2 Coríntios 9

¹ ForHe wisely answers the suspicion which the Corinthians might conceive, as though the apostle in urging them so carefully was doubting of their good will. Therefore he witnesses that he does it not to teach them that they ought to help the saints, seeing that he had become surety for them to the Macedonians. But only to stir those up who were labouring by themselves, to the end that all things might both be in a better readiness, and also be more plentiful.as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

² For I knowe your readinesse of minde, whereof I boast my selfe of you vnto them of Macedonia, and say, that Achaia was prepared a yeere agoe, and your zeale hath prouoked many.

³ Nowe haue I sent the brethren, lest our reioycing ouer you shoulde bee in vaine in this behalfe, that yee (as I haue sayde) be readie:

⁴ Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this sameThe word which he uses signifies a mind so steady and established that it cannot be moved by any terror or fear.confident boasting.

⁵ Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not as [of]As from covetous men.covetousness.

⁶ Alms must be given neither grudgingly, nor with a loathful mind, or sparingly. And a generous and free alms is compared to a sowing which has a most plentiful harvest of most abundant blessing following it.But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

⁷ Every man according as heDetermines and appoints freely with himself.purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; notWith a sparing and grudging heart.grudgingly, or ofAgainst his will, not wanting to have evil spoken of him.necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

⁸ And God [is] able to makeAll the bountiful liberality of God.all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound toTo help others by all means possible, in doing them good in their needs.every good work:

⁹ (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forIs everlasting: now David speaks of a man that fears God, and loves his neighbour, who will always be able (he says) to give to others.ever.

¹⁰ Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase theThere is no inheritance as good to the godly as bountifulness is.fruits of your righteousness;)

¹¹ That on all partes yee may bee made rich vnto all liberalitie, which causeth through vs thanksgiuing vnto God.

¹² Another excellent and double fruit of liberality towards the saints is this, that it gives occasion to praise God, and that our faith also is by it made manifest.For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

¹³ Whiles by theBy this proof of your liberality in this helping of them.experiment of this ministration they glorify God for yourIn showing with one consent that you acknowledge that Gospel alone which you have willingly submitted yourselves to, declaring by this that you agree with the church of Jerusalem.professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal distribution unto them, and unto all [men];

¹⁴ And in their praier for you, to log after you greatly, for the aboundant grace of God in you.

¹⁵ Lest by this great commendation and praise the Corinthians should be puffed up, he concludes this exhortation with this exclamation.Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.