2 Corinthians 9

Paul had been talking in Chapter 8 about the Corinthians’ readiness to give to the believers in Jerusalem, and he continues this in Chapter 9. In 2 Cor. 8:24 he talked about giving proof of their love through their gift, because love is an ACTION.

Read 9:1-5

(Paul being superfluous!)

In chapter 8, Paul had boasted about the Macedonians in order to encourage the Corinthians to give. He had alluded to his boasting about the Corinthians in 7:14 and 8:24, and in 9:2, he tells us the results of his boasting. It had caused the Macedonians to want to give. Paul was appealing to this competition between them on both sides!

In verse 3, Paul again mentions the brothers (messengers of 8:23) that he is sending, both to encourage the giving and to ensure that all is handled honestly and properly. And he wants the Corinthians’ gift to be a willing gift, not something given grudgingly, or in a hurried, disorderly fashion. Paul is planning to go to Corinth after Titus and the others, and it is possible that some other Macedonians will accompany him. Paul is also hoping that the Macedonians will bear witness to his authority, and that their presence will motivate the Corinthians to get their affairs in order before he comes.

What is an exaction?

Read 9:6-9

He reminds them of something they already knew (Prov. 11:24):

1 & 2 Corinthians God Prizes Cheerful Givers / 9:1–15

Those who are like the foolish farmer who sowed sparingly—those who refuse to trust God with their future financial security—will inevitably lose out on God’s rich blessings. Those who sow generously will invest in an eternal harvest that will exceed their expectations.

Do we see this concept used in churches today in unscriptural ways?

Yet each person must give cheerfully. Our attitude in giving is more important than the amount of the gift. We shouldn’t give because we feel it’s expected of us, but because we remember that we are giving to God out of a grateful heart for what he has given us.

Verse 8 says what? That God. The psalm is about a righteous man, who fears God and delights in his law. One of his characteristics is that he gives to the poor, which relates directly to this gift that is being collected for the poor in Jerusalem.

Verse 9 is from Psalm 112:9. The psalm is about a righteous man, who fear God and delights in his law. One of his characteristics is that he gives to the poor, which relates directly to this gift that is being collected for the poor in Jerusalem.

Read 9:10-15