2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9 is the ninth of the thirteen chapters of 2 Corinthians. It continues the discussion of the collection begun in 2 Corinthians 8. The collection was a gathering of money or goods to help others, corresponding to what is today called an offering. Whereas chapter 8 encourages giving by pointing to the example of the Macedonian churches, chapter 9 urges the believers of Achaia, the region to which Corinth belonged, to prepare in advance the gift they had promised, and explains its meaning.

Outline

• Verses 1–5 Paul says that he has boasted to the Macedonians that Achaia had been ready since the previous year. So that neither he nor the Corinthians will be put to shame if they are found unprepared when he arrives with Macedonians, he sends the brethren ahead to arrange the promised gift. His aim is that it be a genuine gift rather than one given under compulsion.
• Verses 6–11 Citing the principle that whoever sows sparingly reaps sparingly and whoever sows bountifully reaps bountifully, Paul urges each person to give cheerfully, as he has purposed in his heart. He says that God makes all grace abound so that they may abound in every good work, and he quotes from the Psalms.
• Verses 12–15 This service not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows in thanksgiving to God. Those who receive the gift will pray for the Corinthian believers. Paul closes the chapter by giving thanks to God for His unspeakable gift.

Key Verses

• 2 Corinthians 9:6 "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully": Paul explains giving through the image of sowing and reaping. Verses 6–8 are treated separately in the article 2 Corinthians 9:6–8.
• 2 Corinthians 9:7 "God loveth a cheerful giver": This is the verse most frequently cited when discussing the proper attitude toward offerings.
• 2 Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift": The discussion of the collection concludes with thanksgiving for God's gift.

People and Places

• Paul: The apostle who wrote this letter.
• The brethren: The men Paul sent ahead. They are generally identified as Titus and the two brothers mentioned in chapter 8.
• Macedonia: A region in northern Greece. Paul boasted to the believers there about the zeal of Achaia.
• Achaia: A region in southern Greece to which Corinth belonged.

Points for Reflection

• Verse 9 quotes Psalm 112:9. The image of sowing and reaping in verse 6 resembles Galatians 6:8–10.
• The text speaks only of "the saints" and does not name the recipients. The identification of this collection as intended for the poor saints in Jerusalem rests on 1 Corinthians 16 and Romans 15.
• Interpretations of verses 6–11 differ. Proponents of prosperity theology sometimes use the passage as the basis for a promise that those who give much will receive much in material return. Critics of this view point out that the purpose stated in verse 8 is that believers "may abound to every good work" and that the harvest in verse 10 is "the fruits of your righteousness"; they therefore read the passage not as a promise of material reward but as a principle by which giving leads in turn to further giving and to thanksgiving.
• The "gift" in verse 15 is interpreted by some as Christ Himself and by others as the whole of God's grace expressed in this collection.
• Some scholars regard chapter 9 as a separately written letter that was later joined to chapter 8, but many others read the two chapters as a single continuous unit.

In the Korean Church

• Verse 7 is frequently cited during the offertory and in sermons on giving.
• Verses 6–11 are also used as texts for Thanksgiving sermons and for sermons on offerings and charitable relief.