Motivations for Giving
1Now concerning the ministry to the •saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. 2For I know your eagerness, and I brag about you to the Macedonians:a, b “Achaiac, d has been prepared since last year,” and your zeale has stirred up most of them.f 3But I sent the brothers so our boasting about you in the matter would not prove empty, and so you would be prepared just as I said. 4For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be embarrassed in that situation.g 5Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gifth you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion.i
6Remember this:j The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God lovesk a cheerful giver. 8And God is ablel to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 9As it is written:
He scattered;m
He gave to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.n, o
10Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.p 11You will be enrichedq in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12For the ministry of this servicer is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. 13They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession ofs the gospel of Christ, and for your generosityt in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service. 14And they will have deep affection foru you in their prayers on your behalf because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
Footnotes:
a. 9:2 Macedonia was a Roman province in the northern area of modern Greece.
b. 9:2 Ac 16:9
c. 9:2 Achaia was the Roman province, south of Macedonia, where Corinth was located.
d. 9:2 Ac 18:12
e. 9:2 Nm 25:13
f. 9:2 2Co 8:18; 12:18
g. 9:4 Or in this confidence
h. 9:5 Ac 11:30
i. 9:5 Eph 5:3
j. 9:6 Lit And this
k. 9:7 Lk 6:35; Jn 3:16; 12:43; 2Th 2:13; Rv 12:11
l. 9:8 Eph 3:20
m. 9:9 Jn 16:32
n. 9:9 Ps 112:9; 1Jn 2:17
o. 9:9 Ps 112:9
p. 9:10 Is 55:10-11; Hs 10:12
q. 9:11 1Co 1:5; 2Co 6:10
r. 9:12 Heb 8:6
s. 9:13 Or your obedient confession to
t. 9:13 Php 4:10
u. 9:14 Or will long for
