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2 Corinthians 9

BSB·15 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Nowγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → aboutΠερὶPeri — about, concerning, around, on behalf ofG4012 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → serviceδιακονίαςdiakonias — Service, ministry, or officeG1248 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → theτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → saintsἁγίουςhagious — Set apart for God; morally pure and sacredG40 — Full Word Study →, there isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → no needπερισσόνperisson — excessive, abundant, beyond measureG4053 — Full Word Study → for meμοίmoi — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → to writeγράφεινgraphein — to write or compose in written formG1125 — Full Word Study → to youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. 2Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → I knowοἶδαoida — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → eagerness to help, and I have been boastingκαυχῶμαιkauchōmai — to boast, glory, or take pride in somethingG2744 — Full Word Study → to the Macedonians thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → sinceἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → last yearπέρυσιperysi — last year; a year agoG4070 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → in AchaiaἈχαΐαAchaia — Southern Greece regionG882 — Full Word Study → were prepared to give. Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → zealζῆλοςzēlos — Zealous devotion or passionate intensityG2205 — Full Word Study → has stirredἠρέθισενērethisen — to provoke, irritate, or stir up angerG2042 — Full Word Study → most of them to do likewise. 3Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → I am sendingἜπεμψαEpempsa — To send forth; to dispatch someone on a missionG3992 — Full Word Study → theτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφούςadelphous — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study → in order thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → boastingκαύχημαkauchēma — that which is boasted in; grounds for boasting or prideG2745 — Full Word Study → aboutὑπὲρhyper — on behalf of, for the sake of, above, beyondG5228 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → thisτούτῳtoutō — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → matterμέρειmerei — a part, portion, or share of a wholeG3313 — Full Word Study → should not prove emptyκενωθῇkenōthē — To empty, nullify, or drain of powerG2758 — Full Word Study →, but that you will beἦτεēte — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → preparedπαρεσκευασμένοιpareskeuasmenoi — to prepare, make ready, equipG3903 — Full Word Study →, just asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → I saidἔλεγονelegon — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study →. 4Otherwiseμήmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study →, if any MacedoniansΜακεδόνεςMakedones — A region in northern GreeceG3110 — Full Word Study → comeἔλθωσινelthōsin — to come, go, arrive, or appearG2064 — Full Word Study → withσὺνsyn — with, together with, alongsideG4862 — Full Word Study → meἐμοὶemoi — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → findεὕρωσινheurōsin — to find, discover, or obtainG2147 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → unpreparedἀπαρασκευάστουςaparaskeuastous — unprepared, caught off guardG532 — Full Word Study →, weἡμεῖςhēmeis — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →toἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → sayλέγωμενlegōmen — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study → nothingμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → of youὑμεῖςhymeis — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →would be ashamed ofκαταισχυνθῶμενkataischynthōmen — to shame, disgrace, or put to shame publiclyG2617 — Full Word Study → having been soταύτῃtautē — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → confidentὑποστάσειhypostasei — substance, essence, confidence, assuranceG5287 — Full Word Study →. 5Soοὖνoun — therefore, then, so, thusG3767 — Full Word Study → I thought it necessaryἀναγκαῖονanankaion — Necessary, essential, indispensableG316 — Full Word Study → to urgeπαρακαλέσαιparakalesai — to urge, comfort, or exhortG3870 — Full Word Study → theτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοὺςadelphous — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study → toἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → visit you beforehandπροέλθωσινproelthōsin — to go before; to precede or advance aheadG4281 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → make arrangementsπροκαταρτίσωσινprokatartisōsin — to prepare or arrange beforehandG4294 — Full Word Study → for theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → bountiful gift you had promisedπροεπηγγελμένηνproepēngelmenēn — to promise beforehand; to announce in advanceG4279 — Full Word Study →. This wayοὕτωςhoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study →, yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → gift will beεἶναιeinai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → preparedἑτοίμηνhetoimēn — Prepared, ready, made fit or suitableG2092 — Full Word Study → generouslyεὐλογίανeulogian — Blessing, praise, or generous giftG2129 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → notμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → begrudginglyπλεονεξίανpleonexian — Greedy desire for more; covetousnessG4124 — Full Word Study →. 6Remember thisΤοῦτοTouto — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study →: Whoeverho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sowsσπείρωνspeirōn — to sow seed; to scatter for plantingG4687 — Full Word Study → sparinglyφειδομένωςpheidomenōs — sparingly, scantily, with restraintG5340 — Full Word Study → will also reapθερίσειtherisei — to reap or harvestG2325 — Full Word Study → sparinglyφειδομένωςpheidomenōs — sparingly, scantily, with restraintG5340 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → whoeverho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sowsσπείρωνspeirōn — to sow seed; to scatter for plantingG4687 — Full Word Study → generouslyεὐλογίαιςeulogiais — Blessing, praise, or generous giftG2129 — Full Word Study → will also reapθερίσειtherisei — to reap or harvestG2325 — Full Word Study → generouslyεὐλογίαιςeulogiais — Blessing, praise, or generous giftG2129 — Full Word Study →. 7Each oneἕκαστοςhekastos — eachG1538 — Full Word Study → should give what he has decidedπροῄρηταιproērētai — to purpose beforehand; to predetermineG4255 — Full Word Study → in his heart to give, notμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → out ofἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → regretλύπηςlypēs — Deep sorrow, grief, or sadnessG3077 — Full Word Study → orē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → compulsionἀνάγκηςanankēs — necessity, compulsion, constraintG318 — Full Word Study →. Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → GodΘεόςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → lovesἀγαπᾷagapa — to love deeply; to cherish with affectionG25 — Full Word Study → a cheerfulἱλαρὸνhilaron — Cheerful, generous in givingG2431 — Full Word Study → giverδότηνdotēn — one who gives; a generous giverG1395 — Full Word Study →. 8Andδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → is able to make all graceχάρινcharin — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study → aboundπερισσεῦσαιperisseusai — To abound, exceed, or have in abundanceG4052 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → all thingsπαντὶpanti — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study →, at all timesπάντοτεpantote — at all times, always, continuallyG3842 — Full Word Study →, havingἔχοντεςechontes — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → all thatπᾶσανpasan — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → you needαὐτάρκειανautarkeian — Contentment; self-sufficiency; having enoughG841 — Full Word Study →, you will aboundπερισσεύητεperisseuēte — To abound, exceed, or have in abundanceG4052 — Full Word Study → inεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → everyπᾶνpan — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → goodἀγαθόνagathon — good, beneficial, morally excellentG18 — Full Word Study → workἔργονergon — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →. 9Asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → it is writtenγέγραπταιgegraptai — to write or compose in written formG1125 — Full Word Study →: “He has scattered abroadἘσκόρπισενEskorpisen — to scatter, disperse, spread abroadG4650 — Full Word Study → His giftsἔδωκενedōken — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → to theτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → poorπένησινpenēsin — poor person, one lacking material resourcesG3993 — Full Word Study →; Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → righteousnessδικαιοσύνηdikaiosynē — Righteousness; right standing with GodG1343 — Full Word Study → enduresμένειmenei — to remain, stay, abide, endureG3306 — Full Word Study → foreverεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study →.” 10Nowδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → He whoHo — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → suppliesἐπιχορηγῶνepichorēgōn — to supply abundantly; to provide or furnishG2023 — Full Word Study → seedσπόρον*sporon — Seed; something sownG4703 — Full Word Study → to theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sowerσπείροντιspeironti — to sow seed; to scatter for plantingG4687 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → breadἄρτονarton — bread; loaf of breadG740 — Full Word Study → forεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → foodβρῶσινbrōsin — eating; food; nourishmentG1035 — Full Word Study → will supplyχορηγήσειchorēgēsei — to supply, provide, or furnish generouslyG5524 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → multiplyπληθυνεῖplēthynei — To multiply, increase, or aboundG4129 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → store of seedσπόρονsporon — Seed; something sownG4703 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → will increaseαὐξήσειauxēsei — to grow, increase, or enlargeG837 — Full Word Study → theτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → harvestγενήματαgenēmata — offspring, product, or fruit of generationG1081 — Full Word Study → ofτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → righteousnessδικαιοσύνηςdikaiosynēs — Righteousness; right standing with GodG1343 — Full Word Study →. 11You will be enrichedπλουτιζόμενοιploutizomenoi — to make rich, to enrichG4148 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → every wayπαντὶpanti — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → be generousἁπλότηταhaplotēta — Sincerity, generosity, or single-heartednessG572 — Full Word Study → on every occasion, so that throughδι’di’ — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → usἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → your giving will produce thanksgivingεὐχαριστίανeucharistian — Gratitude, thanksgiving, expression of thanksG2169 — Full Word Study → to GodΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. 12Forὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → thisταύτηςtautēs — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → ministryδιακονίαdiakonia — Service, ministry, or officeG1248 — Full Word Study → of serviceλειτουργίαςleitourgias — Sacred service or ministry, particularly religious worshipG3009 — Full Word Study → isἐστὶνestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → onlyμόνονmonon — only, alone, solelyG3440 — Full Word Study → supplyingπροσαναπληροῦσαprosanaplērousa — to fill up, complete, or supply what is lackingG4322 — Full Word Study → theτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → needsὑστερήματαhysterēmata — lack, deficiency, shortage, wantG5303 — Full Word Study → of theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → saintsἁγίωνhagiōn — Set apart for God; morally pure and sacredG40 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → is also overflowingπερισσεύουσαperisseuousa — To abound, exceed, or have in abundanceG4052 — Full Word Study → inδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → manyπολλῶνpollōn — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study → expressions of thanksgivingεὐχαριστιῶνeucharistiōn — Gratitude, thanksgiving, expression of thanksG2169 — Full Word Study → to GodΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. 13Because ofδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → proofδοκιμῆςdokimēs — proof or evidence through testingG1382 — Full Word Study → thisταύτηςtautēs — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → ministry provides, the saints will glorify GodΘεὸνTheon — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → forἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → obedientὑποταγῇhypotagē — Submission, obedience, or subordinationG5292 — Full Word Study → confessionὁμολογίαςhomologias — Verbal confession or declaration of faithG3671 — Full Word Study → ofεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → gospelεὐαγγέλιονeuangelion — Good news; the Gospel messageG2098 — Full Word Study → of ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → for the generosity of your contributionκοινωνίαςkoinōnias — Fellowship; sharing in common; participationG2842 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → themαὐτοὺςautous — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → all the others. 14Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theirαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → prayersδεήσειdeēsei — earnest petition or supplicationG1162 — Full Word Study → forὑπὲρhyper — on behalf of, for the sake of, above, beyondG5228 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → will express their affectionἐπιποθούντωνepipothountōn — To long for earnestly; to desire intenselyG1971 — Full Word Study → for youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, because ofδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → surpassingὑπερβάλλουσανhyperballousan — to surpass, exceed, or transcendG5235 — Full Word Study → graceχάρινcharin — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study → GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → has given youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. 15Thanks be to GodΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → forἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → indescribableἀνεκδιηγήτῳanekdiēgētō — Indescribable, beyond words, unspeakableG411 — Full Word Study → giftδωρεᾷdōrea — a free gift; gracious donationG1431 — Full Word Study →!
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Chapter Commentary — 2 Corinthians 9
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul completes his exhortation concerning the collection for poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem. While he affirms the Corinthians' genuine willingness to give (verse 2), he sends representatives ahead to ensure their promised gift is ready—not out of distrust, but to preserve their testimony and his own credibility. The chapter then pivots to timeless biblical principles about generous giving: that God rewards bounty with blessing, that cheerful giving pleases the Lord, and that Christian generosity ultimately glorifies God and strengthens the entire body of Christ.

Verses 1–5: Readiness and Genuine Willingness

Paul begins by saying it is almost unnecessary to write about the collection, since the Corinthians have already demonstrated their eagerness (verses 1–2). He has even boasted about them to the Macedonian churches, citing their readiness from a year prior. However, Paul's pastoral wisdom shines through in verse 3: he sends representatives not because the Corinthians lack sincerity, but to ensure their commitment is fulfilled. The phrase "lest our boasting of you should be in vain" reveals his concern for their credibility and his own integrity (verse 4).

In verse 5, Paul explains his strategy: the advance delegation will help the Corinthians prepare their gift beforehand, ensuring it reflects generosity (bounty) rather than reluctance (covetousness). This is a beautiful pastoral touch—Paul wants their giving to be joyful and willing, not pressured or grudging.

Application: Following through on commitments matters. When we promise to serve or give in God's kingdom, keeping that promise reflects our character and testimony. Advance planning also removes the shame of unfulfilled pledges.

Verses 6–11: The Principle of Sowing and Reaping

Verse 6 states a universal principle: "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." This echoes Proverbs and Galatians 6:7—God's economy operates by laws of sowing and reaping. Generosity is an investment; stinginess yields meager returns.

Yet Paul immediately qualifies this in verse 7 with the heart of Christian giving: "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." The Greek word for cheerful giver is hilaros—the root of "hilarious." God delights in the giver who gives with joy and freedom, not compulsion. The phrase "not of necessity" warns against giving merely because of social pressure or obligation.

Verses 8–10 reveal God's promise: those who give will themselves be enriched with "all sufficiency in all things" (verse 8), enabling them to abound in every good work. Paul reinforces this by quoting Psalm 112:9, reminding us that righteousness (generous giving) has eternal consequences.

Application: Generosity returns to the giver in God's economy, though we must guard against a purely transactional view of giving. The deepest motivation is love and joy, not profit. Give cheerfully, and trust God's faithfulness.

Verses 12–15: Corporate Blessing and God's Glory

Paul concludes by emphasizing that generosity benefits the entire church. The collection meets material needs (verse 12) but also produces thanksgiving, unity, and glory to God (verses 12–13). When believers witness generous giving, they are moved to pray for one another and magnify God's grace (verse 14).

The chapter ends with an exclamation of worship: "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift" (verse 15)—a reference to Christ Himself. All Christian generosity flows from gratitude for Christ's sacrifice.

Application: Our giving is never merely personal; it builds up Christ's body and brings glory to God.

Application for Today

Christians should give generously yet freely, from joyful hearts rather than obligation. Plan your giving, follow through on commitments, and trust that God rewards generosity abundantly. Remember that all giving flows from thankfulness for Christ's unspeakable gift to us. Whether supporting the poor, your local church, or mission work, give cheerfully—as unto the Lord.

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