2 Corinthians9
New American Standard
1For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;
2for I know your willingness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
3But I have sent the brothers, in order that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you will be prepared;
4otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to mention you—would be put to shame by this confidence.
5So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers that they go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously promised generous gift, that the same would be ready as a generous gift, and not as one grudgingly given due to greediness.
6Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously.
7Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
9as it is written: “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.”
10Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;
11you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
12For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
13Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,
14while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Corinthians 9.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The reason for sending Titus to collect their alms. (1–5). The Corinthians to be liberal and cheerful, The apostle thanks God for his unspeakable gift. (6–15).
vv1-5
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.
vv6-15
Money bestowed in charity, may to the carnal mind seem thrown away, but when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, from which a valuable increase may be expected. It should be given carefully. Works of charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design. Due thought, as to our circumstances, and those we are about to relieve, will direct our gifts for charitable uses. Help should be given freely, be it more or less; not grudgingly, but cheerfully. While some scatter, and yet increase; others withhold more than is meet, and it tends to poverty. If we had more faith and love, we should waste less on ourselves, and sow more in hope of a plentiful increase. Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased? He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things. He can make us to have enough in all things; and to be content with what we have. God gives not only enough for ourselves, but that also wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and this should be as seed to be sown. We must show the reality of our subjection to the gospel, by works of charity. This will be for the credit of our profession, and to the praise and glory of God. Let us endeavour to copy the example of Christ, being unwearied in doing good, and deeming it more blessed to give than to receive. Blessed be God for the unspeakable gift of his grace, whereby he enables and inclines some of his people to bestow upon others, and others to be grateful for it; and blessed be his glorious name to all eternity, for Jesus Christ, that inestimable gift of his love, through whom this and every other good thing, pertaining to life and godliness, are freely given unto us, beyond all expression, measure, or bounds.
Key Words
γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐστί (estí): he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
περισσός (perissós): superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication, excessive; adverbially (with G1537 (ἐκ)) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence
μοί (moí): to me
γράφω (gráphō): to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ὑμῖν (hymîn): to (with or by) you
διακονία (diakonía): attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate)
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἅγιος (hágios): sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
εἴδω (eídō): used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι) and G3708 (ὁράω); properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
Cross References
2 Corinthians 9Directly quoted by Paul to prove the enduring fruit of the generous man's righteous acts.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Direct citation of the source of 'seed to the sower and bread for food'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Identifies when they began being 'ready a year ago' as mentioned in the preceding chapter.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Refers to the pre-arranged collection system in Corinth to avoid last-minute gathering.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Old Testament Hebrew precedent where a gift/bounty is explicitly called a 'blessing'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The proverbial background of scattering yet increasing vs. withholding and tending to poverty.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul's parallel agricultural metaphor of sowing and reaping applied to moral and charitable actions.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Exhorts giving with simplicity/liberality and cheerfulness, echoing Paul's criteria here.
Supported by JFB
LXX version of this proverb states 'God loves a cheerful giver' (cheerful man/bountiful eye).
Supported by JFB
Contextual background of the Macedonian churches' exemplary giving that Paul boasted about.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jacob's present to Esau is linguistically termed a 'blessing' (bounty), matching Paul's term.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Sowing in righteousness and reaping in mercy, matching 'fruits of your righteousness'.
Supported by JFB
Mosaic command to give to the poor without a grieving or grudging heart.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Christ identified as the ultimate, inexpressible, unspeakable gift of God's grace.
Supported by Matthew Henry