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2 Corinthians 9

KJV · Chapter 9/13

1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

3Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

14And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

📖 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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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