Amplified Bible
2 Corinthians 9:7
7Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].
2 Corinthians 9:7 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- New King James Version (NKJV)So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Context of 2 Corinthians 9:7
5That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you [before I come] and make arrangements in advance for this generous, previously promised gift of yours, so that it would be ready, not as something extorted [or wrung out of you], but as a [voluntary and] generous gift. 6Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. 8And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. 9As it is written and forever remains written, “He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever!”
Read all of 2 Corinthians 92 Corinthians 9:7 word by word
ἕκαστος καθὼς προῄρηται τῇ καρδίᾳ, μὴ ἐκ λύπης ἢ ἐξ ἀνάγκης· ἱλαρὸν γὰρ δότην ἀγαπᾷ ὁ θεός.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Every manἕκαστοςhekastos · eachG1538
- according asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
- he purposethπροαιρέωproaireomai · to predetermineG4255
- in his heartὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- in his heartκαρδίαkardia · heartG2588
- notμήmē · notG3361
- ·ἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- grudginglyλύπηlupē · griefG3077
- orἤē · orG2228
- necessityἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318
- forγάρgar · forG1063
- Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- lovethἀγαπάωagapaō · to loveG25
- a cheerfulἱλαρόςhilaros · cheerfulG2431
- giverδότηςdotēs · giverG1395
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 9:7
- Deuteronomy 15:7“If there is a poor man among you, one of your fellow Israelites, in any of your cities in the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not be heartless, nor close-fisted with your poor brother;
- Proverbs 23:6Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies;
- Isaiah 32:5The fool (the good-for-nothing) will no longer be called noble, Nor the rogue said to be generous.
- James 5:9Do not complain against one another, believers, so that you will not be judged [for it]. Look! The Judge is standing right at the door.
- 1 Peter 4:9Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
- 2 Corinthians 8:12For if the eagerness [to give] is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
- Exodus 25:2“Tell the children of Israel to take an offering for Me. From every man whose heart moves him [to give willingly] you shall take My offering.
- Exodus 35:5‘Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever has a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s offering: gold, silver, and bronze,
- 1 Chronicles 29:17I know also, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness and integrity. In the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. So now with joy I have seen Your people who are present here, make their offerings willingly and freely to You.
- Proverbs 11:25The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched, And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].
- Proverbs 22:9He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor.
- Acts 20:35In everything I showed you [by example] that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.’ ”
- Romans 12:8or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 9:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7Not grudgingly, or of necessity - The Jews had in the temple two chests for alms; the one was תובה של of what was necessary, i.e. what the law required, the other was נרבה של of the free-will offerings. To escape perdition some would grudgingly give what necessity obliged them; others would give cheerfully, for the love of God, and through pity to the poor. Of the first, nothing is said; they simply did what the law required. Of the second, much is said…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart - The main idea in this verse is, that the act of giving should be voluntary and cheerful. It should not seem to be extorted by the importunity of others 2 Corinthians 9:6; nor should it be given from urgent necessity, but it should be given as an offering of the heart. On this part of the verse we may remark: (1) That the heart is usually more concerned in the business of giving than the head. If…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-15Verses 6-15 Money bestowed in charity, may to the carnal mind seem thrown away, but when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, from which a valuable increase may be expected. It should be given carefully. Works of charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design. Due thought, as to our circumstances, and those we are about to relieve, will direct our gifts for charitable uses. Help should be given freely, be it more or less…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7God loves a cheerful giver: The spirit of giving is what matters. Giving cheerfully is different from giving reluctantly (literally out of sorrow) or due to pressure.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. according as he purposeth in his heart--Let the full consent of the free will go with the gift [Alford]. Opposed to "of necessity," as "grudgingly" is opposed to "a cheerful giver" (Pr 22:9; 11:25; Is 32:8).Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 9:7
In the dictionaries
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
Amplified Bible — © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
Commentaries