Untitled Sermon (5)
9:6 Nowa (the point is)b this, the one-sowingc sparingly,d sparingly also will-reap,e and the one-sowing generously,f generously also will-reap.
LEXICON—a. δέ (LN 89.124): ‘now’ [Lns], ‘but’ [HNTC, LN; KJV, NJB], not explicit [AB, ICC2, NTC, WBC; CEV, NAB, NIV, NLT, NRSV, REB, TEV, TNT].
b. There is no lexical entry for the implied phrase ‘the point is’. The phrase τοῦτο δέ ‘now this’ is translated ‘now this’ [Lns], ‘the point is this’ [ICC2, NTC; NRSV], ‘I am saying this’ [AB], ‘let me say this much’ [NAB], ‘but this I say’ [KJV], ‘but, you know, this is true’ [HNTC], ‘to enforce the point’ [WBC], ‘remember’ [REB], ‘but remember’ [NJB], ‘remember this’ [NIV, NLT, TNT], ‘remember this saying’ [CEV], ‘remember that’ [REB].
c. pres. act. participle of σπείρω (LN 43.6) (BAGD 1.b.α. p 761): ‘to sow’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NAB, NIV, NJB, NRSV, REB, TNT], ‘to plant’ [NLT, TEV], not explicit [CEV].
d. φειδομένως (LN 59.61) (BAGD p. 854): ‘sparingly’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, REB, TNT], ‘sparsely’ [NJB], ‘in a limited manner’ [LN]. The phrase ‘the one sowing sparingly’ is translated ‘who plants few seeds’ [NLT, TEV]. The clause ‘the one sowing sparingly, sparingly also will reap’ is translated ‘a few seeds make a small harvest’ [CEV].
e. fut. act. indic. of θερίζω (LN 43.14) (BAGD 2.a. p 359): ‘to reap’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NAB, NIV, NJB, NRSV, REB, TNT], ‘to harvest’ [BAGD, LN]. The phrase ‘reap sparingly’ is translated ‘make a small harvest’ [CEV], ‘get/have a small crop’ [NLT, TEV].
f. εὑλογία (LN 59.56) (BAGD 5. p 323): ‘an abundance’ [LN]. The phrase ἐπʼ εὑλογίαις is literally ‘on (the basis) of blessings’ [AB, LN, Lns]. It is translated ‘generously’ [NTC, WBC; NIV, NJB, NLT], ‘bountifully’ [BAGD, HNTC, ICC2; KJV, NAB, NRSV, REB], ‘liberally’ [AB], ‘plentifully’ [TNT]. The phrase ‘generously also will reap’ is translated ‘will have a large crop’ [TEV], ‘make a big harvest’ [CEV]. See this word also at 9:5.
9:7 Each (should give)a as he-has-previously-decidedb in (his) heart,c
LEXICON—a. There is no lexical entry for the implied phrase ‘should give’. This phrase is left as an ellipsis by Lns and KJV. It is translated ‘let each person contribute’ [AB], ‘let each man/one give’ [HNTC, NTC, WBC], ‘each person/man/one should give’ [NIV, NJB, REB], ‘each should do’ [ICC2], ‘each of you must give’ [NRSV], ‘everyone must give’ [NAB], ‘you should each give’ [TEV], ‘each of you (must make up your own mind) about how much to give’ [CEV, NLT, TNT].
b. perf. mid. indic. of προαιρέω (LN 30.84) (BAGD 2. p 702): ‘to decide beforehand’ [LN], ‘to decide’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, NTC, WBC; NAB, NIV, NJB, REB, TEV], ‘to determine’ [BAGD], ‘to make up one’s mind’ [BAGD, ICC2; CEV, NLT, NRSV, TNT], ‘to choose in advance’ [Lns], ‘to purpose’ [KJV].
c. καρδία (LN 26.3) (BAGD 1.b.γ. p 403): ‘heart’ [HNTC, LN, Lns; KJV, NIV], ‘mind’ [BAGD, ICC2, NTC, WBC; CEV, NLT, NRSV, TNT], not explicit [AB; TEV]. The phrase ‘in his heart’ is translated ‘inwardly’ [NAB], ‘on his own initiative’ [NJB], ‘for himself’ [REB].
not out-of griefa or out-of compulsion;b for God lovesc a cheerfuld giver.
LEXICON—a. λύπη (LN 25.272) (BAGD p. 482): ‘grief’ [BAGD, Lns], ‘regret’ [LN], ‘unhappiness, sadness’ [LN], ‘sorrow’ [BAGD]. The phrase ἐκ λύπης ‘out of grief’ is translated ‘reluctantly’ [BAGD, NTC; NIV, NJB, NLT, NRSV], ‘grudgingly’ [AB; KJV], ‘regretfully’ [ICC2, WBC], ‘with regret’ [TEV, TNT], ‘sadly’ [NAB], ‘as if it hurt him’ [HNTC], ‘don’t feel sorry (that you must give)’ [CEV], ‘there should be no reluctance’ [REB]. See this word also at 2:1, 7; 7:10.
b. ἀνάγκη (LN 71.30) (BAGD 1. p 52): ‘compulsion’ [AB, BAGD, ICC2, Lns; NIV, NJB, REB], ‘necessity’ [BAGD, HNTC, NTC; KJV], ‘obligation’ [LN], ‘duty’ [TEV], ‘constraint’ [WBC]. The phrase ‘not out of compulsion’ is translated ‘freely’ [TNT], ‘not grudgingly’ [NAB], ‘not out of response to pressure’ [NLT], ‘don’t feel that you are forced (to give)’ [CEV]. See this word also at 6:4.
c. pres. act. indic. of ἀγαπάω (LN 25.104) (BAGD 1.b.α. p 4): ‘to love’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, Lns, NTC, WBC; all versions], ‘to take pleasure in’ [LN].
d. ἱλαρός (LN 25.117) (BAGD p. 375): ‘cheerful’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NAB, NIV, NJB, NRSV, REB, TNT]. The phrase ‘cheerful giver’ is translated ‘people who love to give’ [CEV], ‘person who gives cheerfully’ [NLT], ‘one who gives gladly’ [TEV].
QUESTION—What does the verb αγαπάω ‘love’ mean in this context?
Here ‘God loves’ means ‘God approves of’ [AB, EBC, HNTC, NAC, NIC2, TH], ‘God values’ [AB, HNTC, TH], or ‘God delights in’ [Ho, TNTC]. God loves a cheerful giver because he is a cheerful giver himself [NAC, TNTC]. This is a reference to Prov. 22:8a LXX (not included in the Heb text) which says ‘God blesses a cheerful and giving man’ [AB, NIC1, NTC]. Paul may have been quoting a variant text and used ‘loves’ instead of ‘blesses’ [NIC1], or he may have used ‘loves’ as a more all-encompassing word than ‘blesses’, which refers only to an action [NTC].
9:8 Anda God is-ableb (to-cause)-to-aboundc to you alld gracee
LEXICON—a. δέ (LN 89.94): ‘and’ [AB, ICC2, LN; KJV, NIV, NLT, NRSV, REB, TEV], ‘moreover’ [Lns], ‘for’ [NTC], not explicit [HNTC, WBC; CEV, NAB, NJB, TNT].
b. pres. act. indic. of δυνατέω (LN 74.5) (BAGD 2. p 208): ‘to be able to’ [BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NIV, NRSV, TEV, TNT], ‘to be perfectly able’ [NJB], ‘to have the power’ [AB], ‘can’ [LN; CEV, NAB]. The phrase δυνατεῖ δὲ ὁ θεός ‘God is able’ is translated ‘it is in God’s power’ [REB], ‘God will (generously provide)’ [NLT].
c. aorist act. infin. of περισσεύω (LN 59.54) (BAGD 1.b.α. p 651): ‘to abound’ [BAGD], ‘to make abound’ [HNTC, Lns, NTC; KJV, NIV], ‘to make to overflow’ [WBC], ‘to cause to be abundant’ [LN]. The verb ‘to abound’ is translated ‘abundantly’ [ICC2]. The phrase ‘to cause to abound to you all grace’ is translated ‘bless you with everything you need’ [CEV], ‘generously provide all you need’ [NLT], ‘to multiply his favors’ [NAB], ‘to enrich you with every grace’ [NJB], ‘to provide every benefit/blessing in abundance’ [AB; NRSV], ‘to provide all good gifts in abundance’ [REB], ‘to give you more than you need’ [TEV; similarly TNT]. See this word also at 1:5; 3:9; 4:15; 8:2, 7.
d. πάς (LN 59.23): ‘all’ [HNTC, ICC2, LN, NTC, WBC; KJV, NIV, NLT, REB, TNT], ‘every’ [AB, Lns; NJB, NRSV], not explicit [CEV, NAB, TEV]. The adjective πάς ‘all’ appears in the next verse in the phrases ‘all things’, ‘all sufficiency’, and ‘every good work’, and in 9:11 in the phrases ‘in everything’ and ‘all generosity’.
e. χάρις (LN 88.66) (BAGD 4.a. p 878): ‘grace’ [BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NIV, NJB], ‘benefit’ [AB], ‘favors’ [NAB], ‘blessing’ [NRSV], ‘good gifts’ [REB]. The phrase ‘all grace’ is translated ‘all/everything you need’ [CEV, NLT], ‘all you need and more’ [TNT], ‘more than you need’ [TEV]. See this word also at 1:2, 12; 8:1, 4, 6, 9, 16, 19.
QUESTION—What area of meaning is intended by χάρις ‘grace’?
In this context it is material benefit or blessing [AB, Ho, NIC2, SP, TG, TH, TNTC]. It is God’s generosity, presumably expressed in material blessings [HNTC]. It is all spiritual and material benefits and gifts [EBC, EGT, NTC]. It means that God gives material blessings and the spiritual motivation to share them [ICC1, ICC2, NAC]. It is God’s gracious favor [WBC]. It is grace in the broadest sense of an active attribute of God, including the gifts of grace [Lns]. It is the enabling power that comes from God’s love [NIC1].
so-thata alwaysb having all sufficiencyc in all-thingsd you-may-abounde in everyf good work,g
LEXICON—a. ἵνα (LN 89.49): ‘so that’ [HNTC, ICC2, LN, NTC, WBC; NAB, NIV, NJB, NRSV, REB, TEV, TNT], ‘in order that’ [LN], ‘that’ [AB, LN; KJV]. The relation of result indicated by the phrase ‘so that always having’ is translated ‘you will always have’ [CEV, NLT].
b. πάντοτε (LN 67.88): ‘always’ [ICC2, LN, NTC; CEV, KJV, NAB, NRSV, REB, TEV, TNT], ‘at all times’ [HNTC, LN, WBC; NIV, NJB, NLT], ‘ever’ [AB, Lns]. This word is a cognate of the adjective πάς (see comment above). There is a play on words in the phrase ἐν παντὶ πάντοτε πᾶσαν (literally ‘in all always all’) focusing on the superlative ‘all’.
c. αὑτάρκεια (LN 75.6) (BAGD 1. p 122): ‘sufficiency’ [BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns; KJV], ‘what is needed’ [AB, LN, WBC; CEV, NIV, NLT, REB, TEV, TNT], ‘enough’ [BAGD, NTC; NAB, NJB, NRSV].
d. πάς: ‘everything’ [AB, Lns, NTC; CEV, NAB, NLT, NRSV], ‘all things’ [WBC; KJV, NIV], ‘all ways’ [HNTC], ‘in every respect’ [ICC2], ‘every need’ [REB], ‘every conceivable need’ [NJB], ‘all (you need)’ [TEV, TNT].
e. pres. act. subj. of περισσεύω: ‘to abound’ [AB, Lns, NTC; KJV, NIV], ‘to overflow’ [WBC; NJB], ‘to be prolific’ [ICC2], ‘to share abundantly’ [NRSV], ‘do all kinds of (good things)’ [CEV], ‘to help (every good work)’ [TNT], not explicit [HNTC; NAB, NLT, REB, TEV]. See this word also at 1:5; 3:9; 4:15; 8:2, 7.
f. πάς: ‘every’ [AB, ICC2, Lns, NTC; KJV, NIV, NRSV, REB, TEV, TNT], ‘every kind of’ [WBC], ‘all kinds of’ [HNTC; CEV, NJB], not explicit [NAB, NLT].
g. ἒργον (LN 42.42) (BAGD 1.c.β. p 308): ‘work’ [AB, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NIV, NJB, NRSV, TNT], ‘works’ [NAB], ‘deed’ [BAGD], ‘cause’ [REB, TEV]. The phrase ἒργον ἀγαθόν ‘good work’ is translated ‘good things for others’ [CEV], ‘to share with others’ [NLT].
9:9 as it-is-written, He-scattered-abroad,a he-gaveb to the poor,c his righteousnessd endurese forever.
LEXICON—a. aorist act. indic. of σκορπίζω (LN 57.95) (BAGD 2. p 757): ‘to scatter abroad’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2; NAB, NIV, NRSV], ‘to scatter widely’ [WBC], ‘to scatter out’ [Lns], ‘to scatter’ [NTC], ‘to disperse abroad’ [KJV], ‘to distribute generously’ [LN], ‘to distribute’ [BAGD], ‘to distribute freely’ [TNT]. The verb εσκόρπισεν ‘he scattered abroad’ is conflated with the phrase ἒδωκεν τοῖς πένησιν ‘he gave to the poor’ and translated ‘he has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor’ [NIV], ‘God freely gives his gifts to the poor’ [CEV], ‘to the needy he gave without stint’ [NJB], ‘he lavishes his gifts on the needy’ [REB], ‘he gives generously to the needy’ [TEV], ‘godly people give generously to the poor’ [NLT]. This verb is translated as past tense [AB, HNTC, ICC2, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NAB, NIV, NJB, TNT]; as present tense [CEV, NLT, NRSV, REB, TEV]. The habitual actions represented in axioms and proverbs can be represented in Greek by past tense verbs [TH].
b. aorist act. indic. of δίδωμι (LN 57.71): ‘to give’ [AB, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NAB, NJB, NRSV, TNT]. This verb is also translated as a noun: ‘gifts’ [NIV, REB]. The aorist tense of this verb is translated as a perfect tense: ‘he has given’ [AB, NTC, WBC; KJV, TNT], ‘he has scattered his gifts’ [NIV]; as a present tense: ‘he gives’ [CEV, NRSV, TEV], ‘(they) give’ [NLT], ‘he lavishes gifts’ [REB].
c. πένης (LN 57.50) (BAGD p. 642): ‘poor’ [BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, NTC, WBC; CEV, KJV, NAB, NIV, NLT, NRSV, TNT], ‘poor laborers’ [Lns], ‘needy’ [AB, BAGD, LN; NJB, REB, TEV].
d. δικαιοσύνη (LN 88.13, 34.46) (BAGD 2.a. p 196): ‘righteousness’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NIV, NRSV], ‘justice’ [NAB], ‘uprightness’ [NJB], ‘good deeds’ [NLT], ‘benevolence’ [REB], ‘kindness’ [TEV], ‘generosity’ [TNT], ‘charitableness’ [BAGD]. The phrase ‘his righteousness endures forever’ is translated ‘(God) always does what is right’ [CEV]. See this word also at 3:9; 5:21.
e. pres. act. indic. of μένω (LN 13.89) (BAGD 1.c.β. p 504): ‘to endure’ [AB, NTC, WBC; NAB, NIV, NRSV], ‘to remain’ [BAGD, LN, Lns; KJV], ‘to last’ [BAGD; REB, TEV, TNT], ‘to abide’ [HNTC], ‘to last’ [ICC2], ‘to continue’ [BAGD, LN], ‘to stand firm’ [NJB], ‘to continue to exist’ [LN]. The phrase ‘his righteousness endures forever’ is translated ‘their good deeds will never be forgotten’ [NLT], ‘(God) always does right’ [CEV].
QUESTION—Whom does Paul intend as the subject of this statement quoted from Ps 112:9?
1. The subject of the statement is the righteous person [AB, HNTC, Ho, ICC1, ICC2, NCBC, NIC1, NTC, SP, TG, TH, WBC; NLT].
2. The subject of the statement is God himself [NAC, NIC2; CEV].
QUESTION—What is the righteousness of which Paul speaks?
1. In this context the ‘righteousness’ is their charitable giving [AB, BAGD, EGT, Lns, NCBC, NTC, TH, TNTC, WBC]. It is a general virtue that is shown in charitable giving [Ho]. This righteousness is a token or expression of a right relation to God through forensic righteousness [WBC]. The man who obeys God’s will in giving will maintain his justified relation with God [HNTC]. Paul is saying that the righteous acts of the righteous person continue throughout his life [ICC2].
2. The righteousness is God’s covenant loyalty and faithfulness to his people [NIC2]. God is always gracious and merciful [NAC]. Although he is speaking of the pious man, God’s righteousness, in which their charitable gifts are a participation, cannot be excluded [AB].
3. The ‘righteousness’ is the forensic justification imputed by God [Lns].
QUESTION—In what way does the righteousness endure forever?
His benevolent acts will never be forgotten [EBC, SP]. God remembers the generous man’s righteous acts [TG]. His goodness will always be remembered and rewarded by God, both now and hereafter [ICC1]. God establishes the man’s righteousness forever [TNTC]. The effect as well as the reward of righteous acts are lasting [NCBC]. The righteous person will always have the means to be benevolent [Ho]. Their charitable acts are a participation in God’s righteousness, which endures forever [AB].
9:10 Nowa the one-who-suppliesb seedc to the-one-sowingd and breade for foodf
LEXICON—a. δέ: ‘now’ [NTC; KJV, NIV, NJB, REB], ‘and’ [AB, ICC2, Lns; TEV], ‘for’ [NLT], not explicit [HNTC, WBC; CEV, NAB, NRSV, TNT].
b. pres. act. participle of ἐπιχορηγέω (LN 35.31) (BAGD p. 883): ‘to supply’ [BAGD, LN; NAB, NIV, NRSV, TEV], ‘to provide’ [BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, NTC, WBC; NJB, REB, TNT], ‘to furnish’ [Lns], ‘to give’ [CEV, NLT], ‘to minister’ [KJV].
c. σπόρος (LN 3.35) (BAGD p. 763): ‘seed’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; all versions].
d. pres. act. participle of σπείρω (LN 43.6) (BAGD 1.a.α. p 761): ‘to sow’ [BAGD, LN]. This participle is translated as a substantive: ‘the sower’ [AB, HNTC, ICC2, NTC, WBC; KJV, NAB, NIV, NJB, NRSV, TEV, TNT], ‘farmer’ [CEV, NLT], ‘the one sowing’ [Lns], ‘sowing’ [REB].
e. ἄρτος (LN 5.1) (BAGD 1.a. p 110): ‘bread’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, Lns, NTC, WBC; all versions except CEV, NJB], not explicit [CEV, NJB].
f. βρῶσις (LN 5.1, 23.3) (BAGD 1. p 148): ‘food’ [AB, ICC2, LN (5.1), WBC; CEV, KJV, NIV, NRSV, REB], ‘food to eat’ [NJB], ‘(for) eating’ [BAGD, HNTC, LN (23.3), Lns; TNT], ‘(the) eater’ [NTC; NAB], ‘to eat’ [NLT, TEV].
will-supplya and will-multiplyb your seed and will-increasec the harvestd of your righteousness;e
TEXT—Instead of πληθυνεῖ καὶ αὑξήσει ‘will multiply … and will increase’ in the future indicative, many manuscripts have πληθύναι καὶ αὑξήσαι ‘may he multiply and increase’ in the optative, which indicates a hope or wish. GNT does not mention this alternative. Only KJV adopts the optative reading.
LEXICON—a. fut. act. indic. of χορηγέω: ‘supply’ [AB, HNTC, ICC2; NIV, NRSV, TEV], ‘furnish’ [Lns], ‘provide’ [NTC, WBC; NAB, NJB, REB, TNT], ‘give’ [NLT], not explicit [CEV, KJV].
b. fut. act. indic. of πληθύνω (LN 59.69) (BAGD 1.a. p 669): ‘to multiply’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC; KJV, NAB, NRSV, REB], ‘to increase’ [BAGD, LN, WBC; CEV, NIV], ‘to make it grow’ [TEV, TNT]. The two verbs ‘supply’ and ‘multiply’ are conflated and translated as one action: ‘increase’ [CEV]. The phrase χορηγήσει καὶ πληθυνεῖ το͂ν σπόρον ὑμῶν ‘will supply and will multiply your seed’ is translated ‘will provide you with ample store of seed for sowing’ [NJB], ‘he will give you many opportunities to do good’ [NLT].
c. fut. act. indic. of αὑξάνω (LN 59.63) (BAGD 1. p 121): ‘to increase’ [AB, BAGD, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC; KJV, NAB, NRSV, TNT], ‘to cause to increase’ [LN], ‘to make or cause to grow’ [BAGD, HNTC], ‘to augment’ [WBC], ‘to enlarge’ [NIV], ‘to make bigger’ [NJB], ‘to swell’ [REB]. The phrase ‘increase the harvest of your righteousness’ is translated ‘so that you can give even more to those in need’ [CEV], ‘produce a great harvest of generosity in you’ [NLT], ‘produce a rich harvest from your generosity’ [TEV].
d. γένημα (LN 13.49) (BAGD p. 155): ‘harvest’ [BAGD, NTC, WBC; NIV, NJB, NLT, NRSV, REB, TEV, TNT], ‘product’ [BAGD, LN], ‘yield’ [AB, BAGD, LN; NAB], ‘fruits’ [BAGD, HNTC, Lns; KJV], ‘products’ [ICC2], not explicit [CEV].
e. δικαιοσύνη: ‘righteousness’ [AB HNTC, ICC2, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NIV, NRSV], ‘uprightness’ [NJB], ‘generosity’ [NLT, TEV, TNT], ‘benevolence’ [REB], not explicit [CEV]. The genitive phrase τὰ γενήματα τῆς δικαιοσύνης ὑμῶν ‘the harvest of your righteousness’ is translated ‘your generous yield’ [NAB].
QUESTION—What is meant by the genitive phrase τὰ γενήματα τῆς δικαιοσύνης ὑμῶν ‘the harvest of your righteousness’?
1. Paul is speaking of the ‘harvest’ or result that comes as a consequence of righteousness [AB, EBC, HNTC, Ho, ICC1, ICC2, NAC, NCBC, NIC1, NIC2, NTC, TG, TH, TNTC; CEV, TEV].
1:1 The righteousness is the Corinthians’ giving, and the harvest that results from it is greater blessing for themselves [ICC2, NCBC, NIC1, NTC].
1:2 The righteousness is the Corinthians’ giving, and the harvest that results from it is greater bounty provided by God so that they can give more to others [AB, EBC, Ho, NAC; CEV]. The result of their giving is a large harvest of good things for others [TG].
1:3 The righteousness is the Corinthians’ giving, and the harvest that results from it is greater unity, love, and thanksgiving [TNTC].
1:4 The righteousness is God’s justifying action, and the harvest or fruit it produces is the liberality of the Corinthians [NIC2].
2. It is epexegetical: the harvest is their righteousness [Lns; NLT, REB]. Paul is saying that the spiritual fruit of the godly life is righteousness [Lns]. He is saying that the harvest is the generosity of the Corinthians [NLT, REB].
9:11 in everythinga being-enrichedb for all generosity,c which producesd thanksgivinge to God throughf us;
LEXICON—a. πᾶς: ‘everything’ [Lns; KJV], ‘every way’ [AB, HNTC, ICC2, NTC, WBC; CEV, NAB, NIV, NJB, NRSV, TNT], not explicit [NLT]. The phrase ἐν παντί is translated ‘abundantly’ [TNT]. The phrase ἐν παντὶ πλουτιζόμενοι εἰς πᾶσαν ἁπλότητα ‘in everything enriched for all generosity’ is translated ‘always rich enough to be generous’ [REB], ‘always rich enough to be generous at all times’ [TEV].
b. pres. pass. participle of πλουτίζω (LN 57.29) (BAGD 2. p 674): ‘to be enriched’ [AB, HNTC, LN, Lns; KJV, NAB, NLT, NRSV], ‘to be made rich’ [BAGD, LN, NTC, WBC; NIV, TEV], ‘to be made abundantly rich’ [TNT], ‘to be rich enough’ [NJB, REB], ‘to be in process of enrichment’ [ICC2], ‘to be blessed’ [CEV]. See this word also at 6:10.
c. ἁπλότης (LN 57.106) (BAGD 2. p 86): ‘generosity’ [AB, BAGD, ICC2, LN, NTC; NJB, NRSV], ‘liberality’ [BAGD, LN; NAB], ‘bountifulness’ [KJV], ‘integrity’ [HNTC], ‘single-mindedness’ [Lns]. The phrase εἰς πᾶσαν ἁπλότητα ‘for all generosity’ is translated ‘so that you can be always generous’ [WBC], ‘so that you can be generous on every occasion’ [NIV], ‘be able to keep on being generous’ [CEV], ‘so that you can give even more generously’ [NLT], ‘always be rich enough to generous’ [REB], ‘rich enough to be generous at all times’ [TEV], ‘so that you may be generous in every way’ [TNT]. See this word also at 1:12; 8:2.
d. pres. mid. or pass. (deponent = act.) indic. of κατεργάζομαι (LN 13.7) (BAGD 2. p 421): ‘to produce’ [BAGD, HNTC, NTC; NRSV], ‘to bring about’ [AB, BAGD, ICC2, LN], ‘to work out’ [Lns], ‘to yield’ [WBC], ‘to result in’ [LN; NAB, NIV], ‘to issue in’ [REB], ‘to cause’ [KJV], ‘to make’ [NJB, TNT], not explicit [CEV, NLT, TEV]. See this word also at 4:17; 5:5; 7:10.
e. εὑχαριστία (LN 33.349) (BAGD 2. p 328): ‘thanksgiving’ [AB, BAGD, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NIV, NLT, NRSV, REB], ‘thanks’ [NAB]. This noun is also translated as a verb: ‘to thank’ [CEV, NJB, TEV]; as an adjective: ‘thankful’ [TNT]. See this word also at 4:15.
f. διά with genitive object (LN 90.4): ‘through’ [AB, HNTC, ICC2, LN, Lns, NTC, WBC; KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, REB], ‘by’ [LN]. The phrase διʼ ἡμῶν ‘through us’ is translated ‘working through us’ [HNTC], ‘through our agency’ [ICC2], ‘through our action’ [REB], ‘for what we have done’ [NJB, TNT], ‘when we deliver your gift’ [CEV], ‘when we take your gifts to those who need them’ [NLT], ‘your gifts which they receive from us’ [TEV].
QUESTION—Does the use of the present passive participle πλουτιζόμενοι indicate that the enriching is a present condition or a future result?
1. It indicates a future result [Ho, ICC1, Lns, NAC, NIC2, SP, TG, TH, TNTC, WBC; CEV, NIV, NJB, NLT, NRSV, REB, TEV, TNT]: you will be enriched. It is something that is being fulfilled and will be fulfilled [ICC2]. Paul uses a present tense as if it were already so because he is so confident that it will be so [AB, ICC2].
2. It is a true present tense and indicates something that is already happening [HNTC, NTC; NAB]: you are being enriched.
DISCOURSE UNIT: 9:12–15 [EBC, NTC]. The topic is the offering of thanks to God [EBC], surpassing grace [NTC].