2 Corinthians 9:5
New International Version
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

New Living Translation
So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.

English Standard Version
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

Berean Standard Bible
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore I esteemed it necessary to exhort the brothers that they should go before unto you and should complete beforehand your foreannounced blessing, thus this to be ready as a blessing, and not as covetousness.

King James Bible
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

New King James Version
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.

New American Standard Bible
So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers that they go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously promised generous gift, that the same would be ready as a generous gift, and not as one grudgingly given due to greediness.

NASB 1995
So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.

NASB 1977
So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, that the same might be ready as a bountiful gift, and not affected by covetousness.

Legacy Standard Bible
So I regarded it necessary to encourage the brothers that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised blessing, so that the same would be ready as a blessing and not as a begrudging obligation.

Amplified Bible
That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you [before I come] and make arrangements in advance for this generous, previously promised gift of yours, so that it would be ready, not as something extorted [or wrung out of you], but as a [voluntary and] generous gift.

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion.

American Standard Version
I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

Contemporary English Version
So I have decided to ask Titus and the others to spend some time with you before I arrive. This way they can arrange to collect the money you have promised. Then you will have the chance to give because you want to, and not because you feel forced to.

English Revised Version
I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So I thought that I should encourage our coworkers to visit you before I do and make arrangements for this gift that you had already promised to give. Then it will be the blessing it was intended to be, and it won't be something you're forced to do.

Good News Translation
So I thought it was necessary to urge these believers to go to you ahead of me and get ready in advance the gift you promised to make. Then it will be ready when I arrive, and it will show that you give because you want to, not because you have to.

International Standard Version
Therefore, I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to visit you ahead of me, to make arrangements in advance for this gift you promised, and to have it ready as something given generously and not forced.

Majority Standard Bible
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.

NET Bible
Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift and not as something you feel forced to do.

New Heart English Bible
I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before to you, and make up before hand your bounty, of which ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not of covetousness.

Weymouth New Testament
I have thought it absolutely necessary therefore to request these brethren to visit you before I myself come, and to make sure beforehand that the gift of love which you have already promised may be ready as a gift of love, and may not seem to have been something which I have extorted from you.

World English Bible
I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore I thought [it] necessary to exhort the brothers, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore I esteemed it necessary to exhort the brothers that they should go before unto you and should complete beforehand your foreannounced blessing, thus this to be ready as a blessing, and not as covetousness.

Young's Literal Translation
Necessary, therefore, I thought it to exhort the brethren, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness.

Smith's Literal Translation
Therefore I thought necessary to beseech the brethren that they go before to you, and prepare beforehand your praise, having been proclaimed beforehand, this same to be prepared, so as praise, and not as covetousness.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would go to you before, and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing, not as covetousness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, I considered it necessary to ask the brothers to go to you in advance and to prepare this blessing as promised, and in this way, you may be ready as a blessing, not as an excess.

New American Bible
So I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for your promised gift, so that in this way it might be ready as a bountiful gift and not as an exaction.

New Revised Standard Version
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore I thought it necessary to ask these, my brethren, to go before me to you, and make ready in advance the contribution, of which you have long ago been notified, that you might have it ready as a contribution and not as though it were forced on you.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Therefore it has been taken care of by me to ask of these my brethren to come beforehand to you and to prepare the blessing, for from the first you submitted that it should be prepared in this way as a blessing, not to be according to greed,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go before to you, and make ready beforehand your bounty, which has been so much talked of before, that this might be ready as a bounty, and not as a gift extorted from you.

Godbey New Testament
Therefore I considered it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they may come to you beforehand, and perfect your preannounced benefaction, that it may be ready, as a benefaction, not as a stingy contribution.

Haweis New Testament
have thought it necessary therefore to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and prepare before your promised bounty, that it may be ready as a matter of bounty, and not as extorted of covetousness.

Mace New Testament
I thought it therefore necessary to counsel the brethren to go before, and settle the management of the contribution by this previous notice, that it might have such dispatch, as shows a bountiful, and not a niggardly temper.

Weymouth New Testament
I have thought it absolutely necessary therefore to request these brethren to visit you before I myself come, and to make sure beforehand that the gift of love which you have already promised may be ready as a gift of love, and may not seem to have been something which I have extorted from you.

Worrell New Testament
I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brethren, that they should go before to you, and make up beforehand your previously promised bounty, that this may be ready as a matter of bounty and not as of covetousness.

Worsley New Testament
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go first to you, and before our coming to collect your bounty beforementioned, that it may be ready, as of munificence, and not of force.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly. 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 8:11-12
Now finish the work, so that you may complete it with the same eager desire, according to your means. / For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: / On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed. / Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. ...

Philippians 4:18
I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Romans 15:25-28
Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there. / For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. / They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings. ...

Galatians 6:6-10
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor. / Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ...

Acts 11:29-30
So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. / This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Matthew 6:1-4
“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. / So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ...

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops; / then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Malachi 3:10
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.

Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand.

Proverbs 11:24-25
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. / A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Isaiah 32:8
But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers, that they would go before to you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof you had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

and make.

2 Corinthians 8:6
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

1 Corinthians 16:2
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

bounty.

Genesis 33:11
Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

1 Samuel 25:27
And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

1 Samuel 30:26
And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;

whereof ye had notice before.

Jump to Previous
Advance Ahead Arrange Beforehand Bounty Covetousness Entreat Exaction Exhort Extorted Generosity Generous Gift Greediness Hand Love Matter Necessary Notice Previously Promised Ready Request Seem Something Sure Thought Time Urge Visit Whereof Willing
Jump to Next
Advance Ahead Arrange Beforehand Bounty Covetousness Entreat Exaction Exhort Extorted Generosity Generous Gift Greediness Hand Love Matter Necessary Notice Previously Promised Ready Request Seem Something Sure Thought Time Urge Visit Whereof Willing
2 Corinthians 9
1. He yields the reason why he sent Titus and his brothers beforehand.
6. And he proceeds in stirring them up to a bountiful alms, as being but a kind of sowing of seed,
10. which shall return a great increase to them,
13. and occasion a great sacrifice of thanksgivings unto God.














So I thought it necessary
The phrase indicates Paul's personal judgment and discernment. The Greek word for "necessary" (ἀναγκαῖον, anankaios) implies a sense of obligation or compulsion. Paul is not acting on a whim but feels a strong moral duty to ensure the Corinthians' commitment to their promise. This reflects the importance of intentionality and responsibility in Christian stewardship.

to urge the brothers
The term "urge" (παρακαλέω, parakaleó) is often translated as "to exhort" or "to encourage." It carries a sense of coming alongside someone to offer support and motivation. The "brothers" likely refer to trusted companions of Paul, possibly Titus and others, who are tasked with facilitating the collection. This highlights the communal aspect of the early church, where mutual encouragement and accountability were vital.

to visit you in advance
Paul's strategy involves preparation and foresight. The Greek word for "visit" (προέρχομαι, proerchomai) suggests going ahead or preceding. By sending the brothers ahead, Paul ensures that the Corinthians are ready and that their gift is prepared. This reflects the biblical principle of planning and readiness in giving, ensuring that acts of generosity are thoughtful and deliberate.

and complete the arrangements
The phrase underscores the importance of organization and follow-through. The Greek word for "complete" (καταρτίζω, katartizó) means to prepare fully or to make ready. Paul wants to ensure that everything is in place for the collection, emphasizing the need for diligence and thoroughness in ministry efforts.

for the generous gift
The term "generous gift" (εὐλογία, eulogia) can also be translated as "blessing." This indicates that the act of giving is not merely a transaction but a blessing both for the giver and the receiver. The use of "eulogia" suggests that the gift is abundant and given with a spirit of liberality, reflecting the grace of God.

you had promised
The Corinthians had previously committed to this collection, and Paul is reminding them of their promise. The Greek word for "promised" (προεπαγγέλλομαι, proepangellomai) implies a prior pledge or commitment. This highlights the importance of integrity and faithfulness in fulfilling one's commitments, especially in the context of supporting the work of the church.

Then it will be ready
The readiness of the gift is crucial. The Greek word for "ready" (ἑτοίμος, hetoimos) suggests preparedness and availability. Paul wants the Corinthians to be prepared so that their gift is not given hastily or under compulsion but as a deliberate act of worship and service.

as a generous gift
Reiterating the nature of the gift as "generous" emphasizes the spirit in which it should be given. The repetition of "eulogia" underscores the idea that giving is an act of grace, reflecting God's own generosity towards us.

not as one grudgingly given
The contrast here is stark. The Greek word for "grudgingly" (πλεονεξία, pleonexia) can also mean "covetousness" or "greed." Paul warns against giving that is reluctant or motivated by selfishness. True Christian giving should be free from reluctance or compulsion, embodying the joy and freedom found in Christ.

(5) Therefore I thought it necessary . . .--The brethren were to go before St. Paul, so as to get all things ready for his arrival. There were to be no hurried and unsatisfactory collections then.

Your bounty, whereof ye had notice before.--Better, your bounty, announced before. He is not referring to any notice that he had given, whether in 1Corinthians 16:1-2 or elsewhere, but to the announcement that he himself had made to the churches of Macedonia. The word for "bounty" (eulogia) has, like that for "confidence" in the preceding verse, the interest of an ecclesiastical history attaching to it. Literally, it means a "blessing;" then, as in the LXX. of Genesis 23:11, Judges 1:15, it was used for the "gift," which is the outward token or accompaniment of a blessing. In liturgical language, as connected with the "cup of blessing," it was applied--(1) to the consecrated bread and wine of the Lord's Supper generally; (2) specially to those portions which were reserved to be sent to the sick and other absentees; (3) when that practice fell into disuse, to the unconsecrated remains; and (4) to gifts of bread or cake to friends or the poor, as a residuum of the old distributions at the Agapae, or Feasts of Charity.

As a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.--The bearing of the last word is not quite obvious. Probably what is meant is this:--"Let your gift be worthy of what you call it, a 'blessing' expressed in act, not the grudging gift of one who, as he gives, is intent on gaining some advantage through his seeming generosity." So understood, it expresses the same thought as Shakespeare's well-known lines:--

"The quality of mercy is not strained,

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."

It is possible, however, that the word "covetousness" had been applied tauntingly to St. Paul himself, as always "asking for more," always "having his hand" (as is sometimes said of active organising secretaries in our own time) "in people's pockets," and that this is his answer to that taunt. The use of the corresponding verb in 2Corinthians 7:2; 2Corinthians 12:17-18, is strongly in favour of this view. "Don't look on this business," he seems to say, "as a self-interested work of mine. Think of it as, in every sense of the word, a blessing both to givers and receivers." . . .

Verse 5. - That they would go before unto you. The triple repetition of the word "before" shows how earnest St. Paul is in the matter. The Corinthians had promised largely; it was evident that there had been, or that there was ground for fearing that there might be, some slackness of performance. St. Paul was so unwilling to have seemed inaccurate in what, he had said about them in Macedonia that he wished to give them ample notice before the Macedonian delegates arrived. Your bounty, whereof ye had notice before; your previously promised blessing, bounty; literally, blessing. The mere word should have acted as an inducement to generosity. See the use of the word to express a generous gift in Genesis 33:11; Judges 1:15, etc. (LXX.); Ephesians 1:3. In this sense it resembles the Hebrew berachah (Joshua 15:19, etc.). As a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness; as a blessing, and not as an extortion; i.e. as a free gift of your own, and not as something which I had wrung from you, or "got out of you" (2 Corinthians 7:2; 2 Corinthians 12:17, 18). It is less likely that the word pleonexia refers to the "parsimony" of the Corinthians, as though the smallness of their gift would show their greed for large gains.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

I thought [it]
ἡγησάμην (hēgēsamēn)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2233: (a) To lead, (b) To think, be of opinion, suppose, consider.

necessary
ἀναγκαῖον (anankaion)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 316: Necessary, essential, intimate, right, proper. From anagke; necessary; by implication, close.

to urge
παρακαλέσαι (parakalesai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

brothers
ἀδελφοὺς (adelphous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

visit you beforehand
προέλθωσιν (proelthōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4281: To go forward, go on, advance; I go before, precede. From pro and erchomai; to go onward, precede.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

make arrangements
προκαταρτίσωσιν (prokatartisōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4294: To prepare or complete beforehand. From pro and katartizo; to prepare in advance.

for the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

bountiful gift
εὐλογίαν (eulogian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2129: Adulation, praise, blessing, gift.

you had promised.
προεπηγγελμένην (proepēngelmenēn)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4279: To promise beforehand. Middle voice from pro and epaggello; to promise of old.

This way,
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[gift]
ταύτην (tautēn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

will be
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

prepared
ἑτοίμην (hetoimēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2092: Ready, prepared. From an old noun heteos; adjusted, i.e. Ready.

generously
εὐλογίαν (eulogian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2129: Adulation, praise, blessing, gift.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

begrudgingly.
πλεονεξίαν (pleonexian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4124: Covetousness, avarice, aggression, desire for advantage. From pleonektes; avarice, i.e. fraudulency, extortion.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 9:5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 9:4
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