2 Corinthians 9:7 kjv
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 nkjv
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 niv
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 esv
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 nlt
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully."
2 Corinthians 9 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 9:7 | "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion..." | Paul's instruction on generous giving |
| Prov 22:8 | "Whoever sows injustice will reap trouble..." | Consequences of unrighteousness vs. sowing |
| Deut 15:10 | "Give generously to them and do so without a stingy heart..." | The principle of cheerful generosity |
| Prov 11:24-25 | "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to want..." | Paradox of generosity |
| Acts 20:35 | "...to remember the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" | The ultimate reward of giving |
| Luke 6:38 | "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over..." | The principle of sowing and reaping |
| 1 Cor 16:2 | "On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside some money in relation to how you have prospered..." | Principle of regular, planned giving |
| Phil 4:18 | "I have received full payment and have more than enough; I am generously supplied..." | Receiving God's provision through giving support |
| Rom 12:8 | "...if it is contributing to the needs of others, in cheerfulness..." | Giving with cheerfulness |
| Ex 35:5 | "‘Take from what you have,’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘and bring it as an offering...’" | Voluntary offering from abundance |
| 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 in secret..." | Giving done with a right motive |
| 1 Chron 29:9 | "The people rejoiced, for they had given willingly and wholeheartedly to the Lord." | Joy in willing giving |
| Mal 3:8-10 | "‘Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings.’" | The importance of not withholding |
| Heb 13:16 | "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." | Sacrifices pleasing to God |
| 2 Cor 8:12 | "For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have." | Giving according to one's ability |
| Mark 12:41-44 | The story of the widow's mite | Giving from a place of true need |
| John 3:16 | "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." | God's ultimate gift demonstrates generosity |
| 1 John 3:17-18 | "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?" | Connecting love to tangible giving |
| Titus 3:14 | "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing good, for urgent needs, so that they will not be barren." | Purposeful good works and meeting needs |
| Gal 5:22-23 | "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." | Gifts are a manifestation of the Spirit |
| Eph 4:28 | "Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with one who has need." | Stewardship and sharing |
| Phil 2:3-4 | "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests alone, but each of you looking to the interests of the others." | Motive of humility and other-centeredness |
2 Corinthians 9 verses
2 Corinthians 9 7 Meaning
Every person should give as they have decided in their heart, not grudgingly or out of compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9 7 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 9 is part of a larger section where Paul is discussing the collection for the Jerusalem church, which was suffering from famine. This chapter emphasizes the principles and blessings associated with Christian generosity and giving. The immediate context for verse 7 is Paul's encouragement to the Corinthian believers to fulfill their pledged contribution to this collection. He sets a standard for giving that is both joyful and based on a willing, informed decision rather than pressure or guilt. This instruction is also contrasted with potential improper motivations for giving and highlights God's pleasure in a cheerful giver. The entire passage (chapters 8-9) aims to foster a spirit of abundant grace and reciprocal love among believers.
2 Corinthians 9 7 Word Analysis
- ἕκαστος (hekastos): "each," "every one." This signifies individual responsibility in giving. It is not a communal decision imposed upon the group, but an personal commitment.
- καθὼς (kathōs): "as," "just as," "according to." This adverb introduces the manner or basis of giving.
- προῄρεται (prohairesis): "has purposed," "has decided," "has resolved." This is from the verb prohaireomai, meaning to choose beforehand, to have as a deliberate purpose. It underscores that giving should be a planned, conscious decision of the heart, not impulsive.
- Related to this idea is the importance of intentionality, as seen in passages like 1 Corinthians 16:2 where giving is to be done "on the first day of every week," indicating regularity and planning.
- τῇ καρδίᾳ (tē kardia): "in the heart." The heart in biblical thought is the center of a person's inner life, including will, intellect, and emotion. The decision to give must originate from the innermost being.
- οὐκ ἐκ λύπης (ouk ek lupēs): "not from grief," "not from sorrow," "not grudgingly." Lupē refers to distress or sadness. This implies that giving should not stem from a feeling of obligation that causes unhappiness or a sense of loss. It is the opposite of begrudging.
- ἢ ἐξ ἀνάγκης (ē ex anankēs): "or from necessity," "or out of compulsion." Anankē denotes a state of being under constraint, compulsion, or necessity. This explicitly forbids giving that is forced or done out of obligation under external pressure. True giving is voluntary.
- The early church exemplified this voluntary spirit in Acts 4:32-35 where possessions were shared freely.
- ἱλαροῦ γὰρ δότην ἀγαπᾷ ὁ Θεός (hilaros gar dotēn agapāi ho Theos): "for God loves a cheerful giver."
- ἱλαρὸς (hilaros): "cheerful," "joyful," "willing," "generous." This adjective describes the disposition of the giver. It is about the spirit in which the gift is given. The root is related to hilarity.
- δότης (dotēs): "giver." The one who gives.
- ἀγαπᾷ (agapāi): "loves." God cherishes and approves of this disposition.
- This is a core principle in the New Testament, often linked to the teaching of Jesus (Acts 20:35) and echoing principles in the Old Testament Law regarding freewill offerings. The focus is on the spirit of giving.
2 Corinthians 9 7 Bonus Section
The concept of a "cheerful giver" can be further understood by examining the contrast Paul makes. Reluctance or compulsion stems from a place of scarcity, fear, or a misunderstanding of God’s provision. Cheerful giving, conversely, arises from a recognition of God’s abundant grace and the joy found in participating in His work. The giving described here is voluntary and intentional, not a tithe in the strict Levitical sense (though stewardship principles overlap), but a generous offering from what God has blessed one with. This generosity reflects the unreserved gift of God’s own Son for humanity.
2 Corinthians 9 7 Commentary
This verse is a foundational teaching on Christian stewardship and generosity. It stresses that giving is an act of the heart, a decision made internally and deliberately. The emphasis is not on the amount given, but on the motive and disposition of the giver. God looks upon giving that springs from a joyful, willing heart with favor. Such giving is not a burdensome obligation, nor is it coerced. It is an outflow of grace and love, reflecting the character of God Himself who is the ultimate giver. True Christian giving is an expression of spiritual health and alignment with God’s will, resulting in blessing for both the giver and the recipient.
- Practical Application: Consider your giving as a form of worship. Evaluate your motivations for giving to ensure they are aligned with God’s love.
- Planned Giving: Decide in advance how you will give, aligning with your budget and capabilities.
- Joyful Spirit: Cultivate a heart of gratitude that leads to joyful participation in supporting the work of God and meeting the needs of others.