“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;”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 9:13 Mean?
"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 Jerusalem church glorifies God for two things: the Corinthians' genuine commitment to the gospel (not just professed but demonstrated) and their generous giving. The financial gift proves the theological profession. The distribution validates the declaration.
The word "experiment" (dokime) means proof, tested character, evidence that has been verified through testing. The financial gift is the test that proves the profession is genuine. Anyone can claim to follow the gospel. The generosity proves it.
The phrase "liberal distribution" (haplotes tes koinonias — simplicity of sharing, generosity of fellowship) describes giving that is open-handed, uncalculating, and communal. The generosity isn't strategic or self-interested. It's simple: you have, they need, you give. The sharing is the fellowship.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does your giving prove your gospel profession — or is there a gap between what you say and what you share?
- 2.How does generosity produce worship in the people who receive it?
- 3.What makes 'liberal distribution' different from strategic or self-interested giving?
- 4.What glory is your generosity producing — for God or for your reputation?
Devotional
Your giving proves your gospel. The Jerusalem church looks at the Corinthian offering and sees evidence: their profession of faith is real. They don't just talk about the gospel. They fund it. They share. They give. And the giving proves the talking was genuine.
The word 'experiment' — proof through testing — means the offering functions as a verification of faith. You can profess subjection to the gospel with your mouth. The checkbook verifies whether the mouth was telling the truth. The profession and the distribution are connected: one without the other is incomplete.
The 'liberal distribution' — generous, simple, uncalculating sharing — is what glorifies God. Not the amount. Not the percentage. The spirit behind the giving. The simplicity of seeing a need and meeting it. The openhandedness that doesn't calculate return on investment. The fellowship that expresses itself through shared resources.
This creates a direct connection between generosity and worship: they glorify God because of your distribution. Your giving produces worship in other people. The money you send becomes praise in the mouths of people you've never met. Your generosity creates glory — not for you but for God.
What are you distributing? And is the distribution producing glory — for God, not for your reputation?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an…
Whiles by the experiment ... - Or rather, by the experience of this ministration; the proof (δοκιμῆς dokimēs), the…
By the experiment of this ministration - In this, and in the preceding and following verses, the apostle enumerates the…
Here we have,
I. Proper directions to be observed about the right and acceptable manner of bestowing charity; and it is…
experiment Rather, proof (probatio, Vulg.), i.e. the proof afforded by the conduct of the Corinthians that they were…
Cross References
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