2 Corinthians 9

King James Version

Full text for 2 Corinthians Chapter 9

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

2For 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.

3Yet 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:

4Lest 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.

5Therefore 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.

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

7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8And 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:

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

10Now 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;)

11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13Whiles 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];

14And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

Paul initially states that writing about the collection for the saints is superfluous, as he knows the Corinthians' eagerness and has boasted of their readiness a year prior. However, he sends brethren to ensure their promised contribution is prepared beforehand, preventing any potential shame if Macedonians were to find them unprepared. He exhorts them to prepare their gift as a matter of bounty, not covetousness, teaching that bountiful sowing leads to bountiful reaping, and God loves a cheerful giver. God is able to make all grace abound, enabling them to have sufficiency and abound in good works. This ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also generates abundant thanksgivings to God, glorifying Him for their obedience to the Gospel and their liberal distribution.

Long Summary

Paul begins by asserting that it is unnecessary to write extensively about the collection for the saints, as he is well aware of the Corinthians' eagerness, having boasted to the Macedonians that Achaia was prepared a year ago, inspiring many. Nevertheless, Paul sends brethren ahead to ensure that his boasting about them is not in vain and that their promised contribution is indeed ready. This precaution is taken so that if Macedonians accompany him and find the Corinthians unprepared, neither Paul nor they would be shamed by their confident boasting. He deemed it necessary to send the brethren to arrange their bounty beforehand, ensuring it is ready as a generous gift and not perceived as a grudging obligation. Paul then introduces the principle that one who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, while one who sows bountifully will reap bountifully. He emphasizes that each person should give according to their heart's purpose, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God cherishes a cheerful giver. Furthermore, God possesses the ability to make all grace abound towards them, ensuring they always have complete sufficiency in all things and are able to abound in every good work, fulfilling the scripture about giving to the poor. God, who provides seed to the sower and bread for food, will also multiply their sown seed and increase the fruits of their righteousness. Through this, they will be enriched in every aspect for all bountifulness, which in turn generates thanksgiving to God through Paul and his companions. The administration of this service not only fulfills the material needs of the saints but also overflows with numerous thanksgivings to God. Through the practical demonstration of this ministry, others will glorify God for the Corinthians' professed obedience to the gospel of Christ and for their generous distribution to the needy. Additionally, those who receive will pray for the Corinthians, longing for them because of the extraordinary grace of God evident in their lives. The chapter concludes with a profound expression of gratitude, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

Core Concepts

  • Bountiful GivingThe chapter teaches that giving generously, rather than sparingly, leads to abundant reaping, and emphasizes that God loves a cheerful giver who gives willingly from the heart, not under compulsion.
  • Divine ProvisionGod is presented as able to make all grace abound toward believers, ensuring they have all sufficiency in everything and are empowered to abound in every good work through His provision.
  • Thanksgiving to GodThe act of liberal giving is shown to not only supply the needs of the saints but also to be a catalyst for abundant thanksgivings and glory to God from those who receive and observe the generosity.
  • Proof of ObedienceThe Corinthians' liberal distribution serves as a practical demonstration of their professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, leading others to glorify God for their faith in action.
  • Preparation for GivingPaul instructs the Corinthians to have their promised bounty ready beforehand, ensuring that their gift is a genuine expression of generosity rather than a hurried or reluctant contribution.
  • Intercessory PrayerThose who benefit from the Corinthians' generosity are moved to pray for them, recognizing and longing for the exceeding grace of God evident in their lives and giving.
  • God's Unspeakable GiftThe chapter concludes with an expression of profound gratitude to God for His inexpressible or incomparable gift, acknowledging the ultimate source of all grace and generosity.