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Summary

2 Corinthians 9:1–5 – Ready the Gift

What happens: Paul says it is unnecessary to write about the collection because he knows their eagerness. He has boasted about their zeal to the Macedonians, which stirred many to act. He sends brothers ahead to arrange the gift so it is ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

What it means: Giving should be prepared, willing, and free from pressure. Careful planning protects unity and reputation in the church. God values integrity in how we handle money and promises.

2 Corinthians 9:6–9 – Cheerful Sowing and Reaping

What happens: Paul teaches that whoever sows sparingly reaps sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully reaps bountifully. Each person must decide in the heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver. He quotes Scripture to show God supplies and the righteous scatter gifts to the poor.

What it means: Generosity reflects trust in God’s provision and care for the needy. God’s character is generous, and He delights in joyful, faith-filled giving. The biblical theme is seed and harvest, where God multiplies grace for good works.

2 Corinthians 9:10–11 – God Multiplies the Seed

What happens: Paul says God who supplies seed to the sower will supply and multiply their seed and increase the harvest of their righteousness. They will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God.

What it means: God provides so believers can provide for others. He turns gifts into praise, showing His faithfulness and kindness. Righteousness bears visible fruit in practical love.

2 Corinthians 9:12–15 – Overflowing Thanks to God

What happens: This service meets needs and overflows in thanksgivings to God. Others glorify God because the Corinthians submit to the gospel and share generously. The recipients long for them and pray for them. Paul ends with, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.”

What it means: Generosity advances worship and strengthens the bond of Christ’s body. Sharing displays obedience to the gospel and God’s mercy. God’s supreme gift is Christ, the source of every other grace.

Application

  • Plan your giving so it is ready, willing, and free from pressure.
  • Decide in your heart and give cheerfully, trusting God to provide.
  • Use what God supplies to meet real needs and produce thanks to Him.
  • Let your generosity point people to God’s greatest gift in Christ.

Bible

1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

3Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

14And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

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