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2 Corinthians 9:12

in 2 Corinthians 9

For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God;

KJV

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

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This verse in 2 Corinthians 9

Commentary

13 notes on this verse

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

For the administration of this service - The poor are relieved, see the hand of God in this relief, and give God the glory of his grace.

This site's exposition

You will be enriched in every way

on 2 Corinthians 9:11-12

This ministry of service renders diakonia, the word used of Paul’s own ministry, here applied to money sent from Gentile believers to Jewish ones. The gift works twice, supplying the needs of the saints and overflowing in thanksgiving to God.

This site's exposition

overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving

The gift works in two directions at once. Adam Clarke describes the poor who are relieved seeing the hand of God in the relief and giving Him the glory. John Chrysostom adds that the Corinthians supply more than the saints need, and through the saints send thanksgiving up to God.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers4 voices

A commentator

Ambrosiaster

COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES · Written before 384.

proposed

It is not only those who have been delivered from beggary to the service of God who rejoice but all those who see the want being supplied. Thus it is that what is given to a few redounds in praises given by the many to …

A commentator

Theodoret of Cyrus

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 336 · Written before 458.

proposed

Paul is pointing out that giving to the saints is not just a matter of supplying their immediate wants. It has many other ramifications as well and leads to blessings of different kinds.

A commentator

Cyprian

Treatise VIII On Works and Alms · Written before 258.

proposed

And again: "The administration of this service shall not only supply the wants of the saints, but shall be abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; ". Also in the same place: "The administration of this service has not only supplied that which is lacking to the saints, but has abounded by much giving of thanks unto God."

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily 20 on 2 Corinthians · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

What he says is this; 'in the first place ye not only supply the wants of the saints, but ye are abundant even;' that is, 'ye furnish them with even more than they need: next, through them ye send up thanksgiving to God, for they glorify Him for the obedience of your confession.' For that he may not represent them as giving thanks on this account solely, (I mean, because they received somewhat,) see how high-minded he makes them, exactly as he himself says to the Philippians, "Not that I desire a gift." (Philippians chapter 4, verse 17) 'To them too I bear record of the same thing. For they rejoice indeed that ye supply their wants and alleviate their poverty; but far more, in that ye are so subjected to the Gospel; whereof this is an evidence, your contributing so largely.' For this the Gospel enjoins. "And for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all." 'And on this account,' he says, 'they glorify God that ye are so liberal, not unto them only, but also unto all.' And this again is made a praise unto them that they gave thanks even for that which is bestowed upon others. 'For,' saith he, 'they do honor, not to their own concerns only, but also to those of others, and this although they are in the extremest poverty; which is an evidence of their great virtue. For nothing is so full of envy as the whole race of such as are in poverty. But they are pure from this passion; being so far from feeling pained because of the things ye impart to others, that they even rejoice over it no less than over the things themselves receive.'

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on 2 Corinthians · Written before 1274.

proposed

Then when he says, for the rendering of this service, he explains the reason mentioned above, namely, how their abundance works thanksgiving to God. First he shows this; secondly, the reason for thanks (v. 13); thirdly, he breaks out in thanksgiving (v. 14). He says …
5 more voices on this verse

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 2 Corinthians · Written before 1107.

proposed

"The ministration of this service," he says, that is, assistance with possessions, accomplishes much, for it not only supplies the need of the brethren, but also "abounds," that is, provides them more than what is needed; and this service and testimony of the ministry of …

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

For the administration of this service,....

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

If we have reason to think them to be saints, whom we believe to be of the household of faith, whose wants are great, how ready should we be to do them good! Our goodness can not extend unto God, but we should freely extend it to these excellent ones of the earth, and thus show that we delight in them. This would redound to the praise and glory of God.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Greek, "The ministration of this public service (on your part) is not only still further supplying the wants of the saints (besides the supplies from other quarters), but is abounding also (namely, in respect to relieving the necessities of others in poverty) through many thanksgivings to God."
For the administration of this service - The distribution of this proof of your liberality. The word “service” here, says Doddridge, intimates that this was to be regarded not merely as an act of humanity, but religion. The want of the saints - Of the poor Christians in Judea on whose behalf it was contributed. But is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God - Will abound unto God in producing thanksgivings. The result will be that it will produce abundant thanksgiving in their hearts to God.

The words behind it

22 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

16 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Romans 12:13Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.20 works2 Corinthians 9:11You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.12 worksPhilippians 4:18I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.10 works2 Corinthians 8:14At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.8 worksPhilemon 1:4–7I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers,7 worksPhilippians 2:25But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.5 works
The other 10 cross-references, with their words ▾
James 2:14–16What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?4 works1 John 3:17If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?4 works2 Corinthians 8:4they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.3 worksActs 24:17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.3 works2 Corinthians 8:1Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.3 works2 Corinthians 9:1Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.2 works2 Corinthians 1:11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers.2 worksRomans 15:26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.2 worksHebrews 1:14Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?2 works2 Corinthians 11:9And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    1 John 3:17

    If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

    it leads to

    • Hebrews 13:16

      And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

    • Isaiah 58:7–10

      Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own…

    • Deuteronomy 15:7–11

      If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or…

    • 1 John 4:20

      If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

    • Proverbs 19:17

      Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

  • Through

    Philippians 2:25

    But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.

    it leads to

    • Philippians 4:18

      I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

    • Philemon 1:1–2

      Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker,

    • Philippians 4:3

      Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have labored with me for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in…

Where this verse is studied

About 2 Corinthians

The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt, 1627. Public domain.
The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt, 1627. Public domain.
2 Corinthians: the study guide →Read 2 Corinthians 9 →
This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Cyprian, Treatise VIII On Works and Alms; Frederic Godet, Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily 20 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theodoret of Cyrus, COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 336; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.

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