2 Corinthians 9

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 Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:1) in Macedonia in 55–56 CE.[1]

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.
BookSecond Epistle to the Corinthians
CategoryPauline epistles
Christian Bible partNew Testament
Order in the Christian part8

This chapter continues "the topic of generous giving" [2] 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.[3] 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.[4] The Pulpit Commentary rejects this suggestion.[5]

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 15 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Old Testament references

Verse 7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.[7]
  • "not reluctantly or under compulsion" (NKJV: "not grudgingly or of necessity"): that is "of his own will and free choice", from one's very heart; not as directed and forced by others.[8]
  • "For God loves a cheerful giver": The Jewish phrase "with a cheerful countenance", or elsewhere "with a cheerful heart" is from the quotation: "He that doth the commandment, i.e. alms, let him do it "with a cheerful heart"."[8]

Proverbs 22:8 in Septuagint has "God blesses a cheerful man, and a giver", which may be what Paul refers to.[8]

Verse 9
As it is written:
"He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor;
His righteousness remains forever."[9]

Citing Psalm 112:9.[10]

Verse 15
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift![11]

Paul knew that all the magnificent promises of God were guaranteed through the perfect sacrifice of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:20). Thus, that "indescribable free gift" would include all the goodness and loyal love that God would extend to mankind through Jesus. Indeed, that gift is so awe-inspiring that it cannot be fully described in human terms.[12]

See also

References
  1. MacDonald 2007, p. 1134.
  2. Buls, H. H., Buls' Notes: 2 Corinthians 8:1–9; 13–14, accessed 5 September 2017
  3. Kennedy, J. H., Are the two epistles in 2 Corinthians?, The Expositor, Series 5, Volume 6.3, September 1897
  4. Jerusalem Bible, footnote a on 2 Corinthians 9, page 317
  5. Pulpit Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9, accessed September 6, 2017
  6. Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Book IV and V: Psalms XC-CL. Cambridge: At the University Press. p. 840. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  7. 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV
  8. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, 2 Corinthians 9:7
  9. 2 Corinthians 9:9 MEV
  10. Note [a] on 2 Corinthians 9:9 in MEV
  11. 2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV
  12. Be Compelled by God's "Indescribable Free Gift" - Watchtower Study, January 2016.

Sources
  • MacDonald, Margaret (2007). "66. 2 Corinthians". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 1134–1151. ISBN 978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
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