2 Corinthians 9:4 kjv
Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
2 Corinthians 9:4 nkjv
lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.
2 Corinthians 9:4 niv
For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we?not to say anything about you?would be ashamed of having been so confident.
2 Corinthians 9:4 esv
Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated ? to say nothing of you ? for being so confident.
2 Corinthians 9:4 nlt
We would be embarrassed ? not to mention your own embarrassment ? if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren't ready after all I had told them!
2 Corinthians 9 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 8:7 | "But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this grace also." | Excellence in 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 that the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" | Blessing of Giving |
| Rom 12:8 | "he who gives, in simplicity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." | Cheerful Giving |
| 1 Cor 13:3 | "If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have no love, I gain nothing." | Love as Motivation |
| Matt 6:3-4 | "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be secret." | Secret Giving |
| Phil 4:15-17 | "And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only." | Partnership in Giving |
| Prov 11:24-25 | "One gives freely, yet gains yet more; another withholds what is due, yet comes to be in want. Whoever blesses others will be greatly enriched..." | Generosity and Blessing |
| 1 Tim 6:17-19 | "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be proud, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Charge them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future..." | Richness in Good Works |
| Deut 15:7-8 | "If among you one of your brothers should become poor... you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever that may be." | Compassionate Giving |
| Luke 21:1-4 | "He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and he saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And he said, 'Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.'" | Giving from What One Has |
| Gal 6:7-9 | "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." | Sowing and Reaping |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:" | Stewards of Grace |
| Acts 4:32 | "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and one soul, and no one claimed that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." | Generosity in the Early Church |
| 2 Cor 8:11-12 | "Now then, finish doing it, so that your readiness in virtue may be matched by the completion of the deed. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do not have." | Readiness and Completion |
| Phil 2:3-4 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." | Humility and Others' Interests |
| 1 John 3:17-18 | "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." | Love in Deed |
| Col 3:17 | "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." | Doing All in Jesus' Name |
| Eph 5:15-16 | "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." | Wise Stewardship of Time |
| Heb 13:16 | "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." | Pleasing Sacrifices |
| Matt 5:16 | "...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." | Glorifying God |
2 Corinthians 9 verses
2 Corinthians 9 4 Meaning
This verse is a cautionary statement from Paul to the Corinthians concerning their generous giving. It aims to prevent boastfulness or pressure from leading their generosity, ensuring it stems from a genuine and voluntary heart. The core message is that true generosity is motivated by love and a desire to bless others, not by external coercion or the desire for personal recognition.
2 Corinthians 9 4 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 9 follows Paul’s extended discussion on the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem, begun in chapter 8. He has exhorted the Corinthians to give generously, highlighting the example of the Macedonian churches. This chapter aims to finalize and encourage their resolve, addressing potential attitudes and ensuring their giving is a true act of grace. The immediate context is preparing for Titus's arrival to receive the collection and to reinforce the spiritual maturity of the Corinthian believers in their response to Paul’s teaching.
2 Corinthians 9 4 Word Analysis
- "Lest": (Greek: hina mē) - This expresses purpose or a negative consequence. Paul is stating the purpose behind his instructions or the reason he is writing this part of the letter is to prevent a particular negative outcome.
- "Bounty": (Greek: charis) - The same word translated as "grace" earlier in the chapter. Here it refers to the generosity or the gift itself, specifically the "grace" of their contribution. It emphasizes that their giving is an act of divine favor, not just a human effort.
- "Of bounty": (Greek: charis - repetition). The repetition stresses that their offering is to be characterized by the same grace and unmeritorious favor that God has shown them.
- "Of this": (Greek: hautē) - This points specifically to the "bounty" or "grace" previously mentioned. It’s referring to this particular act of giving.
- "This": (Greek: houtos) - Again, referring back to their planned or promised giving.
- "Giving": (Greek: logizētai) - This is from a root meaning to "calculate" or "reckon." Paul means that their contribution should not be reckoned or calculated as something forced or extorted from them.
- "As": (Greek: hos - in some manuscripts, hōs) - Could mean "as if" or "by way of." The sense is that their giving shouldn't be viewed as an obligation.
- "Of compulsion": (Greek: ek ptōcheias - in some manuscripts, ex anagkēs) - This means "from necessity" or "from being forced." It contrasts with voluntary giving. The use of ex anagkēs (out of compulsion) emphasizes that no one should feel pressured or coerced.
- "Thing": (Greek: pragma) - A deed or a matter. The implication is that their offering should not be viewed as a debt or an imposed action.
- "For God": (Greek: ho gar theos) - Paul is grounding the principle in God’s character and His appreciation for willing giving.
- "Loveth": (Greek: agapa) - This verb refers to a deep, benevolent, and sacrificial love, often associated with God's love for humanity and the love believers should have for one another.
- "A": (Greek: hōs - in some manuscripts) - "a" or "such as".
- "Cheerfull": (Greek: hilaros - from hilaos, meaning cheerful, joyous, generous, liberal). It denotes a gladness and willingness in giving, originating from the heart. This concept of cheerful giving is vital in Pauline theology and aligns with Old Testament principles.
- "Giver": (Greek: dōtou) - One who gives. The focus is on the disposition of the giver, not merely the act of giving.
2 Corinthians 9 4 Bonus Section
The Greek word hilares (cheerful) is the root of the English word "hilarious." While the English might suggest laughter, in its original sense and context here, it signifies a profound, unforced joy and willingness associated with giving. This emphasis on inner disposition over outward compulsion is a hallmark of Christian ethics, distinguishing it from purely ritualistic or mandatory offerings found in some other ancient religions or even in legalistic interpretations of faith. The grace of giving (2 Cor 9:8, 9:14) is ultimately rooted in the grace received from God through Christ.
2 Corinthians 9 4 Commentary
Paul's instruction here is paramount for the integrity of Christian giving. He warns the Corinthians against any act of giving that is performed under duress or the appearance of obligation. The generosity (bounty/grace) of their contribution must be a genuine outflow of their spirit, reflecting the selfless love that God Himself embodies and calls His people to. The qualifier "cheerful" (hilarious, glad-hearted) is not about the amount given, but the attitude behind it. This willingly-offered gift is what God finds acceptable. True Christian giving springs from a heart motivated by God’s love, not by social pressure, guilt, or a desire for human approval. This principle ensures that the act of giving becomes an act of worship and a testimony to God’s grace in their lives.