Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

8:16 Once again, Paul's thanks . . . to God begins a new section (cf. 1:3; 2:14), just as his thanksgiving concludes it (9:15; see 1:11).

8:18 The identity of the famous . . . brother is unknown.

8:19-22 ministered by us . . . administered by us. This is the same phrase used in 3:3 to describe Paul's new covenant ministry of the Spirit ("delivered by us"), showing that the collection of money for the needy in Jerusalem was an essential part of the apostolic ministry of the gospel. so that no one should blame us. As Paul delivers the gift to Jerusalem, he will be accompanied by a team of men well known for their integrity. Their presence will guarantee a public accounting for the gifts and also provide protection from robbers. See chart.

8:23 the glory of Christ. The delegates are equated with the glory of Christ since their love reflects Christ's love for his people (v. 9) and results from their having encountered the glory of God in the face of Christ (3:18; 4:4-6).

9:3 Prove empty (Gk. kenoō) belongs to the same stem as the adverb used in 6:1, which there refers to the danger of apparently receiving God's grace in a less than genuine way. Here the danger is that the Corinthians may fail to give generously as Paul had boasted they would (9:2). The implication may be that their failure to give generously would be evidence that their faith was less than genuine, but they would also be missing out on the blessing that is in store for everyone who "sows bountifully" (v. 6).

9:5 be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The word translated "[willing] gift" can also mean "blessing" (Gk. eulogia); the collection is to be a response to God's grace in their lives (8:6-9), not something coerced by the fear of judgment.