2 Corinthians 9:1-15 Lesson 351

2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Lesson 351

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

If you give little, you get little (9:6).

Paul reminds Corinth of their promise to the poor.

This lesson concludes Paul's appeal on behalf of Jerusalem begun in lesson 349.

Map showing Macedonia and Achaia.

Where was -

Macedonia -
Macedonia was a Roman province in modern-day northern Greece. It lay on the Aegean Sea north of the Achaia province and became part of the Roman empire in 168 BC. This important province included the cities of Thessalonica, Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Neapolis, Berea, Illyricum, Epirus, and Ephesus. Mount Olympus is also in Macedonia. Paul visited Macedonia twice, once during his second missionary journey and again in Acts 20:1-6. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in Macedonia at the end of his three-year stay in Ephesus.

Achaia -
One of two Roman provinces in Greece, the other being Macedonia. Achaia was in the northwest Peloponnesus (southern half of modern-day Greece), with Corinth as its capital. Second Corinthians was written to the churches in Corinth, all of Achaia, and indeed all the world.

Study Tip:

"Write down what you learn. Don't forget the things the Bible has to teach you!
Use a journal or notebook to keep track of the insights you pick up as you study."

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

The Second Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

The King James Bible

2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Cheerful giving

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

2 For 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.

3 Yet 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:

4 Lest 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.

5 Therefore 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.

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

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

8 And 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.

10 Now 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;)

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

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

13 Whiles 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;

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

15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Margin notes:

"For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you." (9:1) - Which means "on the subject of helping the Christians (in Jerusalem), there is no need for me to write you."

"I know the forwardness of your mind." (9:2) - "I know you're ready (to help)."

"Your zeal hath provoked very many." (9:2) - "Your excitement (to donate) has inspired many others to give."

"I sent the brethren." (9:3) - Paul sent Titus and another believer to Corinth to check on their donation (2 Corinthians 8:18).

"Ye may be ready." (9:3) - Paul is asking the Corinthians to be ready with their donation when Titus arrives.

"To exhort the brethren." (9:5) - "To urge the brethren."

"A matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness." (9:5) - Means "given willingly, not grudgingly."

"He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." (9:6) - A metaphor meaning "he who gives much, will receive much (Proverbs 11:25; 19:17; 22:9; Galatians 6:7)."

"Give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (9:7) - "Don't give reluctantly or because you have to, God loves a cheerful giver" (Deuteronomy 15:7; Philemon 14). How we feel when we give is more important than how much we give (Exodus 25:2; 1 Chronicles 29:9).

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things." (9:8) - "God is able to bless you so you always have enough of everything (Proverbs 22:9; 28:27)."

"As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever." (9:9) - The ability to give to others freely, without seeking reward, honor, or praise, is a blessing from God (paraphrased from Psalm 112:9). Psalm 112 is one of three "Alphabetical Psalms" (along with Psalm 111 and 119). They are composed alphabetically; each verse begins with a different Hebrew letter.

"He that ministereth seed to the sower." (9:10) - "He (God) that supplies seed to the sower."

"The want of the saints." (9:12) - "The needs of the Christians."

"The experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ." (9:13) - "The proof of this ministry is your obedience to the gospel of Christ."

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (9:15) - Why thank God for gifts? Read James 1:17.

New Living Translation

2 Corinthians 9:1-15
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

1 I really don't need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.

2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.

3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don't want to be wrong in my boasting about you.

4 We would be embarrassed-not to mention your own embarrassment-if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren't ready after all I had told them!

5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.

6 Remember this-a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully."

8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

9 As the Scriptures say,

"They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever."

10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving-the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.

14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.

15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. What is tithing?



Study the word of God every day. The Bible has much to teach us.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. To tithe is to support the temple/church financially.  The Old Mosaic Law called for the "children of Israel" to declare ten percent of their wealth sacred and donate it to the priests and Levites (Leviticus 27:30-34).  This included income, farm produce at harvest time, herds, flocks, etc.  The priests then gave ten percent of what they received to support the high priest (Numbers 18:28; Luke 18:11-12).

You can find a notable example of early tithing in Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 7:2 and 7:6 when Abraham gave a tenth of everything he owned to Melchizedek, the king of Salem (Jerusalem).  Another example is Jacob tithing to God so he could return home safely (Genesis 28:20-22).

There is nothing in the New Testament that requires Christians to tithe, however God encourages believers to be good role models and show their faith by giving (9:7).  Tithing was an "acknowledgment that the whole land, that all possessions in general, belonged to him (God), and that it was he alone who conferred them upon those who enjoyed them" (Unger's Bible Dictionary by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, page 1103). Everything we have is a gift from God (John 3:27; 1 Peter 4:10). We are merely the temporary caretakers of our possessions.


Application thought for the day:

What does this passage teach about Christian giving?
What is the relationship between faith and charity?

Will you light a candle today?

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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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