Yet have I sent the brethren Above mentioned before me; lest our boasting of you should be in vain Lest you should be found unprepared. To make up beforehand To complete before my arrival; your bounty Or gift; whereof ye had notice before Greek, την προκατηγγελμενην, spoken of before, namely, by me to the Macedonians. Or, as some understand the expression, formerly announced to the saints in Judea. That the same might be ready When I come; as a bounty Or free gift, willingly bestowed; and not as of covetousness
A thing extorted, or wrung by importunity from covetous persons. But this I say This I wish you to keep in mind as an important declaration; He who soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly, &c. A general rule: God will proportion the reward to the work, and the temper whence it proceeds. Every man as he purposeth, &c. As he finds himself inclined from his own bountiful disposition, and not as being constrained thereto by me or any other; not grudgingly Εκ λυπης, from grief, as if he were sorry to part with his money; or of necessity Because he is ashamed to refuse. For In matters of charity; God loveth a cheerful giver Nor can that be acceptable to him which is given with reluctance and by constraint.