2 Corinthians 9

The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

1 Now l it is superfluous for me to write to you about m the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, n of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready o since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But p I am sending 1 the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, q as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians r come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated - to say nothing of you - for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the s gift 2 you have promised, so that it may be ready t as a willing gift, u not as an exaction. 3

The Cheerful Giver

6 The point is this: v whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully 4 will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, w not reluctantly or under compulsion, for x God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And y God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency 5 in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

9 As it is written,
z "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."

10 He who supplies a seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and b increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 c You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which d through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying e the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, f they 6 will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your g confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 h Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

  1. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 4:9
    Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
  2. Cross References
    Romans 15:25
    At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.
  3. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:24
    So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
  4. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:10
    And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.
  5. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:6
    Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.
    2 Corinthians 8:17 - 18
    For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.
    2 Corinthians 8:22
    And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:2
    On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
  7. Cross References
    Acts 20:4
    Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.
  8. Cross References
    Genesis 33:11
    Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." Thus he urged him, and he took it.
    Judges 1:15
    She said to him, "Give me a blessing. Since you have set me in the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water." And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
    1 Samuel 25:27
    And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord.
  9. Cross References
    Philippians 4:17
    Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
  10. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 12:17 - 18
    Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?
  11. Cross References
    Proverbs 11:24 - 25
    One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; ano...
    Proverbs 22:9
    Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, fo...
    Galatians 6:7
    Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for what...
    Galatians 6:9
    And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in...
    Malachi 3:10
    Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that ...
    Luke 6:38
    Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure...
  12. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 15:10
    You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.
    2 Corinthians 8:12
    For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
  13. Cross References
    Exodus 25:2
    Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.
  14. Cross References
    Philippians 4:19
    And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
    Ephesians 3:2
    Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you.
  15. Cross References
    Psalms 112:9
    He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 112:9
    He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
  17. Cross References
    Isaiah 55:10
    For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.
  18. Cross References
    Hosea 10:12
    Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:5
    That in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge -
  20. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:11
    You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:14
    Your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
  22. Cross References
    Matthew 5:16
    In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
    1 Peter 2:12
    Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
  23. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:12 - 13
    Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
    Hebrews 3:1
    Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.
    Hebrews 4:14
    Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
    Hebrews 10:23
    Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
  24. Cross References
    John 3:16
    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
    Ephesians 2:8
    For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
    2 Corinthians 2:14
    But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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