2 Corinthians 10:12-18

¹² For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. ¹³ We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. ¹⁴ For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; ¹⁵ not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, ¹⁶ to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment. ¹⁷ But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” ¹⁸ For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Commentary

Vs. 12 "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

The Apostle Paul would not dare enter into the ring of carnal men and women and begin comparing himself or measuring himself by how they themselves measured themselves, that is by themselves! Because for Paul the standard of his person and life was and will always be Christ. For that is the only standard that we who believe are all to measure ourselves and compare ourselves by. Therefore all who measure themselves by themselves are not wise. For all such judgments are only rooted in human pride and vanity, and will not commend anyone before the throne of Christ at His judgment. 

Vs. 13 "We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you." 

And so in stark contrast to the false apostles, and those who were carnal amongst the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul would not boast beyond measure, that is in himself or in someone else and their sphere of influence as the false apostles were doing. Therefore if the Apostle was going to boast in anything it would only be in sphere which God appointed us, that is the realm that God had appointed to him and his ministry team to minister the Gospel in. Thus the Apostle Paul's boasting wasn't going to be in himself, or in someone else, and what they themselves had done, but only in what God had done in him and through him, and was doing amongst them to conform them (and us all) to the image of His Son. 

Vs. 14 "For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ" 

The Apostle now says to the Corinthians that in exercising Christ's authority to them he (and those with him) were not over extending themselves, since the Corinthians had been appointed to life through the Gospel that the Apostle Paul and those with him, preached to them, because they had been appointed to salvation by God through them, consider Acts 13:48). Therefore in no way was the Apostle Paul and his ministry team "overextending themselves" in exercising Christ's authority amongst them, since the Corinthians had been appointed to life through their ministry of the Gospel to them. Therefore in no way was not the Apostle Paul "overextending himself", but the false apostles amongst them, who had infiltrated their realm of faith where they only sought to usurp and ultimately undermine what Christ had already planted there amongst them through the Apostle Paul.  

Vs. 15-16 "not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, ¹⁶ to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment."

And so just as the Apostle Paul did not overextend himself in exercising authority amongst them, neither than did the Apostle Paul boast in things beyond measure, that is in another man's labors so as to increase his own sphere of influence. That is Paul did not take credit for what Christ had accomplished through someone else. Instead Paul had hope that just as the Corinthians faith increased through Christ's ministry to them through him, his own sphere of influence would not only be greatly enlarged amongst them, but also he could preach the Gospel in regions well beyond them. For that is every true and faithful follower of Jesus Christ heartfelt longing and desire to see the Gospel go to regions it has never been. And not just geographical regions, but to every region and corner and facet of society and life where there is darkness and despair. For Christ alone can bring God's light, life and grace to all those who dwell in the shadow of sin, darkness, and death. For we want to bring the Gospel's soul healing, life transforming, long lasting satisfaction to all in need. How about you? 

Vs. 17-18  ¹⁷ But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” ¹⁸ For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

The Apostle Paul then was not going to be involved in the vain self boasting and self commendation that marked the false apostles. For Paul's boasting was not in himself, in what he was, or could do, Paul's boasting was in the Lord and what He could do and had done, not only in his own life, but also in the lives of the Corinthians, who like himself were being transformed from one glory to another through his Word given by the Spirit of the Lord for the edification and instruction of us all. 

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

2 Corinthians 10:7-11

⁷ Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. ⁸ For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed—⁹ lest I seem to terrify you by letters. ¹⁰ “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” ¹¹ Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.

Commentary

Vs. 7 "Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s."

The Apostle Pauls question (which could also be worded as a statement) is directed at the heart of the Corinthians carnality. For the Corinthians had been utterly carnal in their assessments of Paul. Measuring Paul and his Apostleship from Christ by looking at his physical form and outward appearance. Yet using the flesh as a measure of anyone's standing with God, or their Spirit giftedness from Him, is not of God, nor of the Spirit of God, but is only a measure used by this world (consider 1 Samuel 16:7; John 6:63). Therefore if the Corinthians thought that they themselves were Christ's, they needed to remember that just as they were Christ's, so also was the Apostle Paul. 

Vs. 8-9 ⁸ For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed—⁹ lest I seem to terrify you by letters.

If the Apostle Paul felt the need to vindicate himself by boasting about the authority Christ gave him, it would only be done so as to refute his detractors who were growing more and more emboldened in their demeaning of him. For Paul took no pleasure in self commendation, in having to put himself and forward in order to silence his critics. Yet in order to dissuade the undiscerning Corinthians from anymore calling into question his Apostleship from Christ, Paul thought it might be necessary to do so. Therefore Paul says that he would not now be ashamed if he boasted about the authority Christ gave him, because his was real, while the false apostles "authority" was not. Now in saying as much, the Apostle Paul acknowledges that the authority that Christ gave him was for edification and not for their destruction, and thus he was distinguishing himself and how he always exercised this authority from Christ (in the meekness and lowliness of Christ) from the false Apostles, who though having no authority, always lorded authority over whomever they held captive to themselves by it. For Paul was always careful not to abuse his authority from Christ, but was gentle and lowly amongst them all (2 Cor 10:1). And so even if in some of his epistles to the churches Paul used strong language, Paul did not seek too, or want too, terrify anyone by it. Rather his strong speech, when called for, was only meant to bring about the Corinthians repentance and obedience (consider 1 Cor 5:1-12). 

Vs. 10-11 ¹⁰ “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” ¹¹ Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.


Now the Apostle Paul's detractors had taken note of Paul's weighty and powerful words in his epistles and had sought to undermine them and him by saying that, though his letters are weighty and powerful, yet his bodily presence is weak and contemptible (vs.10). And thus through the most carnal assessments of Paul's person they appealed to the most carnal nature of the Corinthians in seeking to undermine Paul and his Holy Spirit given words for us all. Now the Apostle Paul had become aware of this, and so in verse eleven he makes it clear that what he was in word in his letters, when he had been absent from them, so the Apostle Paul would be in deed when he as present again with them. Thus the influence and tenure of those individuals who felt secure amongst the Corinthians while demeaning him (and thus Christ who appointed him) was soon to be cut short and cut off. 

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted 

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

2 Corinthians 10:1-6

¹ Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. ² But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Commentary
Vs. 1 "Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you."

The Apostle Paul now addresses himself to the Corinthians as Paul, their friend, the man through whom the Gospel first came to them, who as an Apostle of Christ leadership and lifestyle was rooted in the meekness and gentleness of Christ (see Matt. 11:28-30). Now Paul's doing so was to contrast himself with those who were claiming to be apostles, who had gotten a foothold amongst the Corinthians during his time away, and who were actively seeking to draw people away after themselves (consider Acts 20:29-30). And so in contrast to these false brethren and "apostles" who were actively demeaning the Apostle Paul and his person to undermine him and promote themselves, one of the many proofs of Paul's apostleship from Christ to them was that (unlike their dominnering and demanding nature) Paul was lowly amongst them; which to some of the more carnal amongst them only appeared as "weakness" to them. Yet in reality this always takes great discipline and strength of character, something that mere strength of person or personality does not. And so "lowly" here describes not a man of "weakness", but a man of great authority and power (consider Matt. 21:5). Now though Paul was lowly amongst them all, yet he was also bold towards them all. That is bold when he spoke of the Corinthians to other believers. For Paul wasn't pursuing and promoting himself and his own interests through his ministry to them, but theirs. 

Vs. 2 "But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh."


The Apostle Paul did not want to be firm with the Corinthians, he knew he was and Apostle called by Christ, and yet if they continued on a course of disobedience he would (see 2 Cor 4:1). And so here the Apostle Paul is appealing to them so that he would not have to be bold (gr. θαρρέω indicates courage and conviction) towards them, as he was going to be bold towards those who were judging his person, as if Paul was living and walking according to the flesh. Yet the Apostle Paul was not living carnally, nor was he using carnal judgments in his assesements of others, they were. For the Apostle Paul's dectractors attacked him on every carnal front so as to undermine him in their sight. Going so far as to demean his person for his lowily bodily presence, or his speech (2 Cor 10:11) or his lack of formal training, or his low societal standing, or his lack of wealth, or sleep, or poor attire, or that Paul made his living as a laborer and not a professional, all which they again used to demean and undermine his person, and all which the Apostle Paul had already rebuked and exposed as false assesments of anyone being called and qualified by Christ for His service, not theirs (see 1 Cor 1:26-31). For as the Scripture clearly declares the flesh reveals nothing about a person, either their Spiritual standing with God, or their Spirit giftedness, or even their character. Indeed judging someone by their flesh is utterly contrary to how God sees, judges, and ultimately chooses us (see 1 Samuel 16:7). For all such judgments are only rooted in the "pride of life" and not in the Spirit of God, who gives us life and the discernment to know the difference (see John 6:63; 1 Cor 2:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17 etc.). 

Vs. 3 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh."

Even though we are born-again by the Spirit of God, and we are fully alive, united with God in Christ, we still we walk in the flesh; that is we still live in mortal bodies, we still live in a physical realm, where spiritual forces of wickedness in high places are at war with us. Therefore we do not war according to the flesh, as though by the weak and temporal flesh (and all that the flesh represents in this world, and to those of this world) that we can overcome them, as the Scripture declares: "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts (Zech. 4:6). And so unlike those who are caranilty minded (see Rom 8:5-9), whose minds are set according to the flesh (and thus whose judgments are rooted in the same) we do not do so. For we do not war according to the flesh. 

Vs. 4-6 ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Therefore the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (vs. 4). Our weapons then are not those of the flesh, that is the means and ways of the flesh, but those which God gives us and equips us with through His Word so that we might be able to do His Will (2 Tim 3:16-17). All which begins with our putting on our personal armor before our going out into the battle which is in this world (see Ephesians 6:10-20). For we have been sent into this world to preach, teach, and to live out the Gospel in every corner of the earth. And thus we have been sent into a world that is not only ignorant of it (Isaiah 26:9) but sadly utterly hostile towards the Lord and us (John 15:18-25). Therefore the Word of God is our sword, our mighty weapon, by which we cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Heb 4:12-13 Therefore it is by the Word of God that we rebuke, correct, and instruct one and all in true righteousness, Godliness and declare God's saving grace which is given us all who believe through Christ alone (Acts 4:12; Titus 3:4-7). Since it is by the Word of God that the Spirit of God convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment on the one hand (John 16:8-10), while sanctifying all of us who believe in Christ on other (John 17:17-19). And so casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, also entails our bringing every thought into the captivity to the obedience of Christ, because every assault on a Christian always begins in the mind. And so the Apostle Paul wants the Corinthians obedience first, so that once they had distinighuished themselves from his dectrators he might be able to punish those who are wilfully disobedient and incoragable amongst them. For when the Corinthians seperate and distinguish themselves from those are disobedient among them, then the Apostle Paul will deal with them.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Word Studies 
Vs. 6 punish, ἐκδικέω: to punish, on the basis of what is rightly deserved—‘to punish, to cause to suffer, punishment.’ Louw Nida 38:8

Additional Resources Consulted 
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 489). New York: United Bible Societies.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. ⁹ As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” ¹⁰ Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, ¹¹ while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. ¹² For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, ¹³ while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, ¹⁴ and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Commentary

Vs. 6 "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

To begin, the Apostle Paul reiterates a Scriptural principal on sowing and reaping. For just as what one sows in the moral realm that they will also reap (Gal 6:7-8), so to this principal applies when it comes to our giving (Prov 11:24-25; 22:9). And so being generous, and all of the positive spin off effects from it, is not something that came to be in the New Covenant era. For throughout the Scriptures God has always commended generosity as a mark of true Godliness and righteousness (consider Isaiah 32:8). Therefore though we are not now commanded to give a certain amount, or even a certain percentage of what we posses; sowing sparingly means that one will only reap sparingly, while sowing bountifully means that one will reap bountifully. As God's Word says:  "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." Therefore whether it is our being generous towards God (Luke 12:15-21), or our being generous towards our fellow person (Luke 16:1-15), you cannot sow sparingly (that is sow sparingly proportionate to what you already posses) and then think that you will reap bountifully from God, as Jesus warns, "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?" Luke 16:11-12 Therefore this principal of sowing and reaping should never be divorced from any preaching or teaching on our giving, since it is stated here first. Therefore take it to heart first, and then base your giving on it.   

Vs. 7 "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

Having presented to us all the Godly principal of sowing and reaping, the Apostle Paul now leaves it up to us to decide for ourselves just how much we will give; and thus whether we will reap sparingly or bountifully. Therefore we are all to give according to what we purpose in our own hearts, and not according to what someone else purposes for us to give in their hearts. For then we would not be giving according to our own hearts desires, but theirs. And very likely then our giving would only be done grudgingly, or of necessity, and not cheerfully as God desires that we all give. Therefore in the heart of every giver there must first be a willing heart if our gift is to have God's favor. For God loves a cheerful giver, not a begrudging one. And so commanding tithing is simply not to be done in the New Covenant era. For the Apostle Paul in all of His Apostolic Authority never did. Instead he by the Spirit of God, in accord with the grace of God, refuses to compel or command anyone to do so, even when the offering that he was gathering through these exhortations was for some very poor brethren. Therefore we are not to be judged by another believers conscience (whether pastor or teacher or anyone else) in regards to our giving, nor are we to judge them (Rom 14:4). Instead we are all to give as we purpose in our own hearts, and thus we are all to give not grudgingly, or of necessity, but willingly, so that all that we give is done so freely, for God loves a cheerful giver, not a begrudging one. 

Vs. 8 "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."

Now to help forward our generous and free-will giving, the Apostle Paul now makes it clear that God is able to make all grace abound towards us, so that we always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work (vs. 8). Thus God's grace isn't just the means of our salvation, but it is also the means through which God blesses us all, so that we all might have an abundance for every good work. Notice that God bringing His blessing into our lives is for our being able to do the good in this world that God desires to be done. Yes God does indeed give us all things to richly enjoy, but that exhortation is given in the light of our being rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share (see 1 Tim. 6:17-19). And so enjoying the prosperity and good things that God has blessed you with is absolutely fine, just don't let riches dictate your life and your life's goals (consider Prov. 23:4-5; 27:20; 28:20; Matt. 6:19-24; 1 Tim 6:9-10; Heb 12:14). For there is so much more too this new life In Christ then merely striving for more (consider Ecc. 4:7-8). 

Vs. 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

Now in order to awaken our own desires to do the good that God desires that we all do, the Apostle Paul now cites Psalm 112:9 which states: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Thus to disperse freely and generously to the poor in their time of need is a righteousness that will never be forgotten by God. Thus each and every believer who makes it their business to be about bringing God's blessing to the poor, specifically their poor brethren (Matt 25:34-40), can look forward to being blessed forever by Him (consider Luke 12:12-14). 

Vs. 10-11 ¹⁰ Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, ¹¹ while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 

The Apostle Paul now makes his supplication to God, saying that just as God supplies seed to the sower; and thus through it comes bread by which many are nourished; so God who gives us "seed" (i.e. "the means") to sow His blessings in the earth, will multiply the seed that we have already sown, and will increase the fruits of our righteousness as we give freely and abundantly (vs. 10), which ultimately causes many thanksgivings to God (vs. 11).  Notice again our being enriched by God in everything is for our liberality, that is that we might be able to be generous in our giving, which ultimately brings thanksgiving to God. And here the thanksgiving that would come to God, was coming through the Apostle Paul as he administered the Corinthians gift on their behalf. And so the needy saints would not only praising God for this, but the Corinthians themselves would also be, when Paul reports back to them all the good that God has done through them. 

Vs. 12-15 ¹² For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, ¹³ while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, ¹⁴ and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

The administration of this service was not only supplying the needs of the saints, but was also causing many thanksgivings to abound towards God (vs. 12). As well this ministry (that was meeting the needs of many saints, i.e. brethren) was proof to them of the Corinthians love and faith. Therefore the Apostle Paul says that they glorify God for the Corinthians obedience to their confession of the gospel of Christ, and for their liberal sharing with them, and with all men (vs. 13). Now if there is a greater honesty to ones confession of faith in Jesus Christ then meeting the needs of those brethren who are in need I can't think of it. Thus the Corinthians by their doing so, weren't just being hearers of the Gospel, they were doers (consider Matt. 25:31-46; James 2:14-26; 1 John 3:16-18). Therefore let us all be doers of the Word so that all people everywhere will know that God is working mightily through His people for the benefit of all. Now the Apostle Paul also says that the saints were not only recipients of the Corinthians generosity, but they themselves were praying for them, and were longing to see them because of the exceeding grace of God at work in them. Quite a compliment for the Corinthians coming from those who were their "elders" in the faith. To conclude the Apostle Paul exudes with joy and thanksgiving towards God because of the Corinthians obedience to Him (vs. 15).

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

2 Corinthians 9:1-5

¹ Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; ² for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. ³ Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; ⁴ lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. ⁵ Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.

Commentary
Vs. 1 "Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you"

The Apostle Paul now acknowledges that it was not necessary for him to write to them about the needs of the brethren in Judea and Jerusalem (i.e. "the ministry to the saints"). The Corinthians already knew these things and had begun a collection on their own for them. And so Paul says it is superfluous for me to write to you; that is to readdress all of the reasons why they should do this good thing for them, for they themselves had already demonstrated their own willingness to do so. 

Vs. 2 "for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority." 

The Apostle Paul now acknowledges the Corinthians own willingness, of which he himself had already boasted of too the Macedonian churches, saying that already a year ago the believers in Achaia (i.e. the Roman province that was in the southern part of Greece to which the Corinthians belonged) were already very zealous for this good work. Now when the Apostle Paul reported the Corinthians zeal to them, it stirred up all the believers in Macedonia, who then wanted to be about doing the same. 

Vs. 3-4 ³ Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; ⁴ lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. 

The Apostle Paul is clearly being as diplomatic as he can in his assertions that the Corinthians need to fulfill their promise; neither wanting to offend the Corinthians; or worse compel them to do something unless they themselves are still wanting to do it. And so here Paul again states his reason for sending these brethren to them, so that when he himself comes to them; quite possibility with some Macedonian brethren this time; the Corinthians are not caught unaware and unprepared, which as he points out would not only be a major embarrassment to himself, but also them as well. 

Vs. 5 "Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation."

And so in order to have all things prepared and set in order before his arrival, the Apostle Paul dispatched those previously mentioned brethren to them; to prepare their generous gift; so "...that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation." Again the theme of giving as a matter of free-will, of being born out of a generous and compassionate spirit, rather than something being done as a grudging obligation, is at the heart of the Gospel. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.