2 Corinthians 9:7: Edit history

Revision #6731

2 Corinthians 9:7

Localized for English-speaking readers

Status: approved

Changes from the previous English revision

= ## Context

- Second Corinthians 8–9 addresses the collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Paul points to the example of the churches of Macedonia, which gave abundantly even in the midst of affliction (8:1-5), and grounds his appeal in the grace of Christ, who, though he was rich, became poor (8:9). In 9:6 he writes, "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully," and in verse 7 he addresses the attitude with which one should give. The phrase "God loveth a cheerful giver" closely resembles the wording of Proverbs 22 in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament.

+ Second Corinthians 8–9 addresses the collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Paul points to the example of the churches of Macedonia, which gave abundantly even in the midst of affliction (8:1-5), and grounds his appeal in the grace of Christ, who, though he was rich, became poor (8:9). In 9:6 he writes, "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully," and in verse 7 he turns to the attitude with which one should give: "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." The phrase "God loveth a cheerful giver" closely resembles the wording of Proverbs 22 in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament.

= ## Interpretation

= - **As a principle of voluntary giving**: This reading holds that the attitude of the heart matters more than the amount given. "As he purposeth in his heart" refers to each person deliberating and deciding in advance.

- - **In the context of relief and church unity**: Some interpreters emphasize that this collection was not for church operating expenses but was relief for the poor believers of a church in another region, and that it served to demonstrate the unity of Gentile and Jewish churches.

+ - **In the context of relief and church unity**: Some interpreters emphasize that this collection was not for church operating expenses but was relief for the poor believers of a church in another region, and that it demonstrated the unity of Gentile and Jewish churches.

= ## Debates and Issues

…

= In addition, critics of prosperity theology have objected to reading this verse together with the "sowing and reaping" of verse 6 as a basis for so-called "seed offering" teaching, which holds that giving brings greater material blessing. These critics point out that the abundance described in verses 8–11 is given so that believers "may abound to every good work."

- ## In the Korean Church

- The verse is frequently quoted in offertory prayers, as well as in sermons on thanksgiving offerings and pledged offerings.

+ ## In Korean Churches

+ In Korean Protestant churches, the verse is frequently quoted in offertory prayers during the offering, as well as in sermons on thanksgiving offerings and pledged offerings.

= ## Related Passages

…

A verse instructing each person to give as he has decided in his heart, "not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." It is a key text on the proper attitude toward giving and is cited in the tithing debate as a basis for voluntary offerings.
A verse in which Paul instructs each believer to give as he has decided in his heart, "not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." It is a key text on the proper attitude toward giving and is cited in the tithing debate as a basis for voluntary offerings.

Full revision

A verse in which Paul instructs each believer to give as he has decided in his heart, "not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." It is a key text on the proper attitude toward giving and is cited in the tithing debate as a basis for voluntary offerings.

Context

Second Corinthians 8–9 addresses the collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Paul points to the example of the churches of Macedonia, which gave abundantly even in the midst of affliction (8:1-5), and grounds his appeal in the grace of Christ, who, though he was rich, became poor (8:9). In 9:6 he writes, "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully," and in verse 7 he turns to the attitude with which one should give: "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." The phrase "God loveth a cheerful giver" closely resembles the wording of Proverbs 22 in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament.

Interpretation

As a principle of voluntary giving: This reading holds that the attitude of the heart matters more than the amount given. "As he purposeth in his heart" refers to each person deliberating and deciding in advance.
In the context of relief and church unity: Some interpreters emphasize that this collection was not for church operating expenses but was relief for the poor believers of a church in another region, and that it demonstrated the unity of Gentile and Jewish churches.

Debates and Issues

This verse is frequently invoked in the tithing debate. Those who do not regard the tithe as obligatory in the New Testament era cite it to argue that the New Testament teaches voluntary and joyful giving rather than a fixed percentage. Those who hold that the tithe should still be observed counter that the call to give cheerfully concerns attitude and does not abolish the tithe as a standard.

In addition, critics of prosperity theology have objected to reading this verse together with the "sowing and reaping" of verse 6 as a basis for so-called "seed offering" teaching, which holds that giving brings greater material blessing. These critics point out that the abundance described in verses 8–11 is given so that believers "may abound to every good work."

In Korean Churches

In Korean Protestant churches, the verse is frequently quoted in offertory prayers during the offering, as well as in sermons on thanksgiving offerings and pledged offerings.

Related Passages

2 Corinthians 8:9, 12
Proverbs 22:9
Exodus 25:2
Acts 20:35

Revision	Time (UTC)	Contributor	Summary	Status
#6731	2026-11-05 01:48:32	AI localization	Localized for English-speaking readers	approved
#6730	2026-11-05 01:48:32	AI localization	English baseline before localization	approved