2 Coríntios 9

BLIVRE · Chapter 9/13

1Porque não é necessário vos escrever sobre o trabalho que se faz para os santos.

2Porque eu sei a prontidão de vosso ânimo, do qual eu me orgulho de vós para os Macedônios, que Acaia já está pronta desde o ano passado; e o zelo que [começou] de vós tem estimulado a muitos.

3Porém enviei a estes irmãos, para que nosso orgulho quanto a vós neste assunto não seja vão; para que (como eu já disse) possais estar prontos.

4Para que, se caso vierem [alguns] macedônios comigo, e vos encontrarem despreparados, não nos envergonhemos (para não dizermos vós), por causa da confiança neste orgulho.

5Portanto achei necessário dizer a estes irmãos que viessem primeiro até vós, e preparassem primeiro vossa generosidade, já antes prometida, para que esteja pronta como boa vontade e não como avareza.

6[Digo] , porém isto, que o que semeia pouco, também pouco colherá; e o que semeia generosamente, também generosamente colherá.

7Cada qual [faça] como propõe em [seu] coração, não com tristeza, ou por obrigação; porque Deus ama ao que dá com alegria.

8E Deus é poderoso para fazer abundar em vós toda graça, para que sempre tendo de tudo, em tudo suficientes, abundeis em toda boa obra.

9Assim como está escrito: Ele espalhou [e] deu aos pobres; sua justiça permanece para sempre.

10Ora, aquele que dá a semente ao que semeia, também [vos] dê pão para comer, e multiplique sua sementeira, e aumente os frutos de vossa justiça.

11Para que em tudo enriqueçais em toda generosidade, a qual opera por nós, [resultando] em graças a Deus.

12Porque o trabalho deste serviço está suprindo não somente a falta dos santos, mas também se torna abundante em muitas graças a Deus.

13Porque pela prova deste trabalho, glorificarão a Deus quanto à submissão de vossa confissão ao Evangelho de Cristo, e [da] bondade da comunhão para com eles e para com todos;

14E por sua oração por vós, tendo saudades de vós, por causa da excelente graça de Deus sobre vós.

15E graças a Deus por seu dom indescritível.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

Paul continues the topic of the collection for the Christians in Jerusalem, encouraging the Corinthians to give cheerfully and not under compulsion. He teaches that God multiplies the generosity of those who sow bountifully, and that this offering glorifies God and strengthens the bonds between the churches.

Explanation

Continuing the theme from the previous chapter, Paul emphasizes the right attitude in giving: “not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (v.7), one of the most quoted statements on generosity in all of Scripture. The comparison to sowing and reaping illustrates a spiritual principle: generosity does not impoverish but is blessed and multiplied by God, both materially and spiritually. Paul also highlights the social and spiritual effect of the offering: it meets real needs, but it also produces gratitude to God and strengthens unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians from different regions. Today's practical application encourages a generous lifestyle, motivated by gratitude rather than forced obligation, recognizing God as the source of all provision.

Fun facts

  • The phrase 'God loveth a cheerful giver' uses, in the original Greek, the word from which the term 'hilarious' derives, literally linking genuine generosity to a joyful, spontaneous disposition.
  • The quotation of Psalm 112:9 (v.9) about the righteous man who 'hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor' connects Christian generosity to a tradition of social justice that had already existed for centuries in Hebrew wisdom literature.

Verse-by-verse explanation

  1. 2 Coríntios 9:1He begins by saying he wouldn't even need to write more about the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, since the Corinthians already know how important it is — but he keeps pressing the subject anyway.
  2. 2 Coríntios 9:2He tells how he had already boasted to the Macedonians about the Corinthians' readiness, saying the region of Achaia had been ready since the year before — an extra incentive for them to actually fulfill what was promised.
  3. 2 Coríntios 9:3He explains why he is sending brothers ahead: to make sure the Corinthians are truly ready, and that the praise Paul gave them isn't proven false in practice.
  4. 2 Coríntios 9:4He fears being put to shame, along with the Corinthians, if some Macedonians come with him and find the collection unprepared — after so much praise given about them.
  5. 2 Coríntios 9:5That's why he decided to send the brothers ahead of time, to organize the gift in advance, as something given willingly, and not as a demand extracted by force.
  6. 2 Coríntios 9:6He introduces a simple farming principle for giving: whoever sows sparingly reaps sparingly; whoever sows generously reaps generously — an analogy to encourage generosity.
  7. 2 Coríntios 9:7“God loveth a cheerful giver” sums up the spirit Paul wants for the collection: a gift given from the heart, without pressure or sadness, compared to the logic of planting more to harvest more.
  8. 2 Coríntios 9:8He promises that God has the power to make enough resources abound for whoever gives generously, ensuring there will always be enough to keep doing good.
  9. 2 Coríntios 9:9He quotes a psalm (112:9) about someone generous to the poor, whose righteousness endures forever, applying that description to whoever takes part in the collection with the same spirit.
  10. 2 Coríntios 9:10He again uses the farming image: just as God supplies the seed to the sower, He will also multiply what the Corinthians give, increasing the fruits of their generosity.
  11. 2 Coríntios 9:11He promises that the Corinthians' generosity will result in even more reasons for thanksgiving to God, both for them and for those who receive it through Paul.
  12. 2 Coríntios 9:12He explains that the collection has two effects: supplying the practical needs of the poor Christians in Jerusalem, and at the same time generating even more thanksgiving to God.
  13. 2 Coríntios 9:13Paul explains that the collection for Jerusalem isn't only material help: it also serves as public proof that the Gentile Christians truly accepted and live the gospel, which produces thanksgiving to God from those who receive it.
  14. 2 Coríntios 9:14He describes the spiritual bond created by the gift: those who receive it will pray for the Corinthians, longing for them because of the surpassing grace of God they saw in their attitude.
  15. 2 Coríntios 9:15The phrase “unspeakable gift” closes the subject of the collection with a comparison: the Corinthians' generous gift is only a small reflection of the gift God has already given, impossible to describe in words — Christ Himself.

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