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2 Corinthians

2 Corinthianschapter 9

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Speaks with:2 Corinthians 8×41 Chronicles 29×2Philippians 4×2Psalms 112×2Galatians 6×1Genesis 33×1

Summary

Chapter summary

The ministering to the saints. Paul boasted of the Corinthians' readiness to the Macedonians. He sends the brethren ahead that their bounty be ready, not as covetousness. He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. God loveth a cheerful giver. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. Henry reads the chapter as a compact doctrine of Christian stewardship. Its motive in grace received, its manner cheerful, its measure bountiful.

Context

Epistle · Paul — 2 Corinthians overview

  • A. 1–5 Ready in Advance, Not Squeezed Out
  • B. 6–11 God Loves a Cheerful Giver
  • C. 12–15 Thanks Overflowing for His Unspeakable Gift

The outline

  1. A.Ready in Advance, Not Squeezed Outvv. 1 to 5

    Read vv. 1 to 5 →

  2. B.God Loves a Cheerful Givervv. 6 to 11

    Read vv. 6 to 11 →

  3. C.Thanks Overflowing for His Unspeakable Giftvv. 12 to 15

    Read vv. 12 to 15 →

The world behind this chapter

2 Corinthians 9
When
Written from Macedonia · c. AD 55–56
Where
The final arrangements for the collection before Paul arrives with Macedonian companions.
Who first heard it
Corinthian believers who could be publicly embarrassed if the money was not ready.

The history

Paul is managing honour carefully. He has boasted to the Macedonians about Corinth's readiness, and if Macedonian delegates arrive with him to find nothing collected, both parties lose face. Sending the brothers ahead so the gift is ready as a willing offering and not an exaction is diplomatic project management.

The agricultural proverb — sow sparingly, reap sparingly — was a commonplace anyone in a farming economy understood. Seed corn withheld from the ground was seed corn wasted.

"God loves a cheerful giver" draws on Proverbs, and the word behind cheerful is the root of the English "hilarious." Against a background of grudging obligation to patrons and city liturgies, giving gladly was the distinctive note.

The word Paul uses for this service is the same term used for a public benefaction in Greek cities, and he says it does two things at once: it supplies the needs of the saints, and it overflows in thanksgiving to God. The credit goes upward, not to a donor's inscription.

What it meant to them

For the first hearers, this was money talk that never became a demand. Each is to give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion.

And the result described is relational, not just financial. Jewish believers in Jerusalem would pray for Gentile Corinthians because of this gift, and two communities separated by culture and eight hundred miles would be bound together by it.

Sources cited

Every work MannaFest builds on →

The text of this chapter

This page carries no textual note on 2 Corinthians 9. Where this site has examined a place the manuscripts differ, the examination is in the manuscripts room. Every place this site examines →

This page draws on Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary.

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