What did Paul mean by his statement in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “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.”
Paul knew that “grace” from GOD was not to be a license to sin, but that it was a powerful influence by GOD upon the heart to produce HIS reflection in the life.(see Strong’s for definition of grace / GRK. charis)
Today, during a time when much of Christianity has taken a position that pits “grace” in opposition to any sort of “work”, we find the apostle stating what appears to be the opposite of that very position! How can this be if Paul is truly the champion that he has been portrayed to be? One who (supposedly) is in opposition to any Law based discipleship in obedience to GOD’S will? Have we missed something?
What is even more ironic is that the apostle then substantiates his remarks in the next verse by quoting from Psalm 112! So, lets take a look at that Psalm in it’s entirety to find out why Paul would quote from it.
Praise the LORD!
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
Who delights greatly in His commandments.
Notice: he who fears the LORD delights in HIS commandments!
2 His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.
That same man and his descendants will be blessed!
3 Wealth and riches will be in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever.
HE will be prosperous and his right standing with GOD endures!
4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Because he is the recipient of the grace of GOD, he measures out that same reflection to others and will not walk in darkness, humbling himself and expressing compassion to those truly in need, in a right way.
5 A good man deals graciously and lends;
He will guide his affairs with discretion.
Because he fears the LORD and walks in HIS commandments, he walks in integrity, in generosity, in wisdom and does not draw attention to himself.
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
He will not be shaken even though he knows that YHWH is shaking everything, thus he will be remembered and admired.
7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Bad news will not bring him fear because he is rooted and grounded in YHWH!
8 His heart is established;
He will not be afraid,
Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
He has the faith in what GOD has said to be able to see him through attacks that his enemies had intended for him, but ultimately will be turned back upon them.
9 He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever;
His horn will be exalted with honor.
He gives of his prosperity where / when he sees a need, thus sewing into the lives of others, confident that his prosperity is for that very purpose.
10 The wicked will see it and be grieved;
He will gnash his teeth and melt away;
The desire of the wicked shall perish.
Those who do not fear the LORD and do not delight in HIS commandments cannot understand how the righteous man continues and in their hatred and bitterness, nor can they perceive their own demise…
From reading this Psalm, it looks like the context of associating the “fear of the LORD” with “delighting in HIS commandments” IS the very reason why the apostle quotes from it in 2 Corinthians 9:8 to confirm the oneness of “grace” with “work” so that others would not fall into the error of making them opposites, wouldn’t you say?
