For I Have Boasted of Your Eagerness To Others, So I Want You Ready When I Come
9 For indeed, it is superfluous for me to write to you concerning the ministry[a] to the saints. 2 For I know your eagerness, which I am boasting about you to the Macedonians— that “Achaia has been prepared [to give] since last year”. And your zeal stirred-up the majority. 3 But I sent the brothers in order that our boast about you might not be made-empty in this respect: in order that, just as I was saying, you may be prepared, 4 that we should not somehow be put-to-shame (that I not say you) in this confidence[b] if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared. 5 Therefore I regarded it necessary to urge the brothers that they go-ahead to you and prepare-beforehand your previously-promised blessing[c], that this may be ready thus as a blessing and not as greediness[d].
Sow For Blessings, As You Freely Choose In Your Hearts: God Loves a Cheerful Giver
6 Now this[e] I say: the one sowing sparingly will also reap sparingly. And the one sowing for[f] blessings will also reap for blessings. 7 Each should give just as he has chosen-beforehand[g] in his heart— not out of grief [h] or out of compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to cause all grace to abound to you in order that in everything, always having all sufficiency, you may be abounding for every good work. 9 Just as it has been written [in Ps 112:9], “He scattered, he gave to the needy ones, his righteousness remains forever”.
God Will Multiply Your Seed And Fruit, And Your Gift Will Abound To His Glory
10 And the One supplying seed to the one sowing[i], and bread for eating, will supply and multiply your seed, and will grow the fruits of [j] your righteousness. 11 In everything you will be enriched for all generosity, which through[k] us is going to produce thanksgiving to God, 12 because the ministry of [l] this service[m] is not only going to be filling-up the needs of the saints, but also abounding through many thanksgivings to God! 13 Through the approvedness of this ministry, they will be glorifying God for the obedience of [n] your confession to[o] the good-news of Christ, and the generosity[p] of the contribution for them and for all, 14 while they also are yearning-for you in prayer for you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift[q].
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 9:1 That is, the details of this ministry to the saints in Jerusalem. There is no need to promote this ministry.
- 2 Corinthians 9:4 Or, project, undertaking.
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 That is, blessing for those in Jerusalem.
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 That is, as an exhibit of your blessing them by giving, and not as an exhibit of your greediness in withholding what you promised.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 Or, Now as to this giving.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 That is, for the purpose of.
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 Or, preferred, purposed.
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 That is, a heart grieving or pained over the loss of the money.
- 2 Corinthians 9:10 sowing... multiply. Or, sowing, will both supply bread for eating and multiply.
- 2 Corinthians 9:10 That is, consisting of; or, proceeding from.
- 2 Corinthians 9:11 That is, through our delivery of your gift.
- 2 Corinthians 9:12 That is, consisting of.
- 2 Corinthians 9:12 That is, public-service for God (for the believing public); or, priestly-service.
- 2 Corinthians 9:13 That is, proceeding from; or, to. Or, the obedience to the good news of Christ characterizing your confession.
- 2 Corinthians 9:13 Or, with reference to.
- 2 Corinthians 9:13 Or, more broadly, the sincerity of the fellowship toward them and toward all.
- 2 Corinthians 9:15 That is, gift of grace, referring either to that given in His Son, the model of all giving, or to the gift of grace enabling the Corinthians to abound (as in 8:1); or, to the anticipated result of the gift given by them.