2 Corinthians9

Paul expresses confidence in the Corinthians' readiness to contribute to the collection for the saints, having previously boasted of their zeal. He sends brethren to ensure their promised bounty is prepared as a willing gift, not out of obligation. The chapter emphasizes that cheerful and bountiful giving leads to abundant blessings, meets the needs of the saints, and ultimately brings glory and thanksgiving to God.

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Preparation for the Collection

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

For 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.

Yet 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:

Lest 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.

Therefore 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.

The Blessings of Sowing Bountifully

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

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

And 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:

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

Now 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;)

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

The Fruit of Generous Ministry

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

Whiles 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;

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

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Study Notes for 2 Corinthians 9

Verse 1

Paul continues the discussion from chapter 8 regarding the collection (ministering) for the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. He claims writing about it is 'superfluous' because he trusts their dedication.

Verse 2

Achaia (the province where Corinth was located) had been ready a year ago, which Paul used to motivate the Macedonians (Philippi, Thessalonica). This zeal refers to their initial commitment.

Verse 3

Paul sends the brethren (likely Titus and others mentioned in 8:16–24) to ensure the Corinthians finalize the collection, validating Paul’s confident boasting about their reliability.

Verse 4

The shame Paul fears is not just their own, but his, having staked his reputation on their reliability before the Macedonians who had already given generously.

Verse 5

The gift must be finalized beforehand, demonstrating it is a genuine blessing ('bounty' or eulogia) rather than a grudging tax or forced contribution ('covetousness').

Verse 6

This agricultural metaphor establishes the principle of reciprocity in giving: the amount of spiritual and material return is directly proportional to the generosity of the initial investment.

Verse 7

Christian giving must be voluntary, joyful, and intentional ('purposeth in his heart'). Paul quotes the Septuagint (LXX) version of Proverbs 22:8, emphasizing that God values the attitude of the giver above the amount.

Verse 8

Paul assures them that God will replenish their resources ('all sufficiency') so they can continue to give generously, connecting divine provision directly to their philanthropic mission.

Verse 9

Paul quotes Psalm 112:9, applying the Old Testament description of a righteous person’s enduring generosity to the believers’ actions, proving their righteousness before God.

Verse 10

Using the imagery of God providing 'seed' to the sower, Paul promises that God will multiply their resources so they have both personal sustenance ('bread for your food') and more to share.

Verse 12

The collection serves a dual purpose: meeting the material needs of the saints in Jerusalem and generating profound spiritual gratitude ('many thanksgivings') toward God.

Verse 13

The collection serves as tangible proof ('experiment' or demonstration) of the Corinthians’ submission to the Gospel, confirming the sincerity of their Gentile faith to the Jewish recipients.

Verse 14

The recipients respond to the grace shown to the Corinthians by praying for them, establishing a bond of unity and mutual affection between the Gentile and Jewish churches.

Verse 15

This doxology concludes the collection discourse. The 'unspeakable gift' is widely understood as referring to the gift of Christ himself (salvation), which motivates and enables all Christian generosity.

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2 Corinthians9

Preparation for the Collection

The Blessings of Sowing Bountifully

The Fruit of Generous Ministry

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