2 Corinthians 9
- Who wrote it
- Paul
- Who it was for
- The church in Corinth
- What was happening
- Sowing generously and giving cheerfully: the purpose of the collection
What’s happening
Paul says it is superfluous to write about the service to the saints, since he knows their readiness and has boasted about it to the Macedonians, saying that Achaia was ready a year ago, and their zeal has stirred up most of them. Yet he sends the brothers so that their boasting may not be empty and so that, if Macedonians come with him and find them unprepared, they would be ashamed. He wants their gift to be ready as a willing gift, not as an extortion. "Now this I say: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." God is able to make all grace abound to them, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, they may abound to every good work, as it is written, "He has scattered abroad. He has given to the needy. His righteousness remains forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply their seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of their righteousness, so that they are enriched in everything to all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through Paul and his companions. The service not only supplies the needs of the saints but overflows in many thanksgivings to God, and through the proof of this service they will glorify God for their obedience to the confession of Christ's Good News and for the generosity of their sharing with them and with all, while the saints long for them and pray for them because of the surpassing grace of God in them. "Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!"
Why the setting matters
In the ancient world, a gift usually carried the expectation of something returned, and the giver gained honor from the one who received. Paul turns that around: the aim of the gift is not honor for the Corinthians but "thanksgiving to God" and the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers, who will pray for each other. His agricultural pictures (sowing and reaping, seed and bread) draw on Proverbs 11:24-25 and Psalm 112:9. It is worth noticing what the passage does not teach: it does not promise wealth to givers, but promises that God will supply what they need so that they may keep giving. "God loves a cheerful giver" draws on Proverbs 22:8 in the Greek translation. Paul is also candid about social pressure: he mentions that his boasting to the Macedonians about Corinth could embarrass them. The "indescribable gift" in 9:15 is not defined but is generally taken to mean Christ, or God's grace as a whole.
Who’s in this chapter
Paul
Encourages cheerful, planned giving.
The believers in Corinth
Their readiness had been a boast to others.
The Macedonian churches
Stirred by Corinth's zeal, now might visit with Paul.
The poor in Jerusalem
Would pray for the givers and give thanks to God.
Talk it through
- "Not reluctantly or under compulsion." How does Paul make room for giving that is both planned and free?
- Paul links giving to thanksgiving. How could giving be an act of worship?
- The promise is that God will provide what is needed to keep giving, not riches. How does that change how you read the passage?
- What is the "indescribable gift" Paul thanks God for at the end?
Read 2 Corinthians 9
World English Bible
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 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 to 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!
Text: World English Bible, Public domain. About our sources