2 Corinthians 9 13

2 Corinthians 9:13 kjv

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

2 Corinthians 9:13 nkjv

while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,

2 Corinthians 9:13 niv

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

2 Corinthians 9:13 esv

By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,

2 Corinthians 9:13 nlt

As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.

2 Corinthians 9 verses

2 Corinthians 9 13 Meaning

2 Corinthians 9:13 declares that the generous financial contribution of the Corinthians for the needy saints in Jerusalem serves as undeniable proof of their genuine Christian commitment. This act of sacrificial giving prompts those who receive it to glorify God, attributing praise to Him both for the Corinthians' willing obedience to the core tenets of the Gospel of Christ and for the tangible expression of fellowship through their bountiful shared gift, extended not only to the recipients but, by implication, embodying love for all. It highlights how practical Christian charity validates faith and directs honor to God.

2 Corinthians 9 13 Context

This verse is situated in 2 Corinthians Chapters 8 and 9, where the Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthian church to complete their promised contribution for the impoverished Christian believers in Jerusalem. This collection was not merely an act of charity but a significant demonstration of unity between Gentile and Jewish believers and a tangible expression of mutual Christian love. Paul emphasizes that this act of giving is an extension of their faith, proving the sincerity of their conversion and obedience to the Gospel. He assures them that God abundantly supplies all their needs so they can give generously, and the ultimate outcome of such giving is not just relief for the needy but an outpouring of thanksgiving and glory to God from the recipients, leading to deepened prayer and fellowship (v. 14).

Historically, the collection for the saints was a key initiative for Paul, serving multiple purposes: providing relief to suffering Jewish Christians in Judea, affirming the unity of the body of Christ despite ethnic and cultural differences, and demonstrating the practical, transforming power of the Gospel in the lives of Gentile converts. Their act of giving stood as a direct contrast to common worldly values of self-preservation and accumulation, emphasizing communal responsibility and the sharing inherent in Christian fellowship.

2 Corinthians 9 13 Word analysis

• While by the proof (διὰ τῆς δοκιμῆς ταύτης, dia tēs dokimēs tautēs):

  • διά (dia): Through, by means of. It signifies the agency or instrument.
  • δοκιμῆς (dokimēs): From dokimē, meaning proof, approval, attested genuineness, or tried and tested character. It's not just "evidence" but evidence that has been put to the test and proven true. The act of giving is the demonstration.
  • This phrase emphasizes that the collection itself is not just an offering, but a tangible, demonstrable validation of their faith and the reality of the Gospel at work in them.

• of this ministry (τῆς διακονίας ταύτης, tēs diakonias tautēs):

  • διακονίας (diakonias): From diakonia, meaning service, ministry, practical assistance, or ministration. It refers specifically to the financial aid or relief work of the collection, identifying it as an act of spiritual service.

• they glorify God (δοξάζοντες τὸν Θεόν, doxazontes ton Theon):

  • δοξάζοντες (doxazontes): Present participle, indicating ongoing action: "they are glorifying God" or "they will glorify God." To give praise, honor, and adoration; to acknowledge His majesty and power. This is the ultimate goal and outcome of their action.

• for your obedience (ἐπὶ τῇ ὑποταγῇ, epi tē hypotagē):

  • ἐπὶ (epi): On the basis of, for, because of. It introduces the reason or ground.
  • ὑποταγῇ (hypotagē): From hypotagē, meaning submission, subjection, or obedience. It implies a willing alignment with God's will or Gospel teachings. Their giving is a direct result of their obedience to Christ's command to love and share.

• to the confession (τῆς ὁμολογίας, tēs homologias):

  • ὁμολογίας (homologias): From homologia, meaning confession, agreement, or profession. It implies an open, public acknowledgment of belief and adherence.

• of the gospel of Christ (τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ, tou euangeliou tou Christou):

  • εὐαγγελίου (euangeliou): Gospel, good news.
  • Χριστοῦ (Christou): Of Christ. The gospel is fundamentally centered on Christ. Their act of obedience demonstrates not just abstract piety, but concretely lives out the implications of the good news received in Christ.

• and for your generous contribution (καὶ ἁπλότητι τῆς κοινωνίας, kai haplotēti tēs koinōnias):

  • καὶ (kai): And. Connecting the two grounds for glorifying God.
  • ἁπλότητι (haplotēti): From haplotēs, meaning sincerity, simplicity, generosity, singleness of mind, liberality. It implies giving without ulterior motives, grudging attitudes, or hidden agendas—true liberality from the heart. It counters duplicity.
  • κοινωνίας (koinōnias): From koinōnia, meaning fellowship, participation, sharing, partnership, contribution, communion. This rich term highlights that the financial gift is not mere money, but a tangible expression of spiritual communion and solidarity within the body of Christ. It reflects their participation in the sufferings and joys of their brethren.

• for them and for all others (εἰς αὐτοὺς καὶ εἰς πάντας, eis autous kai eis pantas):

  • εἰς (eis): To, for, towards.
  • αὐτοὺς (autous): Them (referring to the saints in Jerusalem).
  • πάντας (pantas): All (others). This phrase indicates the widespread impact and implications of their generosity. While directly aiding the Jerusalem saints, it also models selfless giving for the wider Christian community, influencing all who witness it.

Words-group Analysis:

• "by the proof of this ministry they glorify God": The concrete, tangible service (the collection) functions as validated proof of genuine faith, which then triggers the recipients to offer praise and glory to God. It underscores the concept that genuine faith results in visible, commendable actions that reflect well on God.
• "for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ": The first ground for glorifying God. Their action confirms that they truly accepted and submitted to the core truths of the Gospel, not just verbally, but practically. Their "confession" (public declaration of faith) is reinforced and evidenced by their "obedience" (practical living). This counters any potential perception of their conversion or faith as merely superficial.
• "and for your generous contribution for them and for all others": The second ground. Their giving wasn't grudging or limited, but truly generous (haplotēs). More significantly, it was a profound act of koinōnia – deeply shared fellowship. This act of communion benefits the specific recipients (Jerusalem saints) but also serves as a broader example, testifying to Christian love that extends to "all others" within the body of Christ and beyond.

2 Corinthians 9 13 Bonus section

The profound implications of this verse extend to:

• The Nature of True Worship: Worship is not confined to hymns and prayers but encompasses practical, obedient living that glorifies God through tangible acts of love and service to others.
• Evangelism and Apologetics: The authentic witness of the believers’ changed lives, evidenced through generosity, provides powerful "proof" of the Gospel's reality. This counters skepticism and invites others to consider the faith that produces such character.
• Unity of the Church: The collection forged strong bonds between Gentile and Jewish believers, breaking down barriers and demonstrating that Christ's body is one, transcending ethnic or social divisions through shared spiritual and material blessings.
• God as the Ultimate Provider: Underlying the call to generosity is Paul's firm belief (echoed throughout chapters 8 and 9) that God blesses the giver, enabling them to abound in every good work. Their giving is a response to God's prior generosity.

2 Corinthians 9 13 Commentary

2 Corinthians 9:13 captures a pivotal consequence of Christian giving: it prompts recipients and witnesses to glorify God. This isn't just about financial relief; it's a profound spiritual event. The Corinthians' contribution served as dokimē – proven authenticity – demonstrating that their conversion to the Gospel was sincere and transformative. Their hypotagē (obedience) to the homologia (confession) of Christ was tangible; their actions aligned with their beliefs. Furthermore, their gift, characterized by haplotēs (generosity/sincerity) and deeply rooted in koinōnia (fellowship/sharing), was an act of Christ-like love that resonated beyond its immediate purpose. It wasn't just money for the poor, but fellowship with the poor. This verse reinforces that practical love and generosity are irrefutable evidence of the Gospel's power, compelling onlookers to acknowledge God's work in the believers and praise Him.