2 Corinthians 9:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.

NIV: And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

NASB: while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

CSB: And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

NLT: And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.

KJV: And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

NKJV: and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.

Paul is writing about what can be accomplished when Christians give generously to meet the needs of others. The benefits of this charity go far beyond simply providing food, shelter, and safety. It allows Christians to participate in God's work of providing for the poor, as well as to "harvest" thanksgiving to God from those who receive what is so badly needed.

The previous verse noted that generous giving by believers speaks loudly to those who receive the gift. It declares the givers' faith in Christ. It shows that Christ's love is real in them. In doing so, it builds a connection with Christians with whom they would otherwise have little in common.

In this passage, Paul is specifically talking about the connection between Gentile Christians and the suffering Jewish believers in Jerusalem. These Israelite Christians may have wondered about the validity of the relationship between God and the non-Jewish believers in other parts of the world. Generous support for the Jerusalem Christians will show Christ's love is real in the Gentile churches. It will build a connection between them. Paul says that those who receive the gift will long for the Corinthians and pray for them, because the evidence of God's grace will be obvious in their lives.

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.