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2 Corinthians 9:3
ESV But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
NIV But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
NASB But I have sent the brothers, in order that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you will be prepared;
CSB But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter would not prove empty, and so that you would be ready just as I said.
NLT But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you.
KJV Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
NKJV Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready;

What does 2 Corinthians 9:3 mean?

It was Paul's boasting about the Corinthians' early enthusiasm for a collection to help believers in Jerusalem that motivated other churches to get involved, as well (2 Corinthians 9:2). Now, a year has passed. Those other churches have made their contributions, and the Corinthians have not. This may be because of tensions that have arisen between some of them and Paul. It might simply be a matter of distance and difficulty.

Whatever the cause, Paul is now, in a sense, forcing their hand. He is sending "the brothers" to make sure their contribution is ready when he arrives to receive it. The brothers include Titus, Paul's partner in ministry, and two representatives from those other churches that have already made their contributions.

Paul hopes that the Corinthians will really, truly prove to be ready to make their contribution as he has boasted they would be. Otherwise, his compliments on their behalf will prove to have been empty.
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