2 Corinthians 9:13

The Jerusalem believers and others who heard about the Corinthians’ gift would glorify God because it demonstrated the vitality of the donors’ faith (cf. James 2:14-26 for the alternative). News of the Corinthians’ former conduct probably raised some questions about their faith among the Christians in the other churches. All who confess the gospel imply that they follow the teachings of Jesus and His apostles who taught us to love the brethren (Romans 12:13; et al.). Another reason these onlookers would thank God was that the Corinthians had been sacrificially generous (Gr. haplotes) in their giving. Paul apparently believed that there would be more thanksgiving for the virtues of the Corinthians than for their gift.