Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 9:5

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up before hand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before , that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty , and not as of covetousness .

This was the cause why I judged it reasonable to send the three Brethren, before mentioned, unto you, that they might make up your bounty; [non-Latin text not transcribed], not so much to move, quicken, or exhort you to it, as to hasten the dispatch, and perfecting of it, that your money might be ready gathered. The word which we translate Bounty, in the Greek signifieth Blessing, which agreeth with the Hebrew Dialect. Abigails Present to David in his distress is called [non-Latin text not transcribed], a Blessing, 1 Sam. 25.27. so Iacob called his Present to his Brother Esau, Gen. 33.11. Such kind of reliefs are called a Blessing in both the Hebrew and the Greek Tongue: 1. Because they are a part of Gods blessing upon him that gives, Psal. 24.5. 2. Because the giving of them is a recognition or acknowledgment how far God hath blessed persons, they giving as the Lord hath prospered them, 1 Cor. 16.2. 3. Because they are an indication of the blessing, or well wishing of him that giveth to him that receiveth the gift. 4. Because they are a real doing good to the person that receiveth them, an actual blessing of him. 5. Possibly they are (in him that gives) an effectual, real blessing of God; for we then bless God with what we have, when we use and improve it for the ends for which he hath given it to us. It is very observable, That a liberal free giving to the relief of the Servants of God in distress, is called [non-Latin text not transcribed] and [non-Latin text not transcribed], Grace and Blessing. An heart to it being created in us from the free Grace of God, and the work it self being a real, actual blessing of God with our substance, and the fruit of our increase: which two things well digested, will be potent Arguments to Charity with every Soul that knoweth any thing of God, or hath any Love for God.

That the same may be ready gathered [illegible: 1 word] not to gather when I come.

As a Blessing, we translate it as a matter of bounty: the sense is the same.

Not of Covetousness: The meaning is, I have also sent the Brethren, that they may perswade you to a free and liberal Contribution, a giving that may look like a Blessing, not as proceeding from a narrow heart, in which the love of money prevaileth above the Love of God. Giving to the distressed Saints of God sparingly, and disproportionately to what Estate we have, no way looks like a Blessing; he that so gives, doth not, according to the Apostles Phrase, give [non-Latin text not transcribed] ▪ for he neither gives as the Lord hath blessed and prospered him, nor yet according to what God requires of him; for he withholds a part of what he ought to part with: neither doth he bless his Brother; he doth him some little good, but blessing another signinifies a more liberal doing good to him.

Marginal references: Gr. blessing.; Or, which had [illegible: 1 word] spoken of [illegible: 1 word].