Useful Bible Studies > 2 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 9
Corinth’s Christians believed that God wanted to make them rich. So, they had tried to behave like rich people. It seems that some of them were speaking proudly about their wealth*. They even liked to eat plenty of meat and to drink plenty of wine. Paul did not approve*.
Many other Christians would consider their attitudes to be completely wrong: selfish and greedy. However, Paul could see that Corinth’s Christians were generous people, and not in fact selfish or greedy*. They had misunderstood something about the Christian message, but they were not completely wrong. Christ really did die so that they could become rich*.
Their mistake was to expect the kind of wealth that would impress other people in this world. They wanted money and possessions; but many of the best Christians do not have any of that kind of wealth*. Instead Christians have a much better kind of wealth. Christ himself is in their lives*. That is true wealth and true greatness; that relationship with Christ will never end*.
We will only see that fully in the future age, after Christ’s return*. However, we can see that it has begun now, by the work of the Holy Spirit*. So, Paul says that Corinth’s Christians were rich in their speech and their knowledge *. Even Macedonia’s poor Christians were rich in their generous acts *. These Christians spoke, and knew, and gave, in the power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, they did not depend on their own resources, but on God. As God’s resources have no limit, that is true wealth.
Next part: God brings together Christians from every nation (9:12-13)
* See complete article for these Bible references.
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© 2016, Keith Simons.