2 Corinthians 9:2

2 Corinthians 9:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
• New International Version (NIV)For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.
• English Standard Version (ESV)for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.
• New King James Version (NKJV)for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.

Context of 2 Corinthians 9:2

1Now it is unnecessary for me to write to you about the offering [that is to be made] for the saints [in Jerusalem]; for I know your eagerness [to promote this cause], and I have [proudly] boasted to the people of Macedonia about it, telling them that Achaia has been prepared since last year [for this contribution], and your enthusiasm has inspired the majority of them [to respond]. 3Still, I am sending the brothers [on to you], so that our pride in you may not be an empty boast in this case, and so that you may be prepared, just as I told them you would be; 4otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of yourselves—will be humiliated for being so confident.

2 Corinthians 9:2 word by word

οἶδα γὰρ τὴν προθυμίαν ὑμῶν ἣν ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν καυχῶμαι Μακεδόσιν, ὅτι Ἀχαΐα παρεσκεύασται ἀπὸ πέρυσι, καὶ τὸ ὑμῶν ζῆλος ἠρέθισεν τοὺς πλείονας.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• I knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• the forwardnessὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the forwardnessπροθυμίαprothumia · eagernessG4288
• of your mindσύsu · youG4771
• for whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• I boastκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• ofὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• to them of MacedoniaΜακεδώνMakedōn · MacedoniaG3110
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• AchaiaἈχαΐαAchaia · AchaiaG882
• was readyπαρασκευάζωparaskeuazō · to prepareG3903
• ·ἀπόapo · away fromG575
• a year agoπέρυσιperusi · last yearG4070
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• ·ἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• zealζῆλοςzēlos · zealG2205
• hath provokedἐρεθίζωerethizō · to provoke/irritateG2042
• very manyπλείων, πλεῖονpleiōn pleion pleon · greaterG4119

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 9:2

• 2 Corinthians 8:8I am not saying this as a command [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the enthusiasm of others, the sincerity of your love as well.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
• 2 Corinthians 8:24Therefore, show these men, in the sight of the churches, the proof of your love and our reason for being proud of you.
• 2 Corinthians 1:1Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah) by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, and to all the saints (God’s people) throughout Achaia (southern Greece):
• 2 Corinthians 8:10I give you my opinion in this matter: this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to take action [to help the believers in Jerusalem], but also [the first] to desire to do it.
• 1 Corinthians 16:15Brothers and sisters, you know that those of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to God’s people—now I urge you
• Hebrews 10:24and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds,

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 9:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2I know the forwardness of your mind - You have already firmly purposed to contribute to the support of the poor and suffering saints. That Achaia was ready a year ago - The whole of the Morea was anciently called Achaia, the capital of which was Corinth. The apostle means, not only Corinth, but other Churches in different parts about Corinth; we know there was a Church at Cenchrea, one of the ports on the Corinthian Isthmus. Your zeal hath provoked very…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2For I know the forwardness of your mind - I know your promptitude, or your readiness to do it; see 2 Corinthians 8:10. Probably Paul here means that he had had opportunity before of witnessing their readiness to do good, and that he had learned in particular of Titus that they had formed the plan to aid in this contribution. For which I boast of you to them of Macedonia - To the church in Macedonia; see 2 Corinthians 8:1. So well assured was he that the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-5Two reasons encourage the spirit of love in giving: to follow the example of the Macedonians, who were generous despite their poverty (9:2); and to avoid embarrassing Paul or themselves, as he had praised the Corinthians' generosity to the Macedonians (9:3–5). To ensure the collection at Corinth is ready on time, Paul will send delegates (8:16–24) ahead to prepare the promised gift.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. ready a year ago--to send off the money, owing to the apostle's former exhortation (1Co 16:1, 2). your zeal--Greek, "the zeal from you," that is, on your part; propagated from you to others. provoked--that is, stimulated. very many--Greek, "the greater number," namely, of the Macedonians.Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 9:2

• Achaia
• Beneficence
• Emulation
• Liberality
• Tact
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Macedonia
• Administration
• Boast
• Philippians, Epistle to
• Thanks
• Zeal
• Behalf
• Church
• Church Government
• Collection

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings