to urge that matter on you, because I know that you acknowledge the obligation to do it, and have already purposed it. For me to write to you - That is, to write more, or to write largely on the subject.
This site's exposition
no need for me to write to you
on 2 Corinthians 9:1-2
Paul has been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. Your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise, so the two provinces now spur each other on.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
It is superfluous, but in order to demonstrate his diligence, it was necessary for Paul to write like this, so that they would be all the more willing to do what they were asked and to embody the truth they were being taught. For superfluities …
Though he had said so much about it, he says here, "It is superfluous for me to write to you." And his wisdom is shown not only in this, that though he had said so much about it, he saith, "it is superfluous for me to write to you," but in that be yet again speaketh of it. For what he said indeed a little above, he said concerning those who received the money, to ensure them the enjoyment of great honor: but what he said before that, (his account of the Macedonians, that "their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality," and all the rest,) was concerning loving-kindness and alms-giving. But nevertheless even though he had said so much before and was going to speak again, he says, "it is superfluous for me to write to you." And this he does the rather to win them to himself. For a man who has so high a reputation as not to stand in need even of advice, is ashamed to appear inferior to, and come short of, that opinion of him.
The Medieval Church2 voices
Having exhorted the Corinthians to give alms to the saints in Jerusalem, the Apostle now admonishes them how to give, namely, cheerfully and abundantly. Hence, in order that they might give properly, he has sent them important messengers. In regard to this he does two …
He discoursed so long about this ministry before and, intending again to speak about the same thing, says that it is superfluous for him to write about it. And he does this wisely, in order to attract them more. For when Paul has such an …
The Reformation1 voice
For the members of Christ ought mutually to minister to each other. In this way, when we relieve the brethren, we do nothing more than discharge a ministry that is due to them. On the other hand, to neglect the saints, when they stand in need of our aid, is worse than inhuman, inasmuch as we defraud them of what is their due.
5 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
), and proceeds to give directions about the acceptable way and manner of performing it, namely, bountifully, deliberately, and freely; and gives good encouragement for so doing,
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens
For as touching the ministering to the saints,....
He seems to apologize for sending Titus and the other brethren to them. He is unwilling they should be offended at him for this, as if he were too earnest, and pressed too hard upon them; and tells the true reasons why he sent them, namely, 1.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
For--connected with 2Co 8:16: "Show love to the messengers of the churches; for as concerns the ministration for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you who are so forward already." write--emphatical: It is superfluous to "write," for you will have witnesses present [BENGEL].
It is superfluous for me to write to you - I need not enlarge, having already said enough. See the preceding chapter, (2 Corinthians 8 (note)).
The words behind it
15 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Περὶ | peri | Concerning | G4012 → | |
| μὲν | men | now | G3303 → | 176 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| τῆς | tes | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| διακονίας | diakonias | service | G1248 → | 34 times |
| τῆς | tes | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| εἰς | eis | for | G1519 → | 1755 times |
| τοὺς | tous | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἁγίους | hagious | saints | G40 → | 220 times |
| περισσόν | perisson | excessive | G4053 → | |
| μοί | moi | for me | G3165 → | 1936 times |
| ἐστιν | estin | it is | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| τὸ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| γράφειν | graphein | to write | G1125 → | 189 times |
| ὑμῖν· | humin | to you; | G4771 → | 2973 times |
ΠερὶConcerning
periG4012 →
μὲνnow
menG3303 →176 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
τῆςthe
tesG3588 →19766 times
διακονίαςservice
diakoniasG1248 →34 times
τῆς<the>
tesG3588 →19766 times
εἰςfor
eisG1519 →1755 times
τοὺςthe
tousG3588 →19766 times
ἁγίουςsaints
hagiousG40 →220 times
περισσόνexcessive
perissonG4053 →
μοίfor me
moiG3165 →1936 times
ἐστινit is
estinG1510 →2333 times
τὸ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
γράφεινto write
grapheinG1125 →189 times
ὑμῖν·to you;
huminG4771 →2973 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Galatians 6:10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
it leads to
- Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- Titus 3:8
This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable…
- Matthew 25:40
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
- Hebrews 13:16
Through
Galatians 2:10They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
it leads to
- 1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
- Acts 24:17
After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
- 2 Corinthians 8:1–9
Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.
- 1 John 3:17
Where this verse is studied
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 12 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Chrysostom, Homily 19 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.