2 Corinthians 9 (NET)

Preparing the Gift

1 For it is not necessary1 for me to write you about this service2 to the saints, 2 because I know your eagerness to help.3 I keep boasting to the Macedonians about this eagerness of yours,4 that Achaia has been ready to give5 since last year, and your zeal to participate6 has stirred up most of them.7 3 But I am sending8 these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready9 just as I kept telling them. 4 For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated10 (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you.11 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution12 you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift13 and not as something you feel forced to do.14 6 My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously15 will also reap generously. 7 Each one of you should give16 just as he has decided in his heart,17 not reluctantly18 or under compulsion,19 because God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace overflow20 to you so that because you have enough21 of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow22 in every good work. 9 Just as it is written, “He23 has scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.”24 10 Now God25 who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion,26 which is producing through us thanksgiving to God, 12 because the service of this ministry is not only providing for27 the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God. 13 Through the evidence28 of this service29 they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing30 with them and with everyone. 14 And in their prayers on your behalf they long for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown to you.31 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!32

19:1tn Or “it is superfluous.” 29:1tn Or “this ministry,” “this contribution.” 39:2tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied. 49:2tn Grk “concerning which I keep boasting to the Macedonians about you.” A new sentence was started here and the translation was simplified by removing the relative clause and repeating the antecedent “this eagerness of yours.” 59:2tn The words “to give” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. 69:2tn The words “to participate” are not in the Greek text but are implied. 79:2sn Most of them is a reference to the Macedonians (cf. v. 4). 89:3tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist. 99:3tn That is, ready with the collection for the saints. 109:4tn Or “be disgraced”; Grk “be put to shame.” 119:4tn Grk “by this confidence”; the words “we had in you” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied as a necessary clarification for the English reader. 129:5tn Grk “the blessing.” 139:5tn Grk “a blessing.” 149:5tn Grk “as a covetousness”; that is, a gift given grudgingly or under compulsion. 159:6tn Or “bountifully”; so also in the next occurrence in the verse. 169:7tn Or “must do.” The words “of you” and “should give” are not in the Greek text, which literally reads, “Each one just as he has decided in his heart.” The missing words are an ellipsis; these or similar phrases must be supplied for the English reader. 179:7tn Or “in his mind.” 189:7tn Or “not from regret”; Grk “not out of grief.” 199:7tn Or “not out of a sense of duty”; Grk “from necessity.” 209:8tn Or “abound.” 219:8tn Or “so that by having enough.” The Greek participle can be translated as a participle of cause (“because you have enough”) or means (“by having enough”). 229:8tn Or “abound.” 239:9sn He in the quotation refers to the righteous person. 249:9sn A quotation from Ps 112:9. 259:10tn Grk “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 269:11tn Grk “in every way for every generosity,” or “he will always make you rich enough to be generous at all times” (L&N 57.29). 279:12tn Or “not only supplying.” 289:13tn Or “proof,” or perhaps “testing” (NRSV). 299:13tn Or “ministry.” 309:13tn Or “your partnership”; Grk “your fellowship.” 319:14tn Grk “the extraordinary grace of God to you”; the point is that God has given or shown grace to the Corinthians. 329:15tn “Let us thank God for his gift which cannot be described with words” (L&N 33.202).