2 Corinthians 9 – Shortcode

Arrangements for the Gift

(Parallel teachings: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; Romans 15:25-28)

• 1 For indeed, it’s superfluous for me to write to you about service to the holy ones.
• 2 For I *know your eagerness, which I boast about for your sake to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal provoked more of them.
• 3 But I sent the brothers so that our boast about you wouldn’t be emptied in this matter, so that you might be *prepared, just as I was saying.
• 4 Lest if the Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we – that’s not to mention you – would be put to shame in this confidence [of our boast].
• 5 Therefore, I thought it was essential to urge the brothers so that they might go to you and prepare beforehand this blessing from you which was *promised beforehand.  Thus, it’s ready to be given as a blessing and not as from reluctant greed.^fn“greed” could also be translated “covetousness”.  Paul seems to be saying the gift should be freely given without a greedy wish that they wouldn’t have to give what they’d promised.
• 6 Yet remember this: the man sowing sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the man sowing on blessings will also reap on blessings,^fnquotation/allusion to Proverbs 11:24-25.
• 7 just as each man *decided in the heart, not from grief or from compulsion, for God ^loves a joyfully voluntary^fn“joyfully voluntary” is one word in Greek, which properly means joyful and not under compulsion; i.e. voluntary and happy about it. giver.^fnquotation/allusion to the version of Proverbs 22:8 found in the Septuagint (an ancient translation of the Old Testament into Greek, usually abbreviated “LXX”). Nearly all modern translations of the Old Testament are based on the Hebrew text, and thus read differently in Proverbs 22:8.
• 8 And God can make all grace overflow into you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you might overflow in every good work.
• 9 Just as it’s *written, “He scattered abroad, He gave to the poor, His righteousness endures throughout the ages.”^fnquotation/allusion to Psalm 112:9.  “throughout the ages” is literally “throughout the age” and is often translated “forever”. In the plural (“through the ages”), this phrase emphasizes the succession of multiple ages. In the singular, it emphasizes the totality of a time period, the length of which depends entirely on the context. It could be a person’s lifetime, (e.g., John 8:35) an age/epoch (e.g., 1 Cor 8:13), or time in its entirety, making its meaning similar to “forever” (e.g., John 14:16). The preposition translated “throughout” typically means “through” in temporal contexts (Thayer’s), but “throughout” was chosen to more precisely capture the sense of totality.
• 10 And the One supplying seed for the man sowing will also abundantly provide bread for food,^fnquotation/allusion to Isaiah 55:10 and will multiply your seed, and will grow the fruits of your righteousness,^fnquotation/allusion to the version of Hosea 10:12 found in the Septuagint (an ancient translation of the Old Testament into Greek, usually abbreviated “LXX”). Nearly all modern translations of the Old Testament are based on the Hebrew text, and thus read differently in Hosea 10:12.
• 11 enriching you in everything, into all generosity which produces thanksgiving to God through us.
• 12 For the ministry of this service is not only completely supplying the needs of the holy ones, but also overflowing through much thanksgiving^fnliterally “many thanksgivings” to God.
• 13 Because this service is proof of your genuineness,^fn“proof of your genuineness” is one word in Greek.  It’s a noun, derived from the adjective “δόκιμος” (dokimos) which means something that has been tested to prove it’s genuine.  It was used of testing coins to prove they weren’t counterfeit or mixed with lesser metals. they’re glorifying God at the submission of your confession to the good news of the Anointed, and the generosity of your partnership to them and to all men.
• 14 And their earnest prayer is for your sake, longing for you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
• 15 Thanks^fn“Thanks” is literally “Grace”.  The Greek word here is “χάρις” (charis), most often translated “grace” or “gift”.  It was a technical term in the 1st century, referring to the Patronage system in place.  The Patron (from “pater” = “father”) would give gifts or do favors (both called a charis) for someone.  A charis was always given/done freely to anyone who would be grateful for it, and this person then became a “client” of the patron.  The clients were expected to reciprocate by telling everyone what the patron had done, and offering their services to the patron whenever the patron needed them. This reciprocal act was also called “charis”, and the ones who reciprocated were “being faithful”.  Both were done out of gratitude, not legal obligation.  A client who wasn’t faithful and grateful probably wouldn’t receive any more charis from his patron, or any other patrons.  The patron was responsible for taking care of all his clients, and making sure their needs were met.  Christian Grace and Faith is well pictured by this system.  The Heavenly Patron (God the Father) freely gave a gift (Jesus’ blood), and the clients who accept it (Christians) are expected to “be faithful” out of gratitude. be to God for His indescribable gift!