2 Corinthians 9:10

KJV

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;)

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} he that ministereth {G2023} seed {G4690} to the sower {G4687} both {G2532} minister {G5524} bread {G740} for {G1519} your food {G1035}, and {G2532} multiply {G4129} your {G5216} seed sown {G4703}, and {G2532} increase {G837} the fruits {G1081} of your {G5216} righteousness {G1343};)

Complete Jewish Bible

He who provides both seed for the planter and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your tzedakah.

Berean Standard Bible

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

American Standard Version

And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Corinthians 9:10 serves as a profound assurance within Paul's discourse on Christian giving, underscoring God's unfailing faithfulness as the ultimate provider. It promises that the same divine hand that supplies the sower with seed for planting and bread for sustenance will also multiply the resources generously sown by believers, thereby increasing the spiritual harvest of their righteousness. This verse encourages a mindset of trusting abundance, where generosity is not a depletion but an investment in God's economy, yielding both material provision and spiritual fruit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger, two-chapter discussion ([2 Corinthians 8-9](/2_corinthians/8 "2 Corinthians 8 - The Collection for the Saints")) where Paul exhorts the Corinthian church to complete their promised contribution for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem. Paul uses the example of the Macedonian churches' sacrificial generosity ([2 Corinthians 8:1-5](/2_corinthians/8-1-5 "2 Corinthians 8:1-5 - The Macedonian Example")) to inspire the Corinthians. He emphasizes that giving should be voluntary, cheerful, and proportional to one's means, not under compulsion ([2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - Cheerful Giving")). [2 Corinthians 9:10](/2_corinthians/9-10 "2 Corinthians 9:10 - God's Provision for Generous Giving") directly follows the principle that "he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" ([2 Corinthians 9:6](/2_corinthians/9-6 "2 Corinthians 9:6 - Sowing and Reaping")), providing the divine guarantee that God will enable and reward such bountiful sowing.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The collection Paul was organizing was a significant act of solidarity between the Gentile churches and the Jewish Christian community in Jerusalem, demonstrating the unity of the body of Christ and offering practical relief to those suffering from famine and poverty. In the Greco-Roman world, patronage and reciprocal relationships were common, but Paul redefines generosity through a distinctly Christian lens, emphasizing God as the primary patron. The agricultural imagery of sowing and reaping was universally understood in an agrarian society, making the metaphor of giving as "sowing" highly relatable. This context also highlights the early church's commitment to caring for its members, particularly the vulnerable, reflecting a core aspect of their communal life and witness.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Corinthians 9:10](/2_corinthians/9-10 "2 Corinthians 9:10 - God's Provision for Generous Giving") powerfully reinforces several key themes prevalent in [2 Corinthians](/2_corinthians/1 "2 Corinthians - Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians") and Paul's broader theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Provision and Sufficiency**, asserting God as the ultimate source of all resources, both for daily sustenance and for acts of generosity. This aligns with Paul's declaration that "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work" ([2 Corinthians 9:8](/2_corinthians/9-8 "2 Corinthians 9:8 - God's Abundant Grace")). Another crucial theme is the **Principle of Sowing and Reaping**, an agricultural metaphor extended to spiritual and material giving, where generous contributions are seen not as losses but as investments that God will multiply, as also seen in [Galatians 6:7-9](/galatians/6-7-9 "Galatians 6:7-9 - Sowing and Reaping"). Finally, the verse emphasizes the **Increase of Righteousness**, indicating that God's multiplication extends beyond material wealth to the spiritual fruit of a righteous character, which glorifies God and benefits others, echoing the "fruit of righteousness" mentioned in [Philippians 1:11](/philippians/1-11 "Philippians 1:11 - Fruits of Righteousness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ministereth (Greek, _epichorēgéō'_):** This verb, derived from a root meaning "to be a dance-leader" or "to furnish," denotes a lavish and abundant supply, going beyond mere provision to signify a full and generous furnishing. In this context, it highlights God's overflowing generosity in supplying seed to the sower and bread for food. It suggests that God's provision is not minimal but ample and enabling.
* **seed (Greek, _spérma'_):** Literally "something sown," this term refers to the grain or material that is planted with the expectation of a future harvest. Figuratively, in this verse, "seed" represents the resources—financial or otherwise—that believers "sow" through their acts of generous giving. The concept implies an investment that is expected to yield a return.
* **righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** This word signifies equity of character or act, and in a Christian theological sense, refers to justification and a right standing with God, leading to right conduct. Here, "fruits of your righteousness" refers to the good deeds, moral excellence, and spiritual growth that result from a life lived in accordance with God's will, particularly as manifested through acts of generous and loving service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now he that ministereth seed to the sower":** This clause identifies God as the ultimate source of all provision. Just as a farmer relies on God for the seed to plant, so too does the believer rely on God for the resources that enable generosity. God is not merely a recipient of gifts, but the initial and ongoing supplier.
* **"both minister bread for [your] food":** This part assures believers that God also provides for their basic needs. The same God who gives resources for sowing (giving) also provides sustenance for daily living. This dispels any fear that generosity will lead to personal lack, reinforcing God's faithfulness to care for His children.
* **"and multiply your seed sown":** This is a direct promise of divine multiplication. God will not only replenish what has been given but will increase it, ensuring that the act of giving is not a depletion but an investment that yields a greater return, enabling further acts of generosity.
* **"and increase the fruits of your righteousness;":** This final clause points to a spiritual return that transcends material gain. God's multiplication extends to the spiritual realm, enhancing the believer's character, good works, and spiritual influence. Generosity cultivates a more righteous life, producing tangible expressions of faith that glorify God.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful **Metaphor** throughout this passage, likening generous giving to the act of "sowing" and the resulting blessings to a "harvest." This agricultural imagery is deeply resonant, drawing on common experiences to illustrate profound spiritual truths. The verse also exhibits **Parallelism** in its structure, presenting a series of divine actions: God "ministereth seed," "ministereth bread," "multiply[ies] your seed sown," and "increase[s] the fruits of your righteousness." This rhythmic structure emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's provision and blessing. Furthermore, there's an element of **Personification** in portraying God as the active "minister" and "multiplier," highlighting His personal involvement and faithfulness in the lives of those who give generously.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Corinthians 9:10](/2_corinthians/9-10 "2 Corinthians 9:10 - God's Provision for Generous Giving") beautifully encapsulates the theological principle of divine reciprocity, where God responds to human generosity with His own superabundant provision. It dismantles the scarcity mindset, replacing it with a theology of abundance rooted in God's character. This verse teaches that true giving is not a deficit but a participation in God's ongoing work of provision and transformation, where material resources become channels for spiritual growth and the spread of righteousness. It affirms God's sovereignty over all resources and His delight in partnering with His people to meet needs and advance His kingdom.

* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Supplies All Needs")
* [Proverbs 11:24-25](/proverbs/11-24-25 "Proverbs 11:24-25 - Generosity and Prosperity")
* [Luke 6:38](/luke/6-38 "Luke 6:38 - Give and It Will Be Given")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[2 Corinthians 9:10](/2_corinthians/9-10 "2 Corinthians 9:10 - God's Provision for Generous Giving") invites believers to live with radical trust in God's provision, transforming their perspective on material possessions and generosity. It challenges us to view our resources not as solely our own, but as "seed" entrusted to us by God, to be sown for His purposes. This understanding liberates us from the fear of lack and empowers us to give cheerfully and bountifully, knowing that God is faithful to replenish and multiply. The promise extends beyond material return, assuring us that our generosity cultivates a deeper spiritual harvest—an increase in righteousness—which is ultimately more valuable and enduring. This verse calls us to be active participants in God's economy, becoming channels of His blessing to a needy world, confident that our needs will be met and our spiritual lives enriched.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as the "minister of seed" change your perspective on your own financial resources and your capacity to give?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God multiplying what you have "sown," either materially or spiritually?**
* **Beyond financial giving, what other "seeds" (e.g., time, talents, prayer) can you sow generously, trusting God to increase the "fruits of your righteousness"?**
* **What fears or hesitations might prevent you from embracing a more generous lifestyle, and how can the promises in this verse address those concerns?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse promise financial prosperity to all who give generously?**

Answer: While [2 Corinthians 9:10](/2_corinthians/9-10 "2 Corinthians 9:10 - God's Provision for Generous Giving") certainly speaks to material provision ("bread for your food" and "multiply your seed sown"), it's crucial to interpret it within its broader context and the whole counsel of Scripture. The primary focus of Paul's argument in [2 Corinthians 8-9](/2_corinthians/8 "2 Corinthians 8 - The Collection for the Saints") is on enabling *further* generosity and increasing *righteousness*, not necessarily guaranteeing personal wealth accumulation. God promises to supply what is needed for both personal sustenance and continued giving, and to grow the spiritual fruit of the giver. While financial blessing can be part of God's provision, the ultimate "increase" is often spiritual, leading to greater capacity for good works and a deeper relationship with God, as seen in the phrase "increase the fruits of your righteousness."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[2 Corinthians 9:10](/2_corinthians/9-10 "2 Corinthians 9:10 - God's Provision for Generous Giving"), with its focus on divine provision and the multiplication of "seed sown" and "fruits of righteousness," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "sower" of the kingdom of God, scattering the good news of salvation and laying down His life as the ultimate "seed" ([John 12:24](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - The Grain of Wheat")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ not only provided the "bread of life" for our spiritual sustenance ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) but also became the source of all true righteousness for believers ([Romans 3:21-22](/romans/3-21-22 "Romans 3:21-22 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Our "righteousness" is not merely our own good deeds but a gift imputed to us through faith in Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Therefore, when God "increases the fruits of your righteousness," He is cultivating Christ-likeness within us, enabling us to bear fruit that glorifies Him, not by our own strength but by the power of the Spirit working through our union with the true vine ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ")). In Christ, God's promise to supply and multiply is fully realized, empowering His church to be generous stewards of His grace, reflecting His own boundless love to the world ([Ephesians 2:7](/ephesians/2-7 "Ephesians 2:7 - God's Riches in Kindness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 55:10

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

2 Corinthians 9:6

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

Hosea 10:12

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both [shall be] alike good.

Proverbs 11:18

¶ The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness [shall be] a sure reward.

Philippians 4:17

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

1 Thessalonians 3:12

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you: