Cheerful Giving and God's Abundant Provision
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
2Cor.9.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- σπειρων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- φειδομενως: ADV
- φειδομενως: ADV
- και: CONJ
- θερισει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- σπειρων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- επ᾽ευλογιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- επ᾽ευλογιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- θερισει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Galatians 6:7 (verbal): Uses the same sowing/ reaping axiom ('for whatever one sows, that will he also reap'); a close Pauline parallel in wording and ethical consequence.
- Galatians 6:9 (thematic): Carries the related theme of perseverance in doing good and the promise of reaping in due season—same moral logic linking present action to future harvest.
- Luke 6:38 (thematic): Jesus teaches that generous giving yields abundant return ('give, and it will be given to you'), echoing the principle that bountiful sowing brings bountiful reaping.
- Proverbs 11:24-25 (thematic): Wisdom literature counterpart: contrasts stinginess and generosity and promises benefit to the liberal giver, reflecting the same moral/practical correlation.
- 2 Corinthians 9:10 (structural): Immediate context/continuation: Paul expands the metaphor by stating God supplies seed and increases the harvest, explaining how generous sowing results in abundant return.
Alternative generated candidates
- The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
- Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
2Cor.9.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εκαστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- καθως: CONJ
- προηρηται: VERB,perf,mid,ind,3,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- καρδια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μη: PART
- εκ: PREP
- λυπης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εξ: PREP
- αναγκης·ιλαρον: NOUN,gen,sg,f + ADJ,acc,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- δοτην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αγαπα: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 8:12 (thematic): Both verses stress willingness in giving—acceptability depends on readiness of the giver, not compulsion or inability.
- 2 Corinthians 8:2-5 (structural): The Macedonian churches give generously and with joy despite poverty; a close contextual parallel in Paul emphasizing joyful, voluntary giving.
- Acts 20:35 (quotation): Paul cites Jesus' saying 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,' linking the virtue and blessedness of giving to Christian conduct and attitude.
- Matthew 6:1,3-4 (thematic): Jesus teaches that giving must be done with the right motive (not for public praise), paralleling the focus on the giver's heart and sincerity.
- Romans 12:8 (verbal): Lists generosity as a Christian duty/gift ('he who contributes, in generosity'), echoing the importance of willing, joyful contribution as part of Christian service.
Alternative generated candidates
- Each person must give what he has resolved in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- Each one must give as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or under compulsion—for God loves a cheerful giver.
2Cor.9.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- δυνατει: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- χαριν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- περισσευσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- ινα: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- παντοτε: ADV
- πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- αυταρκειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- περισσευητε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- εις: PREP
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αγαθον·: ADJ,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Philippians 4:19 (verbal): Both promise God's provision: 'my God will supply every need' parallels 'God is able to make all grace abound,' stressing sufficiency for believers' needs.
- Ephesians 3:20 (verbal): Both emphasize God's ability to act abundantly ('able to do far more abundantly' echoes 'make all grace abound'), highlighting divine power beyond expectation.
- Hebrews 13:21 (structural): Prays that God 'equip you with everything good' so you may do his will—parallel in purpose to 9:8's promise of sufficiency to enable every good work.
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 (allusion): In the same correspondence the grace of Christ, though rich, made believers 'rich' for others' sake; connects the theme of grace enabling generosity and good works.
- Psalm 23:1 (thematic): 'The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want' thematically parallels the assurance of God's provision and believers' sufficiency in all things.
Alternative generated candidates
- And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in every thing, you may abound in every good work.
- And God is able to make every grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in every good work.
2Cor.9.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- καθως: CONJ
- γεγραπται·Εσκορπισεν: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg;VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εδωκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- πενησιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δικαιοσυνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- μενει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αιωνα·: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Psalm 112:9 (quotation): Direct source Paul cites — LXX/MT language: 'He has dispersed, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'
- Proverbs 19:17 (thematic): Giving to the poor is commended as righteous and rewarded by God ('whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD').
- James 2:15-17 (thematic): Emphasizes that true faith is shown in practical care for needy persons—charitable giving as evidence of righteousness in practice.
- Isaiah 58:6-10 (thematic): True righteousness is portrayed as acts of justice and feeding the hungry, resulting in God's enduring blessing and vindication.
Alternative generated candidates
- As it is written, "He has scattered abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
- As it is written, 'He has scattered abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'
2Cor.9.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- επιχορηγων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- σπορον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- σπειροντι: PART,pres,act,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αρτον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- βρωσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- χορηγησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- πληθυνει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- σπορον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- αυξησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- γενηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δικαιοσυνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υμων·: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 (verbal): Immediate context uses the same sowing/reaping language about generosity: 'whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,' linking sowing with the return received.
- Galatians 6:7 (verbal): 'Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap'—the same agricultural proverb about moral consequences of sowing.
- Luke 6:38 (thematic): Jesus' teaching 'give, and it will be given to you... for with the measure you use it will be measured back to you' parallels the principle that giving prompts God's multiplied provision.
- Proverbs 11:24-25 (thematic): Wisdom language linking generosity and increase—'Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered'—resonates with seed multiplied and increased produce of righteousness.
- John 12:24 (allusion): The grain-of-wheat metaphor—'unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit'—uses seed imagery to explain how loss/giving leads to multiplied fruit, akin to God supplying and increasing the sown seed.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the One who provides seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.
- 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.
2Cor.9.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- πλουτιζομενοι: VERB,pres,mp,ptc,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- απλοτητα: NOUN,acc,sg,fem
- ητις: PRON,rel,nom,sg,f
- κατεργαζεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- δι᾽ημων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,1
- ευχαριστιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 9:8 (structural): Immediate context: affirms that God enriches believers so they may abound in every good work—background premise for verse 9:11's statement about being enriched to give.
- 2 Corinthians 9:12-13 (verbal): Same pericope and language: explicitly links the Corinthians' generosity with 'overflowing thanksgivings to God,' echoing 9:11's claim that their enrichment produces thanksgiving to God through Paul and the ministry.
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 (thematic): Earlier exhortation to 'excel in this grace'—to abound in generosity and good works—parallels 9:11's theme of being enriched to enable open-handed giving.
- Acts 4:32-35 (thematic): Description of the early church's sharing of possessions so that there was no needy person; communal generosity resulting in praise and gratitude toward God parallels the social effect of the Corinthians' giving.
- Luke 6:38 (thematic): Teaching that giving leads to receiving (‘‘give, and it will be given to you’’) highlights the reciprocal principle behind 9:11: enrichment and generosity are linked, producing blessings and thanksgiving.
Alternative generated candidates
- You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
- You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.
2Cor.9.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- διακονια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- λειτουργιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ταυτης: DEM,gen,sg,f
- ου: PART,neg
- μονον: ADV
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- προσαναπληρουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,f
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- υστερηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αγιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- περισσευουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- πολλων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ευχαριστιων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 8:4-5 (verbal): Same section on the collection for the saints; highlights the churches' eagerness to give and the ministry of supplying needs—close verbal and contextual link to 9:12's 'service of this ministry.'
- 2 Corinthians 8:14-15 (thematic): Speaks of equality and mutual supply so that 'one's abundance may supply another's need,' directly reflecting 9:12's claim that the ministry supplies the saints' needs.
- Romans 15:26-27 (thematic): Describes the collection from Gentile churches for the poor among the Jerusalem believers and the obligation to serve the saints—parallels the communal giving and rationale behind the ministry in 2 Cor 9:12.
- Philippians 4:18-19 (thematic): Paul thanks the Philippians for their gift, calls it a fragrant offering, and affirms God's provision for needs—connecting thanksgiving to God and the practical/resultant provision noted in 2 Cor 9:12.
- Acts 11:29-30 (structural): The early church's collection and sending relief to Judean believers is a narrative precedent for the ministry described in 2 Cor 9:12: organized giving to supply the needs of the saints.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God.
- For the ministry of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.
2Cor.9.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δοκιμης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- διακονιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ταυτης: DEM,gen,sg,f
- δοξαζοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- υποταγη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ομολογιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ευαγγελιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- απλοτητι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- κοινωνιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 9:12 (structural): Immediate context: links the ministry of giving to thanksgiving and service—v.12 states that the ministry supplies needs and produces thanksgiving to God, which parallels v.13's claim that this ministry leads others to glorify God.
- 2 Corinthians 8:5 (thematic): Within the same collection material Paul highlights the Macedonians' enthusiastic giving—'they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by the will of God'—echoing themes of surrender, proof of ministry, and sacrificial partnership (koinonia) in 9:13.
- Romans 1:5 (verbal): Paul describes his mission as 'to bring about the obedience of faith' (ὑπὲρ ὑπακοῆς πίστεως / obedience of faith). This parallels 2 Cor 9:13's emphasis on obedience that accompanies confession of the gospel—linking confession and obedient response.
- Acts 4:32–35 (thematic): The early Jerusalem community's sharing of goods so that 'there was not a needy person among them' and the resulting praise to God parallels 2 Cor 9:13's connection between generous communal sharing (koinonia) and glorifying God.
Alternative generated candidates
- By the proof of this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and for the generosity of your sharing with them and with all.
- By their approval of this service they glorify God for the obedience that accompanies your confession to the gospel of Christ and for the generosity of your sharing with them and with all.
2Cor.9.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- δεησει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- υπερ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- επιποθουντων: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,gen,pl,m
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- δια: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- υπερβαλλουσαν: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,acc,sg,f
- χαριν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εφ᾽υμιν: PREP+PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- Eph.2.7 (verbal): Uses the same adjective for 'surpassing/exceeding' (ὑπερβαλλοῦσαν) of God's grace; parallels the language of abundant/divine grace present among believers.
- 2Cor.8.7 (thematic): Immediate Corinthian context linking 'grace' with the believers' generosity—urges them to excel in the same act of grace that 9:14 treats as the ground for others' prayers.
- 2Cor.9.12-13 (structural): Direct context: explains that the ministry produces thanksgiving and prayers for the donors because their giving proves the gospel and manifests God's grace among them.
- Phil.1.3-5 (thematic): Paul's thanksgiving and recognition of the Philippians' partnership in the gospel echoes the motif of prayer/thanksgiving prompted by others' support of the ministry.
- Col.1.3-4 (thematic): Paul's habit of giving thanks and praying for fellow believers 'because of their faith and love' parallels the idea that recipients' spiritual condition and grace inspire intercession on their behalf.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they will pray for you, longing for you because of the surpassing grace God has granted you.
- And for their prayer on your behalf, because of the surpassing grace God has granted you.
2Cor.9.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ανεκδιηγητω: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- δωρεα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 (thematic): Paul’s earlier statement about Christ’s self‑giving grace provides the concrete content for the ‘gift’ celebrated here — the motive and model for the Corinthians’ generosity.
- Romans 11:33-36 (structural): Both verses function as doxologies closing theological argumentation, praising God for his inscrutable gifts, wisdom, and riches.
- James 1:17 (verbal): Uses the same gift‑language (δωρεά/‘gift’) to describe good gifts from God, echoing the characterization of God’s gift as of divine origin and beneficence.
- John 3:16 (thematic): Identifies God’s giving of his Son as the decisive divine gift of salvation — an apt content for Paul’s exclamation of thanks for the ‘indescribable gift.’
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (thematic): Portrays salvation as a gift of God’s grace rather than human achievement, paralleling Paul’s emphasis on God’s gracious, unmerited gift celebrated in 2 Corinthians 9:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
- Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in every good work.
As it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
For the ministry of this service is not only to supply the needs of the saints but to overflow in many thanksgivings to God.
By their approval of this service they will glorify God because of your obedience that accompanies the confession of the gospel of Christ and because of the generosity of your sharing with them and with everyone. And in their prayers for you they long for you on account of the surpassing grace of God given to you.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!