1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints, 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 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 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 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 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 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 make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.” 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 you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack amongst the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God, 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 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
2 Corinthians · World English Bible British Edition (with Deuterocanon)
2 Corinthians 9 World English Bible British Edition (with Deuterocanon)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (1)
- "World English Bible" is a trademark of eBible.org; the text is shown unaltered.
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)