Chapter 9 – FAMILIA MUNDIAL
2 [2] Achaia: see the note on ⇒ Romans 15:26.
3 [3] I sent the brothers: the Greek aorist tense here could be epistolary, referring to the present; in that case Paul would be sending them now, and ⇒ 2 Cor 9:9 would merely conclude the letter of recommendation begun in ⇒ 2 Cor 9:8. But the aorist may also refer to a sending that is past as Paul writes; then ⇒ 2 Cor 9:9, with its apparently fresh beginning, is a follow-up message entrusted to another carrier.
4 [8-10] The behavior to which he exhorts them is grounded in God’s own pattern of behavior. God is capable of overwhelming generosity, as scripture itself attests (⇒ 2 Cor 9:9), so that they need not fear being short. He will provide in abundance, both supplying their natural needs and increasing their righteousness. Paul challenges them to godlike generosity and reminds them of the fundamental motive for encouragement: God himself cannot be outdone.
5 [11-15] Paul’s vision broadens to take in all the interested parties in one dynamic picture. His language becomes liturgically colored and conveys a sense of fullness. With a final play on the words charis and eucharistia (see the note on ⇒ 2 Cor 8:1), he describes a circle that closes on itself: the movement of grace overflowing from God to them and handed on from them through Paul to others is completed by the prayer of praise and thanksgiving raised on their behalf to God.