Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same {a} confident boasting.

(a) The word which he uses signifies a mind so steady and established that it cannot be moved by any terror or fear.

People's New Testament

9:4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me. Luke named certain brethren of Macedonia who did attend him (Ac 20:4).

And find you unprepared, we... should be ashamed. If these should find Corinth unprepared with the collection when Paul came, after what he had said, it would fill him with shame.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4. if they of Macedonia-rather as Greek, "if Macedonians."

unprepared-with your collection; see 2Co 9:2, "ready," Greek, "prepared."

we, not to say ye-Ye would naturally feel more ashamed for yourselves, than we (who boasted of you) would for you.

confident boasting-The oldest manuscripts read simply "confidence," namely, in your liberality.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:1-5 When we would have others do good, we must act toward them prudently and tenderly, and give them time. Christians should consider what is for the credit of their profession, and endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. The duty of ministering to the saints is so plain, that there would seem no need to exhort Christians to it; yet self-love contends so powerfully against the love of Christ, that it is often necessary to stir up their minds by way of remembrance.

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Chapter 9

In this chapter the apostle seems to excuse his earnestness in pressing the Corinthians to the duty of charity (v. 1-5), and proceeds to give directions about the acceptable way and manner of performing it, namely, bountifully, deliberately, and freely; and gives good encouragement for so doing (v. 6 to the end).

Verses 1-5

In these verses the apostle speaks very respectfully to the Corinthians, and with great skill; and, while he seems to excuse his urging them so earnestly to charity, still presses them thereto, and shows how much his heart was set upon this matter.

I. He tells them it was needless to press them with further arguments to afford relief to their poor brethren (v. 1), being satisfied he had said enough already to prevail with those of whom he had so good an opinion. For, 1. He knew their forwardness to every good work, and how they had begun this good work a year ago, insomuch that, 2. He had boasted of their zeal to the Macedonians, and this had provoked many of them to do as they had done. Wherefore he was persuaded, that, as they had begun well, they would go on well; and so, commending them for what they had done, he lays an obligation on them to proceed and persevere.

II. He seems to apologize for sending Titus and the other brethren to them. He is unwilling they should be offended at him for this, as if he were too earnest, and pressed too hard upon them; and tells the true reasons why he sent them, namely, 1. That, having this timely notice, they might be fully ready (v. 3), and not surprised with hasty demands, when he should come to them. When we would have others to do that which is good we must act towards them prudently and tenderly, and give them time. 2. That he might not be ashamed of his boasting concerning them, if they should be found unready, v. 3, 4. He intimates that some from Macedonia might haply come with him: and, if the collection should not then be made, this would make him, not to say them, ashamed, considering the boasting of the apostle concerning them. Thus careful was he to preserve their reputation and his own. Note, Christians should consult the reputation of their profession, and endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.