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Bro. Turner:
 Did
the Corinthian church send contributions to non-saints, 2 Cor.
9:13?
Reply:
If
they did there is no evidence of it. This passage is clearly a
reference to the collection “for the poor saints which are at
Jerusalem” (Rom. 15:25-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1-f.).
Laws of context indicate this, and commentaries generally
acknowledge the same. “Unto all” (“men” is not in the
Greek but is supplied) refers to “all” of like
characteristics as the “them.”
Remember,
the donors of these gifts are Gentiles, and the recipients are
Jews. Paul felt the rift in Jewish-Gentile relations night be
helped by this Gentile concern for Jewish brethren; but the
situation was so ticklish that he asked the Romans to pray “that
my ministration which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to
the Saints” (Rom. 15:30-f).
Now,
in 2 Cor. 9:12, the “ministration of this service” these two
things. It 1) “not only filleth up the. .wants of the saints”
i.e., satisfies their physical needs; but it 2) “aboundeth
also through many thanksgivings unto God” i.e., causes the
recipients to praise and thank God. Verse 13 expands this last
thought by saying the recipients “glorify God for” (epi, on
account of) two things: 1) “the obedience of your confession
unto the gospel of Christ; and 2) “for the liberality of your
koinonias (fellowship).” This fellowship (K.J. “distribution”;
A.S. “contribution”) is unto 1) “them” and 2) “unto
all.”
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Some
debaters tell us that the “unto all” (eis pantas) is found
five times in the N.T., and that it always refers to non-saints.
One need not know Greek to see this is illogical. How could “unto
all” in and of itself refer to saint or non-saint? That must
be determined by the context in which “unto all” is found.
Also, in 1 Thes. 3:12; Paul commends the saint’s love toward
one-another and toward all (eis pantas) even as he loved the
brethren of Thessalonica. The context here strongly suggests all
saints. The “all” (pasin) of Acts 2:45 refers to saints —
clear enough here, and enforced by the detailed accounts of such
benevolence in Acts 4:34-f. and Acts 6:1-4. Likewise, an
unbiased study of 2 Cor. 9:13 shows that “unto all” refers
to other saints.
But
when careful analytical study fails to justify a false position
the devotees often turn to prejudices. We are accused of a
heartless unconcern for the needy of the world. I remind you we
are discussing what the church did from its treasury, in an
organized capacity. The “church” has an obligation to “widows
indeed” that it does not have to widows who are the
responsibility of individuals (1 Tim. 5:16). This does not
warrant the conclusion that there is no concern for other
widows. It simply defines and limits collective
responsibilities.
The
church distributively — individual saints — have many
social, domestic, civil, and other responsibilities that are not
the assigned work of the church collectively — as an organized
unit. The Lord’s church allows the Lord to settle such
matters.
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