2 Corinthians 9 15

2 Corinthians 9:15 kjv

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

2 Corinthians 9:15 nkjv

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15 niv

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15 esv

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15 nlt

Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

2 Corinthians 9 verses

2 Corinthians 9 15 Meaning

The verse, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" serves as a powerful doxological exclamation, concluding Paul's extended exhortation on generous giving (2 Corinthians chapters 8-9). The "indescribable gift" refers primarily to the ultimate act of divine benevolence: God's sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, to become incarnate, suffer, and die for the salvation of humanity. This gift of Christ, encompassing His grace, redemption, and eternal life, is "indescribable" because its value, depth, and implications transcend all human language and comprehension. It is a gift so magnificent and boundless that no words can adequately capture its fullness. Therefore, in light of this supreme and unmerited favor, Paul breaks into fervent gratitude, teaching that all human generosity and service ought to flow from and be overshadowed by this divine, ineffable gift.

2 Corinthians 9 15 Context

2 Corinthians 9:15 serves as the climactic benediction following Paul's detailed instructions and passionate appeal to the Corinthians regarding their financial contribution for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem (2 Cor 8:1-9:14). Throughout these chapters, Paul masterfully weaves together theological principles, examples (the Macedonian churches, Christ Himself), and practical exhortations. He encourages the Corinthians not merely to fulfill a promise, but to excel in the "grace of giving," sowing generously as a spiritual investment. He promises that God will provide abundantly for cheerful givers, enabling them to be generous in every way, which in turn leads to thanksgiving from the recipients. The giving is not just about material support but about proving the reality of their faith and the genuine sincerity of their love. This culminating verse lifts the Corinthians' gaze from their earthly financial concerns to the grand theological reality that underlies all generosity: God's supreme, free, and incomparable gift of Christ. It highlights that human acts of giving are but a humble, grateful response to an infinitely greater divine provision.

2 Corinthians 9 15 Word analysis

• Thanks (Χάρις, Charis): The Greek word here often translates as "grace," "favor," or "kindness." In this context, charis is used in the sense of "thanksgiving" or "gratitude," signifying an overflow of appreciation. It directly links God's "grace" (His unmerited favor and gift) to the human response of "thanks" and gratitude. It embodies the reciprocal relationship where divine grace evokes human praise.
• be to God (τῷ Θεῷ, tō Theō): "To God" is in the dative case, indicating the direct recipient of this thanksgiving. It emphasizes that all praise and gratitude are rightly directed toward God, the ultimate source of every good gift.
• for His (ἐπὶ τῇ ἀνεκδιηγήτῳ αὐτοῦ, epi tē anekdiēgētō autou): The preposition "for" (ἐπί, epi) signifies the reason or basis for the thanksgiving. "His" (autou) clarifies that the gift originates solely from God.
• indescribable (ἀνεκδιηγήτῳ, anekdiēgētō): This is a powerful and unique word in the New Testament (only here in NT, used rarely in other Greek literature). It is formed from:
  • `an-` (ἀν-): a negative prefix, meaning "un-" or "not."
  • `ek` (ἐκ): meaning "out of" or "completely."
  • `diēgeomai` (διηγέομαι): meaning "to recount fully," "to narrate completely," "to describe comprehensively."
  Therefore, anekdiēgētō means "unable to be fully recounted," "inexpressible," "unspeakable," or "beyond description." It is not merely "great" or "wonderful," but truly beyond human capacity to adequately grasp, articulate, or praise. It denotes a depth and magnitude that transcends all linguistic bounds, making any attempt at full explanation futile. This intensifies the awe and gratitude Paul expresses.
• gift (δωρεᾷ, dōrea): This term refers to a "free gift" or "present," something given without expectation of return or merited by the recipient. It emphasizes the gratuitous nature of God's act. Unlike charisma which often implies a specific spiritual endowment, dōrea denotes the sheer act of giving as a benevolent deed. Its use here reinforces that what God gave – preeminently Jesus Christ – was entirely out of His grace and not due to human merit.

• Thanks be to God: This is a common biblical expression of doxology and profound gratitude, appearing frequently in Paul's letters (e.g., Rom 7:25, 1 Cor 15:57). It signifies an immediate, heartfelt response of praise and acknowledgment of God's benevolence as the source of all blessing. It elevates the discussion from the practicalities of financial collection to a theological statement of divine praise.
• His indescribable gift: This phrase encapsulates the central theological point. The singularity of "gift" (not gifts) strongly suggests one ultimate, all-encompassing reality. While indirectly referencing the generosity God instills in believers or the material blessing that comes from giving, the overwhelming consensus, supported by the preceding verses like 2 Cor 8:9 ("the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ"), points to Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings as the quintessential and truly "indescribable" gift from God. This gift is unparalleled, unmatched, and surpasses all human imagination and expression in its infinite value and impact.

2 Corinthians 9 15 Bonus section

The structure of 2 Corinthians 8-9 reveals Paul's rhetorical brilliance. He begins by holding up the Macedonian churches as examples of extreme generosity born out of "overflowing joy" despite "extreme poverty" (8:1-5). He then pivots to Christ as the supreme example of giving: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (8:9). This verse sets the stage for 9:15, directly linking Christ's self-impoverishment and salvific work to the very concept of the "indescribable gift." Paul moves from principle to practice, then from practice back to ultimate theological principle. The financial collection, while earthly and practical, is fundamentally a spiritual act rooted in a profound theological reality—God's radical, unmerited self-giving. Thus, the thanks expressed in 2 Corinthians 9:15 is not merely for the material support being provided, nor just for the positive outcomes of the Corinthians' giving, but for the entire redemptive reality initiated by God through Christ. It's a spontaneous outburst of praise, marking the peak of his persuasive argument for grace-motivated giving. This concluding doxology transforms the practical task of fundraising into an act of worship.

2 Corinthians 9 15 Commentary

2 Corinthians 9:15 acts as a powerful capstone to Paul's lengthy discussion on the Jerusalem collection. It moves from the tangible act of giving to its profound spiritual basis, reminding the Corinthians, and all believers, of the true motivation for generosity: gratitude for God's ultimate beneficence. The "indescribable gift" refers preeminently to God's gracious bestowal of Jesus Christ for humanity's salvation. This is the fount from which all other blessings, including the grace of giving, flow. It is "indescribable" not merely because it is wonderful, but because its depth of love, its cost, its redemptive power, and its eternal implications are utterly beyond human capacity to comprehend or fully articulate. Any words or human actions fall short of adequately expressing its magnitude. Therefore, genuine Christian giving is not primarily about duty or earning favor, but an overflow of a heart captivated by this unspeakable divine grace. Our offerings, however large, are infinitely small compared to God's "inexpressible gift." This understanding calls us to give not grudgingly or under compulsion, but joyfully and freely, knowing that all we possess and all we can give pales in comparison to what God has already so graciously provided in Christ. For example, if someone has received a life-saving organ donation from an anonymous donor, their subsequent acts of service or charity might stem from an indescribable gratitude for that one life-altering gift; similarly, a Christian's generosity flows from the ultimate spiritual life-saving gift of Christ.