2 Corinthians · Literal Standard Version
2 Corinthians 9 Literal Standard Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 For indeed, concerning the ministry that [is] for the holy ones, it is superfluous for me to write to you,
1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
2 for I have known your readiness of mind, which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared a year ago, and your zeal stirred up the greater part,
2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to those of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for the past year. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
3 and I sent the brothers, that our boasting on your behalf may not be made vain in this respect; that, according as I said, you may be ready,
3 But I have sent the brothers so that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
4 lest if Macedonians may come with me, and find you unprepared, we may be put to shame (that we do not say—you) in this same confidence of boasting.
4 lest by any means, if anyone from Macedonia comes there with me and finds you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) would be disappointed in this confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought [it] necessary to exhort the brothers, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness.
5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
6 And [remember] this: he who is sowing sparingly, will also reap sparingly; and he who is sowing in blessings, will also reap in blessings;
6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 each one, according as he purposes in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver,
7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 and God [is] able to cause all grace to abound to you, that in everything always having all sufficiency, you may abound to every good work,
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
9 according as it has been written: “He dispersed abroad, He gave to the poor, His righteousness remains throughout the age,”
9 As it is written, “He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”
10 and may He who is supplying seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
10 Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11 being enriched to all liberality in everything, which works thanksgiving through us to God,
11 you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.
12 because the ministry of this service not only is supplying the wants of the holy ones, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God,
13 through the proof of this ministry glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the good news of the Christ, and [for] the liberality of the fellowship to them and to all,
13 seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all,
14 and by their supplication in your behalf, longing after you because of the exceeding grace of God on you;
14 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 thanks also to God for His unspeakable gift!
15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
Cross references (15)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Galatians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 8:4–15; 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10; 1 Thessalonians 5:1; Galatians 2:10
- 2 2 Corinthians 8:10; 2 Corinthians 8:8; 2 Corinthians 8:24; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Hebrews 10:24
- 3 2 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 9:4–5; 1 Corinthians 16:1–4; 2 Corinthians 7:14; 2 Corinthians 8:17–24
- 4 Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8:1–5; 2 Corinthians 11:17; 2 Corinthians 8:24; 2 Corinthians 9:2
- 5 Genesis 33:11; 1 Samuel 25:27; Philippians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 8:6; Judges 1:15
- 6 Proverbs 11:24–25; Luke 6:38; Proverbs 22:9; Proverbs 19:17; 2 Corinthians 9:10
- 7 2 Corinthians 8:12; Acts 20:35; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Proverbs 11:25; Exodus 25:2
- 8 Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 4:18–19; Proverbs 10:22; Malachi 3:10; Haggai 2:8
- 9 Psalm 112:9; Psalm 112:3; Proverbs 21:21; Proverbs 8:18; Galatians 5:5–6
- 10 Isaiah 55:10; Hosea 10:12; 2 Corinthians 9:6; Ecclesiastes 11:6; Proverbs 11:18
- 11 1 Timothy 6:17–18; 2 Corinthians 4:15; 1 Chronicles 29:12–14; 2 Corinthians 9:12; Proverbs 3:9–10
- 12 Philemon 4–7; 2 Corinthians 8:14–15; Philippians 2:25; James 2:14–16; 1 John 3:17
- 13 Hebrews 13:16; Matthew 5:16; Galatians 1:24; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Peter 2:9
- 14 Philippians 4:1; 1 Timothy 1:14; 2 Timothy 1:16–18; Philippians 4:18–19; 2 Corinthians 8:6–7
- 15 2 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:16; Ephesians 5:20; Romans 8:32; James 1:17
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
Though he had said so much about it, he says here, "It is superfluous for me to write to you." And his wisdom is shown not only in this, that though he had said so much about it, he saith, "it is superfluous for me to write to you," but in that he yet again speaketh of it.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 12 (1889)
… to the end shall be saved." They grieve for sin, hearing that "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." They rejoice in good works, because they hear that "the Lord loveth a cheerful giver." In like manner, according as they are strong or weak, they fear or desire to …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
Because then also, when things were desperate, there was a sort of deliverance and reformation; but then by punishment, now, on the contrary, by grace and an unspeakable gift. Therefore the dove also appears, not bearing an olive branch, but pointing out to us our Deliverer from all evils, and suggesting the gracious hopes.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
Then, as to what He says, "From him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away," it is to be referred to the mind; for God loveth a cheerful giver. Moreover, every one who accepts anything borrows, even if he himself is not going to pay it; for inasmuch as God pays back more to the merciful, whosoever does …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
"That, always having all sufficiency, we may abound unto every good work." See how they fulfill that word of the gospel which saith, "Give us this day our daily bread," and how they seek even this for spiritual ends.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)