2 Corinthians 9 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

2 Corinthians 9

The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

9:1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending¹ the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift² you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.³

The Cheerful Giver

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully⁴ will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency⁵ in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they⁶ will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Footnotes

[1] 9:3 Or I have sent
[2] 9:5 Greek blessing; twice in this verse
[3] 9:5 Or a gift expecting something in return; Greek greed
[4] 9:6 Greek with blessings; twice in this verse
[5] 9:8 Or all contentment
[6] 9:13 Or you

Commentary

v1-5: From 8.10-11, the Corinthians' willingness had to be put into action. The three brothers (8.17-24) had been sent to Corinth to prepare their "generous gift" (1 John 3.18). These verses do refer to the size of the gift, as well as the proper attitude for giving.

Paul had boasted of their generosity, which had stirred up other Christians; Gk ERETHIZO, meaning to provoke, to stir up, lit. to rouse to strife, used in Col 3.21(but not Eph 6.4).

In these verses there is the hint of an unwillingness to give. It may have been that the Corinthians had struggled to accept Paul's apostolic authority in this way.

v6: God honours the attitude of generosity, compare Gal 6.8. Both quality and quantity are relevant. We must sow bountifully, and sow to the Spirit, in giving of money, and effort, and time. The picture of sowing helps up to see how God views our sacrifice; see John 12.24-25. A generous heart leads to generous giving. There is no doubt that sowing leads to reaping (Luke 6.38).

'In inviting the Corinthians to give generously, Paul unashamedly pointed to the giving of the Lord Jesus, believing that their hearts would be touched and their generosity stirred.' (Terry Virgo, God's Lavish Grace)

v7: Giving is to be willing and cheerful; the quality of the gift is the attitude of the giver. Paul's teaching inspires and enables us to give properly to God. We do not give what is left, but what is right!

v8: God enables us to give. As we do so, we have a sufficiency and abundance from Him. Here is a life of abundance; of grace, of gift, of giving, all for good works.

v9: Distribution of gifts to others is a mark of righteousness. The godly man is open-handed.

v10: We look to God to multiply the seed and increase the fruits; this is evidence of the spiritual character of giving.

There is the harvest of our righteousness, as God multiplies blessing to us, and through us.

v11: The one who blesses others will be made rich, and will be enabled to bless others more. All this brings praise and glory to God.

v12: The spiritual value of giving, not just that it meets the needs of others, but also that it brings thanksgiving to God.

v13: The gospel changes our lives, and brings obedience to God, and giving is part of that obedience. Further, there is a testimony that comes through giving; "Men will praise God".

v14: Giving encourages prayer also.

v15: Paul's final comment about giving. God has given His Son, and we must respond in a proper way. Giving is one response that He commands.

"Indescribable", or ‘inexpressible'; similar word used in 1 Pet 1.8; so wonderful that it is beyond description, compare 1 John 3.1; such love that the Father has lavished upon us.