New Testament
2 Corinthians 9
Overview
Paul continues the appeal for the Jerusalem collection, now focusing on the spirit and assurance of completion. He has boasted to the Macedonians about Corinth's earlier zeal, so he sends the brothers ahead to ready the gift, lest both he and the Corinthians be humiliated if found unprepared. He frames giving as something that should be "a willing gift, not an exaction." Then he states the harvest principle: he who sows sparingly reaps sparingly, and he who sows bountifully reaps bountifully—each giving as he has decided in his heart, "for God loves a cheerful giver." Paul promises that God is able to make all grace abound so the giver will always have enough to abound in every good work, quoting Psalm 112:9. He closes by showing the rich double fruit of the collection: it supplies the needs of the saints and overflows in many thanksgivings to God, prompting the recipients to glorify God and pray for the givers. The chapter ends on a doxology: "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"
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!