BSB
2 Corinthians 9-10
2 Corinthians 9
1Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
2For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
3But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.
4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.
12For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
13Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.
14And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 10
1Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
2I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold as I expect toward those who presume that we live according to the flesh.
3For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.
4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
6And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete.
7You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does.
8For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
9I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you by my letters.
10For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”
11Such people should consider that what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present.
12We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
13We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you.
14We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.
15Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well,
16so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting in the work already done in another man’s territory.
17Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
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A Tenth 2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Abundance 2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Achaia: Benevolence of the Christians In 2 Corinthians 9:2
For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
Agriculture: Facts About 2 Corinthians 9:6
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
All Christians should be As Missionaries in Visiting and Relieving the Poor, the Sick 2 Corinthians 9:9
As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
Alms: Commandments and Practices Concerning 2 Corinthians 9:5–7
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly. / Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Alms: Giving: The Early Christians 2 Corinthians 9:1
Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
Anointing your Home 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Approval 2 Corinthians 10:18
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Arguments 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Armor: Figurative 2 Corinthians 10:4
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Asking for Money 2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Bad Thoughts 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Battlefield of the Mind 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Being Greedy 2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Being Insecure 2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
Being Obedient 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Being Selfish 2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Being Thankful 2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Beneficence: General Scriptures Concerning 2 Corinthians 9:1–15
Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you. / For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise. / But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.
Blessing: Spiritual, from God 2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Boasting: Spiritual 2 Corinthians 10:12–18
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance. / We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you. / We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.
Boredom 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Botany: Lily, Beauty of 2 Corinthians 9:6
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
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2 Corinthians 9:1-5 Verses 1-5
When we would have others do good, we must act toward them prudently and tenderly, and give them time. Christians should consider what is for the credit of their profession, and endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. The duty of ministering to the saints is so plain, that there would seem no need to exhort Christians to it; yet self-love contends so powerfully against the love of Christ, that it is often necessary to stir up their minds by way of remembrance.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Verses 6-15
Money bestowed in charity, may to the carnal mind seem thrown away, but when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, from which a valuable increase may be expected. It should be given carefully. Works of charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design. Due thought, as to our circumstances, and those we are about to relieve, will direct our gifts for charitable uses. Help should be given freely, be it more or less; not grudgingly, but cheerfully. While some scatter, and yet increase; others withhold more than is meet, and it tends to poverty. If we had more faith and love, we should waste less on ourselves, and sow more in hope of a plentiful increase. Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased? He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things. He can make us to have enough in all things; and to be content with what we have. God gives not only enough for ourselves, but that also wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and this should be as seed to be sown. We must show the reality of our subjection to the gospel, by works of charity. This will be for the credit of our profession, and to the praise and glory of God. Let us endeavour to copy the example of Christ, being unwearied in doing good, and deeming it more blessed to give than to receive. Blessed be God for the unspeakable gift of his grace, whereby he enables and inclines some of his people to bestow upon others, and others to be grateful for it; and blessed be his glorious name to all eternity, for Jesus Christ, that inestimable gift of his love, through whom this and every other good thing, pertaining to life and godliness, are freely given unto us, beyond all expression, measure, or bounds.
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 Verses 1-6
While others thought meanly, and spake scornfully of the apostle, he had low thoughts, and spake humbly of himself. We should be aware of our own infirmities, and think humbly of ourselves, even when men reproach us. The work of the ministry is a spiritual warfare with spiritual enemies, and for spiritual purposes. Outward force is not the method of the gospel, but strong persuasions, by the power of truth and the meekness of wisdom. Conscience is accountable to God only; and people must be persuaded to God and their duty, not driven by force. Thus the weapons of our warfare are very powerful; the evidence of truth is convincing. What opposition is made against the gospel, by the powers of sin and Satan in the hearts of men! But observe the conquest the word of God gains. The appointed means, however feeble they appear to some, will be mighty through God. And the preaching of the cross, by men of faith and prayer, has always been fatal to idolatry, impiety, and wickedness.
2 Corinthians 10:7-11 Verses 7-11
In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despised in the eyes of some, but this was a false rule to judge by. We must not think that none outward appearance, as if the want of such things proved a man not to be a real Christian, or an able, faithful minister of the lowly Saviour.
2 Corinthians 10:12-18 Verses 12-18
If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble. The apostle fixes a good rule for his conduct; namely, not to boast of things without his measure, which was the measure God had distributed to him. There is not a more fruitful source of error, than to judge of persons and opinions by our own prejudices. How common is it for persons to judge of their own religious character, by the opinions and maxims of the world around them! But how different is the rule of God's word! And of all flattery, self-flattery is the worst. Therefore, instead of praising ourselves, we should strive to approve ourselves to God. In a word, let us glory in the Lord our salvation, and in all other things only as evidences of his love, or means of promoting his glory. Instead of praising ourselves, or seeking the praise of men, let us desire that honour which cometh from God only.