2 Corinthians9
World English Bible · Public Domain
1It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
2for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to those of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for the past year. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
3But I have sent the brothers so that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
4lest by any means, if anyone from Macedonia comes there with me and finds you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) would be disappointed in this confident boasting.
5I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
6Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
9As it is written, “He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”
10Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.
12For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God,
13seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all,
14while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
15Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable 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