2 Corinthians — Chapter 9
Prepare the promised blessing
9:1
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you,
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul's tactful profession of confidence encourages completion of the collection. [Homily 19, on 2 Corinthians 9:1-2].
9:2
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared since last year; and your zeal stirred up the majority.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Achaia's earlier zeal has stimulated others. [Homily 19, on 2 Corinthians 9:1-2].
9:3
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
But I sent the brothers so that our boasting on your behalf might not be emptied in this respect, so that you might be prepared, just as I said,
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The envoys help ensure readiness corresponds to Paul's commendation. [Homily 19, on 2 Corinthians 9:3].
9:4
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
lest, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—should be put to shame in this confidence.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Preparation avoids embarrassment for both the Corinthians and their advocate. [Homily 19, on 2 Corinthians 9:4].
9:5
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go ahead to you and prepare beforehand your previously promised blessing, so that it might be ready in this way as a blessing and not as something extorted.
Textual & reception notes
Blessing renders eulogia, the generous gift. Something extorted takes pleonexia in relation to extraction by greed; the contrast with willing generosity is retained.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Advance preparation encourages a willing bounty rather than an extorted payment. [Homily 19, on 2 Corinthians 9:5].
Sowing, generosity, and thanksgiving
9:6
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Now this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows in blessings will also reap in blessings.
Textual & reception notes
In blessings preserves the repeated eulogia word family from 9:5, also expressing bountiful sowing and reaping.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Generous sowing looks toward an abundant future harvest. [Homily 19, on 2 Corinthians 9:6].
9:7
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Let each give as he has decided in his heart, not out of sorrow or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Textual & reception notes
Reception [CHR19], Homily 19 on 9:5–8: Chrysostom emphasizes willing, cheerful generosity rather than compelled giving, and connects sufficiency with provision for good works and sharing. The reception paraphrase is separate from the independent Greek translation.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: God values cheerful, voluntary giving. [Homily 19, on 2 Corinthians 9:7].
9:8
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
And God is able to make every grace abound toward you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may abound toward every good work.
Textual & reception notes
Sufficiency renders autarkeia, adequate provision in the argument for every good work, not an inserted guarantee of luxury.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Sufficiency is supplied for good works rather than luxurious excess. [Homily 19, on 2 Corinthians 9:8].
9:9
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
As it is written, “He scattered abroad; he gave to the poor; his righteousness remains for the age.”
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He reads the psalm's enduring righteousness in relation to generosity. [Homily 19, on 2 Corinthians 9:9].
9:10
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Now the One who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the fruits of your righteousness.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: God supplies material provision and increases the fruits of righteousness. [Homily 20, on 2 Corinthians 9:10].
9:11
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
You are being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us,
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Resources enable generosity that produces thanksgiving to God. [Homily 20, on 2 Corinthians 9:11].
9:12
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
because the ministry of this service not only fills up the deficiencies of the saints but also overflows through many thanksgivings to God.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The collection meets needs and multiplies thanksgiving. [Homily 20, on 2 Corinthians 9:12-14].
9:13
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for the submission of your confession to the good news of Christ, and for the generosity of your sharing toward them and toward all,
Textual & reception notes
They supplies the recipients of the ministry as the subject of glorifying in the long Greek sentence. The submission and confession relation is retained; further review may improve the English syntax.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Recipients glorify God for the donors' obedience to the gospel. [Homily 20, on 2 Corinthians 9:12-14].
9:14
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
while they too, in petition on your behalf, long for you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Giving creates bonds of prayer, affection, and fellowship. [Homily 20, on 2 Corinthians 9:12-14].
9:15
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He prefers Christ's coming as the meaning of the indescribable gift. [Homily 20, on 2 Corinthians 9:15].