2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9
A folio of Papyrus 46 (written ca. AD 200), containing 2 Corinthians 11:33–12:9. This manuscript contains almost complete parts of the whole Pauline epistles.
Book Second Epistle to the Corinthians
Bible part New Testament
Order in the Bible part 8
Category Pauline epistles

2 Corinthians 9 is the ninth chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Saint Timothy.[1][2]

This chapter continues "the topic of generous giving" [3] 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.[4]. 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.[5] The Pulpit Commentary rejects this suggestion.[6]

Text

Structure

The New King James Version organises this chapter as follows:

Cross reference

Verse 7

New King James Version

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.[7]
  • Every man according as he purposeth in his heart

Which is not to be understood of the quantity, or any set sum he has fixed upon in his mind to give; but of the quality or nature of giving; or of the manner in which he is to give:[8]

  • so let him give;

of his own will and free choice, from his very heart; not as directed and forced by others, but according to his own counsel and determination:[8]

  • not grudgingly;

or not of grief; with pain and uneasiness of mind, grieving at parting with what is given, reflecting on the persons that move him to it, or on the objects moved for. The Jews reckon this the lowest degree of all in giving alms; "when a man gives to anyone" (bueb), "with grief", to which the apostle seems to refer: who adds,[8]

  • or of necessity;

of force, by coaction, being obliged to it by the influence, example, or commands of superiors; or through the powerful motives, or prevailing entreaties of others; for without these, men, according to their abilities, should give of themselves freely and liberally:[8]

  • for God loveth a cheerful giver;

or one that gives (twpy Mynp rbob), "with a cheerful countenance", as the Jews say; or as elsewhere {i}, "with a cheerful heart": their rule is this,[8]

“he that doth the commandment, i.e. alms, let him do it (xmv blb) , "with a cheerful heart".”

Who looks pleasantly on the person or persons that move him to it, or on the object to whom he gives; who parts with his money willingly, and takes delight in doing good to others; such givers God loves: not that their cheerful beneficence is the cause of his special peculiar love to them in his own heart, which arises from nothing in man, or done by him; but the meaning is, that God does well to such persons; shows his love to them; he lets them know how kindly he takes such acts of theirs, by prospering and succeeding them in their worldly affairs. In the Septuagint in Proverbs 22:8 are these words, "God blesses a cheerful man, and a giver", which the apostle refers to.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Halley, Henry H. Halley's Bible Handbook: an Abbreviated Bible Commentary. 23rd edition. Zondervan Publishing House. 1962.
  2. ↑ Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook. Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 2012.
  3. ↑ Buls, H. H., Buls' Notes: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; 13-14, accessed 5 September 2017
  4. ↑ Kennedy, J. H., Are the two epistles in 2 Corinthians?, The Expositor, Series 5, Volume 6.3, September 1897
  5. ↑ Jerusalem Bible, footnote a on 2 Corinthians 9, page 317
  6. ↑ Pulpit Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9, accessed 6 September 2017
  7. ↑ 2 Corinthians 9:7
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, 2 Corinthians 9:7
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