Now he that ministereth seed to the sower. — Better, he that giveth bounteously. The Greek verb (epichorêgein) has a somewhat interesting history. Originally it expressed the act of one who undertook to defray the expenses of the chorus of a Greek theatre. As this was an act of somewhat stately generosity, the verb got a wider range, and was applied to any such act, and was so transferred in like manner by the Apostle, probably, as far as we can trace, for the first time, to the divine bounty. It may be noted that it was not so used by the LXX. translators. The word indeed occurs but once in that version, in Sir. 25:22 (“if a woman maintain her husband”). In its higher sense it becomes a somewhat favourite word with St. Paul (Galatians 3:5; Colossians 2:19), and is used by St. Peter (2 Peter 1:5; 2 Peter 1:11) after he had become acquainted with St. Paul’s Epistles, and possibly enriched his vocabulary through them.
The phrase “seed to the sower” occurs, with a different verb, in Isaiah 55:10. In the words that follow, “the fruits of righteousness,” there is an obvious reminiscence of Hosea 10:12, and Amos 6:12. The phrase occurs again in Philippians 1:11. The construction, according to the better MSS., varies somewhat from that of the Authorised version. He that bounteously giveth seed to the sower and bread for food (the beneficence of God thought of, as shown both in seed-time and harvest) shall give bounteously, and multiply your seed, and increase the produce of your righteousness. “Righteousness” is taken, as before, as specially presented under the aspect of alms-giving.