Note 2 at 2 Cor. 9:2: This is Paul's second mention of the fact that the Corinthians had desired to send a gift to the saints in Jerusalem a year before (2 Cor. 8:10-11). It impressed Paul that the Corinthians had voluntarily wanted to participate in this offering and he wanted to preserve the freewill status of their gift. Verse 7 makes it very clear that God loves those who give from a free heart, without compulsion. Paul did too.

Note 3 at 2 Cor. 9:2: Paul used the eagerness of the Corinthians to participate in this offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem, to provoke others to give (see note 2 at 2 Cor. 8:8, p. 1020).