BE READY
Key verse: 5b
NIV
9 There is no need(A) for me to write to you about this service(B) to the Lord’s people.(C) 2 For I know your eagerness to help,(D) and I have been boasting(E) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year(F) you in Achaia(G) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers(H) 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.(I) 4 For if any Macedonians(J) come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers(K) to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift,(L) not as one grudgingly given.(M)
Cross references
- 2 Corinthians 9:1 : 1Th 4:9
- 2 Corinthians 9:1 : S Ac 24:17
- 2 Corinthians 9:1 : S Ac 9:13
- 2 Corinthians 9:2 : 2Co 8:11, 12, 19
- 2 Corinthians 9:2 : 2Co 7:4, 14; 8:24
- 2 Corinthians 9:2 : 2Co 8:10
- 2 Corinthians 9:2 : S Ac 18:12
- 2 Corinthians 9:3 : 2Co 8:23
- 2 Corinthians 9:3 : 1Co 16:2
- 2 Corinthians 9:4 : Ro 15:26
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 : ver 3
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 : Php 4:17
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 : 2Co 12:17, 18
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
9 Now (A)it is superfluous for me to write to you about (B)the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, (C)of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready (D)since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But (E)I am sending[a] the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, (F)as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians (G)come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the (H)gift[b] you have promised, so that it may be ready (I)as a willing gift, (J)not as an exaction.[c]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Corinthians 9:3 Or I have sent
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 Greek blessing; twice in this verse
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 Or a gift expecting something in return; Greek greed
Cross references
- 2 Corinthians 9:1 : [1 Thess. 4:9]
- 2 Corinthians 9:1 : See Rom. 15:25
- 2 Corinthians 9:2 : ch. 8:24
- 2 Corinthians 9:2 : ch. 8:10
- 2 Corinthians 9:3 : ch. 8:6, 17, 18, 22
- 2 Corinthians 9:3 : 1 Cor. 16:2
- 2 Corinthians 9:4 : [Acts 20:4]
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 : Gen. 33:11; Judg. 1:15; 1 Sam. 25:27
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 : [Phil. 4:17]
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 : [ch. 12:17, 18]
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. I know your eagerness to give (1-2)
The Christians in Corinth were among the first to declare their eagerness to help the suffering believers in Jerusalem. Their enthusiasm had stirred the Macedonian churches to action. Then Paul learned of an ongoing sin problem among the believers, and he had rebuked them severely for their failure to discipline the person involved. Now, they had repented and had been forgiven. Paul wanted to see them completely restored. Their attitude toward giving was the best measure of their spiritual health.
2. A generous gift, not a grudging one (3-5)
They had begun with joy, and had pledged to give a generous gift. Now the time had come for them to make good their promise. Paul was sending Titus and another brother to encourage them so that when he came they would be spiritually prepared to give what they had promised. Paul reminded them of their influence on other churches. He was not above using a little healthy competition to encourage giving.
Prayer: Lord, help me to give sacrificially and joyfully, not grudgingly.
One Word: Be ready to give
