Study notes

2 Corinthians 9

Introducing 2 CorinthiansWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

8:1–9:5 Section

The believers in Macedonia were an example of giving freely to others. Paul called giving to others a grace. It’s based on the grace that Jesus showed. Jesus gave everything he had to help others.

Believers receive forgiveness, love and eternal life from Jesus. Because of this, they should show grace to others and give freely to them. The churches Paul had helped start were collecting an offering of money. It was for needy people in the church in Jerusalem. Paul, Titus and other workers would deliver it.

Paul wanted to make sure that the Corinthians had their money ready in time. This offering was a way for Gentile believers to take care of Jewish believers. It showed that God’s people are joined together as one.

9:1–5

Two reasons encourage the spirit of love in giving:

  1. to follow the example of the Macedonians, who were generous despite their poverty (9:2); and

  2. to avoid embarrassing Paul or themselves, as he had praised the Corinthians' generosity to the Macedonians (9:3–5).

To ensure the collection at Corinth is ready on time, Paul will send delegates (8:16–24) ahead to prepare the promised gift.

9:6

Paul uses farming to show how generosity pays off. A farmer who wants a big harvest must plant many seeds.

9:6–15 Section

Paul’s instructions about the offering teach what it means to give freely. Believers aren’t forced to give their money or their possessions to others in need. They give because they follow God’s example of giving freely. They give because they want to help people.

Believers give because they understand that everything they have is a gift from God. These are the same reasons that the Israelites gave a tenth of everything that they had. That was required in the Law of Moses.

Giving freely shows that believers trust God to provide what they need. They trust him for things like food that their bodies need. They trust him for things like love and grace that their spirits need. Believers also trust God for the ability to obey him.

Paul described good works like seeds that believers plant. He said that God provides this seed. This means that God gives believers the ability to give to others. God is in charge of what happens after believers do good to others.

The Lord’s people in Jerusalem faced very hard times. They didn’t have enough money or food. The gift of money from the Gentile churches would help them. The Jewish believers would thank God and praise him for the gift. They would pray for the Gentile believers who had shared with them.

9:7

God loves a cheerful giver: The spirit of giving is what matters. Giving cheerfully is different from giving reluctantly (literally out of sorrow) or due to pressure.

9:8–9

As it is written: The quote from Psalm 112:9 assures us that God, who meets all human needs, will reward generosity.

9:10–14

God would match the Corinthians' generosity (9:10–11). Their generosity would help Jewish Christians (9:12), honor God (9:13), and show believers in Jerusalem that their non-Jewish brothers and sisters were true believers (9:13). This would lead to Jewish believers praying for and caring about the non-Jewish believers (9:14). Paul imagined a united, worldwide Christian church made up of both Jewish and non-Jewish believers, all united in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:11–22). This unity would strongly show the Lord's work of bringing people together.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources