2 Corinthians 9

1 Now about [concerning, regarding] the service [ministry, act of helping] to the saints [holy ones, set apart], there is no need [it is superfluous, excessive] for me [I, the apostle] to write [record, communicate] to you [directly, personally]. word study 2 For I know your eagerness [readiness of mind, willingness to help] to help, and I have been boasting [glorying, taking pride] to the Macedonians [those from the region of Macedonia] that since last year [the previous year, from a year ago] you in Achaia [the region of Achaia, a part of ancient Greece] were prepared [made ready, got ready] to give. And your zeal [strong feeling of enthusiasm, dedication] has stirred [provoked, motivated] most of them [a great number, many] to do likewise [in the same way, with similar eagerness]. word study 3 But I am sending [dispatching, as a messenger] the brothers [fellow believers, companions in faith] in order that our boasting [pride, confidence] about you in this matter [respect, aspect] should not prove [be found] empty [void, without substance], but that you will be prepared [made ready, equipped], just as [in the same way, according to] I said [declared, spoke]. word study 4 Otherwise, if any Macedonians [from the region of Macedonia] come with me and find you unprepared [lacking readiness], we—to say nothing of you—would be [deeply, utterly] ashamed [put to shame, disgraced] of having been so [completely, utterly] confident [in this matter, with assurance]. word study 5 So I thought it necessary [a vital requirement] to urge the brothers [fellow believers, spiritual siblings] to visit you beforehand and make arrangements [prepare in advance, get everything ready] for the bountiful [generous, abundant] gift you had promised [formerly announced, previously pledged]. This way, your gift will be prepared [made ready, arranged] generously [with a willing heart, voluntarily] and not begrudgingly [not as a result of greediness, not out of covetousness]. word study 6 Remember this [he who soweth, the one who plants]: Whoever sows [scatters seed, invests] sparingly [in a stingy or restrained way, with a small amount] will also reap [harvest, gather] sparingly [with a small yield, in limited measure], and whoever sows [invests, gives] generously [bountifully, with an open hand, in blessings] will also reap [gather, receive] generously [in abundance, with a full harvest]. word study 7 Each one [every individual, as he purposes] should give what he has decided [purposed, chosen] in his heart [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions] to give, not out of [from a sense of] regret [grief, sorrow] or compulsion [necessity, obligation]. For God [the one true deity] loves [has affection for, delights in] a cheerful [prompt, willing] giver [one who provides]. word study 8 And God [the supreme Deity, Creator] is able [powerful, having great strength] to make all [every, complete] grace [divine influence, favor] abound [to exceed, superabound] to you, so that in all [every, complete] things, at all [every] times, having [possessing, holding] all [every, complete] that you need [sufficiency, self-sufficiency], you will abound [to exceed, superabound] in every [all, complete] good [beneficial, righteous] work [labor, occupation]. word study 9 As it is written [in the Scriptures, according to God’s Word]: “He has scattered abroad [dispersed, given generously] His gifts [blessings, provisions] to the poor [needy, impoverished]; His righteousness [just and holy character, living according to God’s will] endures [remains, stays] forever [for all eternity, throughout every age].” word study 10 Now He who supplies [provides, ministers to] seed [offspring or descendants] to the sower and bread [food or nourishment] for food will supply [provide or furnish] and multiply [increase or abound] your store of seed [resources for sowing] and will increase [grow or enlarge] the harvest [fruits or produce] of your righteousness [living according to God’s will, being in right standing with Him]. word study 11 You will be enriched [made rich] in every way [toward all liberality, to all bountifulness] to be generous [with openness, in all simplicity] on every occasion, so that through us [because of our ministry, through our efforts] your giving [generosity, liberality] will produce [work out, cause] thanksgiving [gratitude, praise] to God [the one true deity]. word study 12 For this ministry [public service, spiritual work] of service [helping others] is not only [merely, alone] supplying [providing, filling up] the needs [deficiencies, lacks] of the saints [holy ones, set apart], but is also [in addition, furthermore] overflowing [abounding, exceeding] in many [numerous, abundant] expressions [acts, words] of thanksgiving [gratitude, praise] to God [the Supreme Being, Creator]. word study 13 Because of the proof [through the experiment, by the test] this ministry [service, work of helping others] provides, the saints [believers, holy ones] will glorify [praise, honor] God [the one true deity] for your obedient [voluntary, submissive] confession [acknowledgment, admission] of the gospel [good news, message of salvation] of Christ [the anointed, Messiah], and for the generosity [liberality, openness] of your contribution [participation, fellowship] to them and to all [every, everyone] the others. word study 14 And their prayers [with supplication, longing] for you will express [yearn, go out in love] their affection [fondness, deep desire] for you, because of the [exceeding, abundant] surpassing [excelling, beyond measure] grace [divine influence, graciousness] God [the one true deity] has given [bestowed, granted] you. word study 15 Thanks [praise and gratitude] be to God [the one true deity] for His [this] indescribable [beyond words] gift [a free and gracious present]! word study