2 Corinthians 9

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 15 verses. Textual witnesses Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are: • Papyrus 46 (~AD 200) • Codex Vaticanus (325–350) • Codex Sinaiticus (330–360) • Codex Alexandrinus (400–440) • Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (~450) • Codex Freerianus (~450; extant verses 1,7–8,15) • Codex Claromontanus (~550). Old Testament references • 2 Corinthians 9:7: (Septuagint only) • 2 Corinthians 9:9: Psalm . ==Verse 2==

:... I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. Achaia was the region within which Corinth was located. The change of wording from "Corinth" to "Achaia" is "somewhat surprising", but it is consistent with the wording in 2 Corinthians 1, where the letter is addressed to "the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia". ==Verses 6-7==

:6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Paul provides "an assurance grounded in Scripture and partly cited from it, that as we sow, so shall we reap". • "To sow bountifully" is literally "to sow with blessings": the spirit of the giver must encompass giving alms with blessings, such that the second reference to "bountiful" blessings simply indicates the same giving in return. ==Verse 9==

:As it is written: :"He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; ::His righteousness remains forever." Citing . == Verse 15 ==

:Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! Paul knew that all the magnificent promises of God were guaranteed through the perfect sacrifice of Christ (cf. ). Thus, that "indescribable free gift" would include all the goodness and loyal love that God would extend to mankind through Jesus. Indeed, that gift is so awe-inspiring that it cannot be fully described in human terms. ==See also==