2 Corinthians 9:15

KJV

Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} Thanks {G5485} be unto God {G2316} for {G1909} his {G846} unspeakable {G411} gift {G1431}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Berean Standard Bible

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

American Standard Version

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The apostle Paul concludes his detailed exhortation on generous giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9 with a profound doxology, exclaiming "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." This verse serves as the climactic expression of Paul's overflowing gratitude, shifting the focus from the Corinthians' material contribution to the ultimate source of all blessings: God's supreme, indescribable gift, which undergirds and inspires all human generosity. It encapsulates the theological truth that all good things, especially the greatest spiritual realities, originate from the divine Giver.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as the triumphant capstone to Paul's extensive teaching on Christian generosity, spanning [2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9](/2_corinthians/8 "2 Corinthians 8-9 - Principles of Giving"). Paul has meticulously laid out the theological foundations and practical implications of giving, using the Macedonian churches as an example of sacrificial liberality ([2 Corinthians 8:1-5](/2_corinthians/8-1-5 "The Example of the Macedonian Churches")). He encouraged the Corinthians to complete their promised collection for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem, emphasizing principles like willingness ([2 Corinthians 8:12](/2_corinthians/8-12 "Willingness in Giving")), equality ([2 Corinthians 8:13-15](/2_corinthians/8-13-15 "Equality in Giving")), and the spiritual harvest of sowing generously ([2 Corinthians 9:6](/2_corinthians/9-6 "Sowing Generously")). The immediate preceding verses highlight God's abundant provision for the cheerful giver ([2 Corinthians 9:8-11](/2_corinthians/9-8-11 "God's Provision for Givers")) and the twofold blessing of generosity: meeting the needs of the saints and overflowing in thanksgiving to God ([2 Corinthians 9:12-14](/2_corinthians/9-12-14 "The Double Blessing of Generosity")). Thus, [2 Corinthians 9:15](/2_corinthians/9-15 "2 Corinthians 9:15 - God's Unspeakable Gift") is not merely an isolated statement but the ultimate theological conclusion to Paul's discourse on Christian giving, elevating the discussion from human acts to divine grace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul was collecting funds from Gentile churches (like Corinth) to aid the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, who were suffering from poverty and famine. This collection served multiple purposes: practical relief, demonstrating the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ, and affirming Paul's apostolic authority. In the Greco-Roman world, patronage and reciprocal relationships were common, but Paul redefines generosity through a distinctly Christian lens, rooted in God's prior and ultimate gift. The Corinthians, known for their wealth and sometimes their internal divisions, were being challenged to embody true Christian generosity, which flows from a heart transformed by God's grace, rather than from social obligation or a desire for recognition. Paul's appeal was not a demand but an invitation to participate in a divine work, culminating in praise to God for His unparalleled benevolence.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of [2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9](/2_corinthians/8 "2 Corinthians 8-9 - Principles of Giving") is **Christian generosity** as a spiritual discipline and a tangible expression of faith. This verse specifically introduces or reinforces several key themes: **Profound Gratitude**, as Paul's exclamation is a spontaneous outpouring of thanks to God, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of all good. It emphasizes **God's Supreme Generosity**, highlighting that the "unspeakable gift" is the pinnacle of divine giving, far surpassing any human act of benevolence. This gift is the foundation and motivation for all Christian giving. The term "unspeakable" underscores the **Inexpressible Value** and **Transcendence** of God's gift, suggesting its immeasurable worth and profound nature that human language cannot fully capture. This leads to the theme of **Doxology and Worship**, as the recognition of such a gift naturally elicits praise and adoration for the Giver.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thanks (Greek, _cháris'_):** This word, G5485, is from _chaírō_ (to rejoice) and signifies graciousness, favor, or divine influence upon the heart. It also encompasses the reflection of that influence in life, including gratitude. In [2 Corinthians 9:15](/2_corinthians/9-15 "2 Corinthians 9:15 - God's Unspeakable Gift"), it denotes the profound sense of gratitude and thankfulness that Paul expresses, not merely as a polite acknowledgment but as a deep, Spirit-inspired response to God's immense generosity. It highlights that the act of giving thanks is itself a manifestation of God's grace working within the believer.
* **Unspeakable (Greek, _anekdiḗgētos'_):** This word, G411, is a compound term formed from a negative particle and a presumed derivative of _ekdiēgéomai_ (to expound fully). It means "not expounded in full," "indescribable," or "inexpressible." Paul uses this powerful adjective to convey that God's gift is so vast, so profound, and so glorious that human language and comprehension are utterly inadequate to fully describe or articulate its magnitude and significance. It evokes a sense of awe and wonder, acknowledging the transcendent nature of God's benevolence.
* **Gift (Greek, _dōreá'_):** This word, G1431, comes from _dōron_ (a gift) and specifically refers to a gratuity or a free gift, something given without expectation of return or merit. In this context, it emphasizes the unmerited nature of God's supreme provision. It is not earned or deserved but freely bestowed out of God's boundless grace. This term underscores that the "unspeakable gift" is entirely an act of divine initiative and generosity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thanks be unto God":** This opening phrase is a direct and fervent expression of doxology, a burst of praise and gratitude directed solely to God. It signifies Paul's conviction that all true blessings and the ultimate source of all good, including the very possibility of Christian generosity, originate from God. It sets the tone of profound reverence and acknowledgment of divine sovereignty.
* **"for his unspeakable gift":** This phrase identifies the specific object of Paul's thanksgiving. The "gift" is qualified as "unspeakable," meaning it is beyond human words to adequately describe or comprehend. While the immediate context is the collection for the saints, the "unspeakable gift" transcends this, pointing to God's ultimate act of generosity—the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the salvation He provides. This divine gift is the foundational reality that enables and inspires all human acts of generosity and is the ultimate reason for thanksgiving.

#### Literary Devices
[2 Corinthians 9:15](/2_corinthians/9-15 "2 Corinthians 9:15 - God's Unspeakable Gift") is a powerful example of **Doxology**, a spontaneous outburst of praise and glory directed to God. It functions as a climactic exclamation, elevating the discourse from the practicalities of giving to the theological wellspring from which all generosity flows. The term "unspeakable" employs **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration for emphasis, to convey the immeasurable and incomprehensible nature of God's gift, suggesting its value is so immense that no human language can fully articulate it. Furthermore, the "unspeakable gift" operates as a form of **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**, where a part represents the whole, or a related concept stands for the primary one. While it implicitly refers to the collection and God's blessings upon it, its ultimate and profound meaning points to the comprehensive gift of salvation in Christ, encompassing all spiritual blessings and the very foundation of the believer's life and generosity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's doxology in [2 Corinthians 9:15](/2_corinthians/9-15 "2 Corinthians 9:15 - God's Unspeakable Gift") is a pivotal theological statement, shifting the focus from the act of human giving to the divine source of all generosity. The "unspeakable gift" is not merely one of God's many blessings but represents the totality of His redemptive work and the boundless grace bestowed upon humanity through Christ. It underscores the truth that all Christian life, including acts of benevolence, is a response to God's prior and ultimate giving. This verse reminds believers that their capacity to give, their desire to give, and the blessings that flow from giving are all rooted in and empowered by God's initial, indescribable act of love. It elevates the discussion of material contributions to a profound theological reflection on God's character as the supreme Giver.

* [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Gift")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Gift of God")
* [Ephesians 2:8](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8 - Grace Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[2 Corinthians 9:15](/2_corinthians/9-15 "2 Corinthians 9:15 - God's Unspeakable Gift") calls us to a profound reorientation of our perspective, moving from a focus on what we give to what we have received. It challenges us to pause and truly contemplate the magnitude of God's "unspeakable gift"—a gift so vast, so rich, and so eternally significant that it defies all human description. This contemplation should evoke an overwhelming sense of gratitude, not just for specific blessings, but for the very essence of God's redemptive work in our lives. Our generosity, then, is not merely a duty or a transaction, but a joyful, Spirit-empowered overflow from a heart captivated by God's indescribable grace. It transforms our giving from an obligation into an act of worship, a tangible expression of our thanksgiving for the greatest gift ever given. This verse encourages us to live lives marked by continuous gratitude, recognizing that every good and perfect gift, as [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - God the Giver") reminds us, comes from above.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What aspects of God's "unspeakable gift" do I find most overwhelming or indescribable in my own life?**
* **How does reflecting on God's ultimate generosity impact my own willingness and joy in giving to others?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for God's gift in my daily life and express it more fully?**

### FAQ

**What is the "unspeakable gift" Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 9:15?**

Answer: While the immediate context of [2 Corinthians 8-9](/2_corinthians/8 "2 Corinthians 8-9 - Principles of Giving") is the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem, the "unspeakable gift" (Greek: _anekdiḗgētos dōreá_) transcends this specific act of human generosity. The consensus among biblical scholars is that this refers primarily to God's ultimate gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. This encompasses the entire redemptive work of Christ, including His incarnation, atoning death, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit given to believers. It is "unspeakable" because its depth, breadth, and eternal implications are so vast that human language cannot fully describe or articulate its immeasurable worth and profound nature. It is the foundational gift that enables and inspires all subsequent acts of Christian generosity and is the supreme reason for thanksgiving.

**How does 2 Corinthians 9:15 relate to the broader theme of Christian giving?**

Answer: [2 Corinthians 9:15](/2_corinthians/9-15 "2 Corinthians 9:15 - God's Unspeakable Gift") serves as the theological climax and motivation for Christian giving. Paul has spent two chapters encouraging the Corinthians to give generously. This verse reveals the ultimate source and inspiration for such generosity: God's own unparalleled giving. Our giving is not merely an act of charity or obligation, but a grateful response to the "unspeakable gift" we have already received from God. Because God has given us His indescribable gift (Christ and salvation), we are empowered and compelled to give cheerfully and generously to others. It transforms giving from a duty into an overflow of worship and thanksgiving, recognizing that all we have and all we give comes from God's prior and greater generosity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[2 Corinthians 9:15](/2_corinthians/9-15 "2 Corinthians 9:15 - God's Unspeakable Gift") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "unspeakable gift" is supremely the gift of God's Son, who embodies the fullness of divine grace and generosity. In Christ, God has given Himself completely, offering salvation, reconciliation, and eternal life to humanity, a gift truly beyond human comprehension or articulation. As [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Gift") famously declares, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son," highlighting the sacrificial nature of this unparalleled gift. This divine act of giving in Christ is the foundation of all Christian generosity. Believers are empowered to give because they have first received the ultimate gift of grace through faith in Christ ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Grace Through Faith")). Christ Himself, who "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - The Example of Christ's Poverty")), is the supreme example and enabler of all true generosity. Thus, every act of giving, every expression of thanks, and every spiritual blessing ultimately flows from and points back to the indescribable, all-sufficient gift of God in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

2 Corinthians 2:14

Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 8:32

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 4:9

And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,