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.
This chapter continues "the topic of generous giving" Buls, H. H., Buls' Notes: 2 Corinthians 8:1–9; 13–14, accessed 5 September 2017 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.Kennedy, J. H., Are the two epistles in 2 Corinthians?, The Expositor, Series 5, Volume 6.3, September 1897 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.Jerusalem Bible, footnote a on 2 Corinthians 9, page 317 The Pulpit Commentary rejects this suggestion.Pulpit Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9, accessed September 6, 2017
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: Papyrus 46 (~AD 200) Codex Vaticanus (325–350) Codex Sinaiticus (330–360) Codex Alexandrinus (400–440) Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (~450) Codex Freerianus (~450; extant verses 1,7–8,15) Codex Claromontanus (~550).
Old Testament references 2 Corinthians 9:7: (Septuagint only) 2 Corinthians 9:9: Psalm .
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.: English Standard Version 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".
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.: ESV Paul provides "an assurance grounded in Scripture and partly cited from it, that as we sow, so shall we reap".Alford, H. (1841-61), Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary - Alford on 2 Corinthians 9, accessed on 25 June 2025 "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. "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. "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"." in the Septuagint has "God blesses a cheerful man, and a giver", which may be what Paul refers to.John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, 2 Corinthians 9:7
Verse 9 As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness remains forever.": MEV Citing .Note [a] on 2 Corinthians 9:9 in MEV
Verse 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!: NKJV Paul knew that all the magnificent promises of God were guaranteed through the perfect sacrifice of Christ (cf. ). 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.Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, Be Compelled by God's "Indescribable Free Gift" - Watchtower Study, January 2016.
See also Macedonia Titus Related Bible parts: Psalm 112, Proverbs 11, Proverbs 19, Matthew 10, Luke 6, Luke 21
References
Sources
External links King James Bible - Wikisource English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English) Multiple bible versions at Bible Gateway (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)