2 Corinthians 9:13; Your Professed Subjection Unto the Gospel of Christ

2 Corinthians 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

The Corinthian Church in their giving to the saints in Jerusalem has, in a sense, proven the work of Christ in the lives of Gentile converts. The Jewish Church in Jerusalem was sceptical over the conversions that took place in Corinth. But this kindness would be to them a great proof of the reality of the faith of the Corinthians so that they will glorify God. [MacDonald]

God is praised when Christian kindness and love is shown towards the brethren. It is the Spirit’s fruit in the believer’s life. The giving was described as a liberal distribution. There was substantial weight in the giving that will go a long way in alleviating the poverty experienced by the persecution church in Jerusalem.

Not only was the Corinthian church kindly disposed to help this specific case at the Apostle Paul’s nudging, but they were forward towards expressing their love for others too. They have therefore been a blessing to many others which is a testimony to the blessing of God in their hearts to the praise of God and the power of the gospel in turning self-seeking men to self-giving men. Amen.