2 Corinthians 9:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

NIV: You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

NASB: you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

CSB: You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

NLT: Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

KJV: Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

NKJV: while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

Here in these verses, Paul is answering an unspoken question: Why should Christians willingly and cheerfully give money, or time, or energy, or effort to meet the needs of others? If giving is not mandated, and percentages are not required of a believer, then what's the primary motivation for our gifts?

This chapter has established that God is ultimately the one who provides for those in need (2 Corinthians 9:10). The Creator provides both the seed and the bread. He distributes freely what is needed to the poor.

A Christian's willingness to give allows the believer to participate in what God is doing. It is about more than simply getting people fed. It is also about increasing God's righteousness on earth—bringing more thankfulness to Him. Charitable Christians have the privileged opportunity to participate in God's work simply by generous giving.

Paul adds here that God will enrich those believers who give generously. This is so they may continue to give, to meet the needs of others even more generously. From this perspective, wealth is not a reward from God for generous giving. We are not meant to give so that we will become rich. Any increase in resources comes with the expectation from God that it will be given away again and again to meet the needs of others.

Second Corinthians 9:6–15 contains Paul's explanation of benefits and opportunities tied to generous giving. The key point is that godly giving is a Christlike act of grace. God does not intend giving to be done as an obligation, or under a cloud of legalism. Rather, it should be inspired and driven by a willing and cheerful heart. Giving is an opportunity for believers to participate with God in meeting the needs of the poor. God increases the ability of believers who give generously to give even more. This results in increasing His righteousness on earth, as well as in causing thankfulness to Him to overflow. He will be glorified by those who receive the gift and pray for those who give.

Paul continues to urge the Corinthians to follow through on their commitment. They had agreed to contribute to a collection for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. They should give willingly, even cheerfully, according to what they had agreed earlier. Not only will they participate with God in meeting the physical needs of others, they will contribute to an overflowing thankfulness to God. They will build a connection with their suffering siblings in Christ that will also bring glory to God. This chapter points out that God expects Christian giving to be faith-based, voluntary, and cheerful—not legalistic, oppressive, or mandatory.

Second Corinthians chapter 9 continues an appeal begun earlier in the letter. Paul urges the Corinthians to participate in the gift to the Jerusalem Christians. Paul is concerned their earlier enthusiasm might have waned. Everyone should give what he or she previously decided to give and do so willingly and cheerfully. God makes those who give generously abound so that they will be able to give even more. The result goes beyond meeting physical needs to increasing God's righteousness on earth, causing thankfulness to Him to overflow, and bringing glory to Him as connections are forged between the givers and those whose needs are met. After this, Paul will return to a defense of his spiritual legitimacy.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.