2 Corinthians 9:10 kjv
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
2 Corinthians 9:10 nkjv
Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
2 Corinthians 9:10 niv
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
2 Corinthians 9:10 esv
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
2 Corinthians 9:10 nlt
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
2 Corinthians 9 10 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Gen 1:11-12 | "Let the earth sprout vegetation, every kind of plant that bears seed..." | Seed and growth concept |
Gen 22:17 | "Surely I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring..." | God's multiplication promise |
Deut 8:18 | "You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth..." | Source of ability to give |
Ps 112:9 | "He distributes freely to the poor; his righteousness endures forever..." | Generosity and its outcome |
Prov 3:9-10 | "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first of all your produce..." | Giving to God brings blessing |
Prov 11:24-25 | "One gives freely, yet gains yet more; another withholds what is due, and comes to poverty." | Paradox of giving |
Isa 55:10 | "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and return not thither, but water the earth..." | God's word and provision |
Mal 3:10 | "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse... and test me in this... see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you..." | Testing God's faithfulness |
Matt 13:23 | "As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit..." | Good soil receiving seed |
Luke 6:38 | "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap..." | Abundant return for giving |
Acts 20:35 | "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" | Principle of giving |
Rom 11:36 | "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen." | God as the source of all things |
1 Cor 3:6 | "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." | God is the giver of growth |
1 Cor 15:58 | "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." | Abounding in God's work |
2 Cor 1:11 | "You also must help us by prayer, so that many may give thanks for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many." | Others praying for God's grace |
2 Cor 8:1-7 | Detailed account of Macedonian churches' generosity | Example of liberal giving |
2 Cor 9:6 | "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." | The principle of sowing and reaping |
2 Cor 9:7 | "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." | Cheerful giving |
Gal 6:7 | "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. For whatever one sows, that will he also reap." | Principle of sowing and reaping |
Phil 4:16-19 | "Even in Thessalonica you sent me help once and again for my needs... And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God's provision for generosity |
Heb 12:15 | "See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled." | Grace and potential obstacles |
1 Pet 4:10-11 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace..." | Stewardship of grace |
2 Corinthians 9 verses
2 Corinthians 9 10 Meaning
God provides the seed for the sower and multiplies it, ensuring abundance for generosity. This divine provision enables consistent sowing and a rich harvest of righteousness, leading to gratitude towards God.
2 Corinthians 9 10 Context
This verse is part of the larger section in 2 Corinthians (chapters 8-9) where Paul encourages the Corinthian believers to be generous in their giving to the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Paul uses the example of the Macedonian churches' eager and sacrificial giving (2 Corinthians 8) to motivate the Corinthians. He emphasizes that God is the ultimate source of provision for giving and that His grace empowers their generosity. The upcoming giving is presented not as a burden but as an opportunity to participate in God's work and experience His blessing.
2 Corinthians 9 10 Word Analysis
"He who": Refers to God the Father, the ultimate Provider.
"supplies": (Gk. parechō) Literally "to bring near," "furnish," "provide." Emphasizes God making provision readily available.
"seed": (Gk. speustion) Primarily refers to seed for planting, but by extension can mean sustenance or resources.
"for sowing": Indicates the purpose of the provision – to be used in sowing, i.e., planting for future harvest. It implies an ongoing process.
"and": Connects God's provision of seed with the subsequent multiplication.
"bread": (Gk. arton) Staple food, sustenance.
"for food": Indicates its purpose for consumption and nourishment. This dual provision (seed for sowing, bread for eating) is crucial: God provides for our needs and for our ability to give.
"will he": Future tense, denoting certainty.
"multiply": (Gk. plēthynō) To increase, make numerous.
"your seed": Refers to the resources that are sown, not just literal seeds. It signifies what is committed for the purpose of ministry or helping others.
"and": Links the multiplication of seed to the increase of the "fruit of your righteousness."
"the fruit of your righteousness": Refers to the positive results and spiritual blessings that flow from righteous living and generous giving. This is not self-generated righteousness, but the outworking of righteousness that God imputes.
Word Groups/Phrases:
- "He who supplies seed for sowing and bread for food": This phrase paints a picture of God as the ultimate agricultural provider. He doesn't just give what's needed for today's consumption ("bread for food"), but also the means for future provision and abundance ("seed for sowing"). This reflects the continuous nature of God's provision and His desire for us to have not just enough, but enough to share.
- "will multiply your seed for sowing and increase the fruit of your righteousness": The promise is twofold: God will increase the resources we sow and the spiritual blessings that result. It suggests that generosity doesn't deplete our resources; rather, God's blessing amplifies both our capacity to give and the positive spiritual outcomes of that giving. The "fruit of righteousness" is the tangible evidence and divine blessing that accompanies a generous and obedient spirit.
2 Corinthians 9 10 Bonus Section
The Greek word plēthynō (multiply) carries the idea of making numerous, abundant, and fruitful. It goes beyond mere replenishment; it suggests an increase that leads to overflow. This principle of divine multiplication in response to obedient sowing is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating God's faithfulness and desire for His people to experience abundance, not for hoarding, but for further generosity and the spread of His kingdom. The "fruit of your righteousness" can be understood as the tangible results of righteous living – lives touched by generosity, the gospel advancing, and increased faith and gratitude.
2 Corinthians 9 10 Commentary
This verse encapsulates a divine principle: God is the source of all provision, enabling us to give and ensuring our generosity results in blessing. He equips us with resources (the "seed" for sowing and "bread" for sustenance) and then supernaturally increases both the means we use for sowing and the righteous outcomes. It reassures the giver that their act of sowing is not a loss, but a sowing into a divine economy where God guarantees multiplication. This assurance encourages continued generosity and faith in God's abundant supply, fostering a heart of gratitude.
- Practical Usage:
- When facing a need to give, remember God is your Provider.
- Faithfully sow what you can, trusting God to multiply it.
- Recognize that generosity yields spiritual fruit and blessing.
- Maintain a cheerful and willing spirit in giving.