2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:1

For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;

Ministry to the saints. Paul was eager to show the world the church was a family where people looked out for each other regardless of tribe, race or culture (Gal. 6:10). Sometimes this meant supplying financial aid to churches that were struggling, as was the case in Jerusalem (Acts 11:30, Rom. 15:26, 1 Cor. 16:1–3).

2 Corinthians 9:6

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

(a) He who sows. Since this verse comes in the middle of a passage about giving, some have used these words to sell the blessings of God, as in “Give financially, and God will bless you financially.” However, the blessings of God cannot be bought for any price but are freely available on account of God’s grace (Eph. 1:3).

Sowing and reaping is a fact of life; you get back what you put in. Paul’s point is the more you sow, the more you reap. In context he’s saying, “If you decide to give out of your abundance, then don’t hold back.”

(b) Sparingly. Another way this verse is misused is to encourage the poor to give what they can’t afford in the hope of getting a financial windfall from a God who is obliged to repay them. Paul isn’t saying that either. The word “sparingly” paints a picture of a sower who has much seed to sow but who only sows some. When he’s finished he is left with spare seed. Paul is saying, “Don’t be a stingy sower who only reaps a stingy harvest because you’ll be missing out on a bountiful harvest.”

Further reading: “Sowing, reaping and the golden rule”

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

(a) Purposed in his heart. You decide how much you want to contribute.

(b) Not grudgingly. Don’t let others compel you to give and don’t give because you feel you must. God loves it when you freely and cheerfully choose how much to give. It is a blessing to be able to give and share with others with the gifts and resources God has given us (Acts 20:35).

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

(a) Grace abound. The original word for abound (perisseuō) means overflowing as in “more than you need.” It’s the same word used to describe the leftovers that remained after Jesus fed the 5000 (Matt. 14:20). When it comes to grace, God is generous to the point of lavish wastefulness. See also the entry for Rom. 5:20.

(b) Having all sufficiency. The original word (autarkeia) means independently wealthy and in need of nothing. Sufficiency is not an amount in your bank account but a mindset or a state of restful contentment. It’s living from the reality that “the Lord is shepherd, I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1).

(c) An abundance for every good deed. God gives you grace for your need and then he gives you extra grace that you don’t need until you are overflowing with grace.

In short, God graciously supplies all our needs giving us more than we need so that we can sow bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6) and draw others into the blessing of God.

2 Corinthians 9:9

as it is written,
“HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR,
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”

His righteousness endures forever. Manmade righteousness is brittle and useless, but God’s righteousness is everlasting. Since you have been made righteous with his righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21), this is a wonderful assurance of your everlasting salvation (Rom. 5:21). See entry for Righteousness.

2 Corinthians 9:10

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;

(a) Supplies. The original word (choregeo) means to pay for the chorus. In Greek festivals and plays, a wealthy patron would fund the performance of live music. They hired, trained, and dressed the performers. Similarly, God has called you to shine with the gifts he has given you, and he will train you, dress you, and provide everything you need for you to deliver a performance worthy of his name.

(b) Your seed. God gives us seed (talents, resources) for sowing (investing). In context, Paul is talking about “supplying the needs of the saints” (2 Cor. 9:12). He is encouraging the Corinthians to follow the Macedonians’ example and raise funds for Christians who were facing hardships (2 Cor. 9:1).

(c) Enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. God blesses us abundantly making it possible for us to abundantly bless others. The fruit of our giving will be thanksgiving and praise to God (2 Cor. 9:12).

2 Corinthians 9:12

For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.

(a) The needs of the saints. Paul actively raised funds to support struggling Christians in other churches; see entry for 2 Cor. 9:1.

(b) Many thanksgivings. The recipients of financial aid gave thanks to God.

2 Corinthians 9:14

while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

(a) Surpassing grace. The original word for surpassing (huperballo) is the same word that is used to describe the surpassing riches of God’s grace and the surpassing greatness of his power in Ephesians 2:7 and 1:19. God’s immeasurable grace is comparable to his immeasurable power.

(b) The grace of God refers to the goodwill, lovingkindness, and favor of God that is freely given to us so that we may partake in his divine life. See entry for Grace of God.

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