2 Corinthians9
New International Version
1There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people.
2For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.
3But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
4For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
11You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given 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