2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9
A folio of Papyrus 46 (written ca. AD 200), containing 2 Corinthians 11:33–12:9. This manuscript contains almost complete parts of the whole Pauline epistles.
BookSecond Epistle to the Corinthians
CategoryPauline epistles
Christian Bible partNew Testament
Order in the Christian part8

2 Corinthians 9 is the ninth chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It was written by Paul the Apostle and Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:1) in Macedonia in 55–56 CE.[1]

This chapter continues "the topic of generous giving" [2] commenced in the previous chapter. The eighteenth-century German theologian Johann Salomo Semler suggested that this chapter was a separate letter later inserted into 2 Corinthians.[3] The Jerusalem Bible notes the possibility that chapter 9 was "a short note to the churches of Achaia, being inserted here subsequently to follow the instructions on the same subject ... in chapter 8.[4] The Pulpit Commentary rejects this suggestion.[5]

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 15 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Old Testament references

Verse 2

... I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.[7]

Achaia was the region within which Corinth was located. The change of wording from "Corinth" to "Achaia" is "somewhat surprising", but it is consistent with the wording in 2 Corinthians 1, where the letter is addressed to "the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia".[8]

Verses 6-7

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.[9]

Paul provides "an assurance grounded in Scripture and partly cited from it, that as we sow, so shall we reap".[10]

  • "To sow bountifully" is literally "to sow with blessings": the spirit of the giver must encompass giving alms with blessings, such that the second reference to "bountiful" blessings simply indicates the same giving in return.[10]
  • "not reluctantly or under compulsion" (the New King James Version reads "not grudgingly or of necessity"): that is "of his own will and free choice", from one's very heart; not as directed and forced by others.[11]
  • "For God loves a cheerful giver": The Jewish phrase "with a cheerful countenance", or elsewhere "with a cheerful heart" is from the quotation: "He that doth the commandment, i.e. alms, let him do it "with a cheerful heart"."[11] Proverbs 22:8 in the Septuagint has "God blesses a cheerful man, and a giver", which may be what Paul refers to.[11]

Verse 9

As it is written:
"He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor;
His righteousness remains forever."[12]

Citing Psalm 112:9.[13]

Verse 15

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift![14]

Paul knew that all the magnificent promises of God were guaranteed through the perfect sacrifice of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:20). Thus, that "indescribable free gift" would include all the goodness and loyal love that God would extend to mankind through Jesus. Indeed, that gift is so awe-inspiring that it cannot be fully described in human terms.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ MacDonald 2007, p. 1134.
  2. ^ Buls, H. H., Buls' Notes: 2 Corinthians 8:1–9; 13–14, accessed 5 September 2017
  3. ^ Kennedy, J. H., Are the two epistles in 2 Corinthians?, The Expositor, Series 5, Volume 6.3, September 1897
  4. ^ Jerusalem Bible, footnote a on 2 Corinthians 9, page 317
  5. ^ Pulpit Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9, accessed September 6, 2017
  6. ^ Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Vol. Book IV and V: Psalms XC-CL. Cambridge: At the University Press. p. 840. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  7. ^ 2 Corinthians 9:2: English Standard Version
  8. ^ MacDonald 2007, p. 1144.
  9. ^ 2 Corinthians 9:7: ESV
  10. ^ a b Alford, H. (1841-61), Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary - Alford on 2 Corinthians 9, accessed on 25 June 2025
  11. ^ a b c John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, 2 Corinthians 9:7
  12. ^ 2 Corinthians 9:9: MEV
  13. ^ Note [a] on 2 Corinthians 9:9 in MEV
  14. ^ 2 Cor 9:15: NKJV
  15. ^ Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, Be Compelled by God's "Indescribable Free Gift" - Watchtower Study, January 2016.

Sources

  • MacDonald, Margaret (2007). "66. 2 Corinthians". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 1134–1151. ISBN 978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
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