2nd Corinthians 9

 

 

1 Concerning the ministering to the (poor) saints (in Jerusalem), it is unnecessary for me to write to you:

2 Because I know the readiness of which I boast of you to those of Macedonia, (saying) that Achaia has prepared (their gift) a year ago; and your enthusiasm has provoked very many.

3 However, I have sent the brothers (to you), lest our boasting of you should prove to be empty in this regard; seeing as I said, your gift was ready:

4 Otherwise, if anyone from Macedonia comes with me, and finds you unprepared, we {not you} would blush (with embarrassment) in this confident boasting (we have made about you).

5 Therefore, I thought it was necessary to ask the brothers to go to you before (my arrival with perhaps some from Macedonia), and complete your gift beforehand, that which you had (purposed and) prepared before, so that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty (joy and generosity in your heart), and not because of covetousness (by necessity or obligation).

6 But this I say, he which sows sparingly (from a heart of necessity, gives begrudgingly and not from sufficiency) shall also reap sparingly (not experiencing the joy of God’s life, but instead, sorrow, fear, pain, lack, and loss); and he which sows bountifully (from a heart filled with all sufficiency, and contentment in Christ unto generosity) shall also reap bountifully (love, joy and cheerfulness).

7 As every man has purposed in his heart, so let him give (bountifully from joy and sufficiency); not grudgingly or (sparingly) of obligation (or compulsion), for God loves a cheerful giver (who is able to experience the fullness of joy and generosity His life supplies).

8 Moreover, God is able to make all grace abound toward you (strengthening you with the belief in your heart that you have all things in Christ); so that (in knowing) you always have all sufficiency in all things (pertaining to life and Godlikeness), (you) may overflow to every good work (whereby you experience the fruit of His life in abundance):

9 {As it is written, He has dispersed (His grace) abroad (sowing Christ into the earth); He has given to the poor (in spirit, those who see they are weak and without strength): His righteousness (the supply of His unquenchable life) remains forever.

10 Now the One that ministers (Christ the) seed to the sower (so that He might) both minister bread for your food (unto eternal life), and multiply the seed sown (in your heart), (so that you might be strengthened in the inner man) and increase the fruits of your righteousness (some thirty, some sixty and some one-hundred fold);}

11 Enriching you in every way with all (grace, and) generosity, which produces through us thanksgiving unto God.

12 For the ministering of this service not only (unendingly) supplies for the needs of the saints, but also overflows through many (who offer) thanksgivings unto God;

13 Through (seeing how) the proof of this ministry (has animated your hearts), they glorify God because of the obedience in your (heart to your) confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity toward them, and unto all men;

14 And by their prayer (and desire) for (the life in) you, which longs after you because of the exceeding grace of God (they behold) in you.

15 Thanks be to God for the unspeakable gift (of Himself).