2 Corinthians 9 (NLT) (2024)

Footnotes

1. 9:1 Greek about the offering for God’s holy people.
2. 9:2 Greek in Achaia, the southern region of the Greek peninsula. Macedonia was in the northern region of Greece.
3. 9:7 See footnote on Prov 22:8.
4. 9:9 Ps 112:9.
5. 9:10 Greek righteousness.
6. 9:12 Greek of God’s holy people.
7. 9:15 Greek his gift.

9There is no need^(A) for me to write to you about this service^(B) to the Lord’s people.^{(C) 2}For I know your eagerness to help,^(D) and I have been boasting^(E) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year^(F) you in Achaia^(G) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. ³But I am sending the brothers^(H) in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.^{(I) 4}For if any Macedonians^(J) come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. ⁵So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers^(K) 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,^(L) not as one grudgingly given.^(M)

Generosity Encouraged

⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.^{(N) 7}Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,^(O) not reluctantly or under compulsion,^(P) for God loves a cheerful giver.^{(Q) 8}And God is able^(R) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,^(S) you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts^(T) to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”^[a](U)

¹⁰Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food^(V) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.^{(W) 11}You will be enriched^(X) in every way so that you can be generous^(Y) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.^(Z)

¹²This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^(AA) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^{(AB) 13}Because of the service^(AC) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^(AD) for the obedience that accompanies your confession^(AE) of the gospel of Christ,^(AF) and for your generosity^(AG) in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God^(AH) for his indescribable gift!^(AI)

Footnotes

1. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9

Cross references

1. 2 Corinthians 9:1 : 1Th 4:9
2. 2 Corinthians 9:1 : S Ac 24:17
3. 2 Corinthians 9:1 : S Ac 9:13
4. 2 Corinthians 9:2 : 2Co 8:11, 12, 19
5. 2 Corinthians 9:2 : 2Co 7:4, 14; 8:24
6. 2 Corinthians 9:2 : 2Co 8:10
7. 2 Corinthians 9:2 : S Ac 18:12
8. 2 Corinthians 9:3 : 2Co 8:23
9. 2 Corinthians 9:3 : 1Co 16:2
10. 2 Corinthians 9:4 : Ro 15:26
11. 2 Corinthians 9:5 : ver 3
12. 2 Corinthians 9:5 : Php 4:17
13. 2 Corinthians 9:5 : 2Co 12:17, 18
14. 2 Corinthians 9:6 : Pr 11:24, 25; 22:9; Gal 6:7, 9
15. 2 Corinthians 9:7 : Ex 25:2; 2Co 8:12
16. 2 Corinthians 9:7 : Dt 15:10
17. 2 Corinthians 9:7 : Ro 12:8
18. 2 Corinthians 9:8 : Eph 3:20
19. 2 Corinthians 9:8 : Php 4:19
20. 2 Corinthians 9:9 : Mal 3:10
21. 2 Corinthians 9:9 : Ps 112:9
22. 2 Corinthians 9:10 : Isa 55:10
23. 2 Corinthians 9:10 : Hos 10:12
24. 2 Corinthians 9:11 : 1Co 1:5
25. 2 Corinthians 9:11 : ver 5
26. 2 Corinthians 9:11 : 2Co 1:11; 4:15
27. 2 Corinthians 9:12 : 2Co 8:14
28. 2 Corinthians 9:12 : S 2Co 1:11
29. 2 Corinthians 9:13 : S 2Co 8:4
30. 2 Corinthians 9:13 : S Mt 9:8
31. 2 Corinthians 9:13 : S Heb 3:1
32. 2 Corinthians 9:13 : S 2Co 2:12
33. 2 Corinthians 9:13 : ver 5
34. 2 Corinthians 9:15 : S 2Co 2:14
35. 2 Corinthians 9:15 : Ro 5:15, 16