2 Corinthians 9:6

2 Corinthians 9:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
• New International Version (NIV)Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

Context of 2 Corinthians 9:6

4Otherwise, 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. 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:6 word by word

τοῦτο δέ, ὁ σπείρων φειδομένως φειδομένως καὶ θερίσει, καὶ ὁ σπείρων ἐπ᾽ εὐλογίαις ἐπ᾽ εὐλογίαις καὶ θερίσει.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• Heὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• which sowethσπείρωspeirō · to sowG4687
• sparinglyφειδομένωςpheidomenōs · sparinglyG5340
• shall reapθερίζωtheridō · to reapG2325
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• ·ἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• bountifullyεὐλογίαeulogia · praiseG2129

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 9:6

• 1 Corinthians 1:12What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ."
• 1 Corinthians 7:29This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,
• 1 Corinthians 15:20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
• Galatians 3:17This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void.
• Galatians 5:16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
• Ephesians 4:17Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
• Colossians 2:4I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
• 2 Corinthians 9:10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
• Psalms 41:1Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him;
• Proverbs 11:18The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
• Proverbs 19:17Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
• Proverbs 22:9Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
• Ecclesiastes 11:1Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.
• Luke 6:38give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."
• Luke 19:16The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.'
• Galatians 6:7Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 9:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6He which soweth sparingly - This is a plain maxim: no man can expect to reap but in proportion as he has sowed. And here almsgiving is represented as a seed sown, which shall bring forth a crop. If the sowing be liberal, and the seed good, the crop shall be so too. Sowing is used among the Jews to express almsgiving: so they understand Isaiah 32:20; : Blessed are ye who sow beside all waters; i.e. who are ready to help every one that is in need. And Hosea…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6But this I say - This I say in order to induce you to give liberally. This I say to prevent your supposing that because it is to be a voluntary offering you may give only from your superfluity, and may give sparingly. He which soweth sparingly - This expression has all the appearance of a proverb, and doubtless is such. It does not occur indeed elsewhere in the Scriptures, though substantially the same sentiment exciting to liberality often occurs; see…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. 6Paul uses farming to show how generosity pays off. A farmer who wants a big harvest must plant many seeds.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 66. I say--Ellicott and others supply the ellipsis thus: "But remember this." bountifully--literally, "with," or "in blessings." The word itself implies a beneficent spirit in the giver (compare 2Co 9:7, end), and the plural implies the abundance and liberality of the gifts. "The reaping shall correspond to the proportions and spirit of the sowing" [Bengel]. Compare Eze 34:26, "Showers of blessing."Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 9:6

• Agriculture
• Alms
• Beneficence
• Botany
• Giving
• Liberality
• Poor
• Seed

In the dictionaries

• Administration
• Boast
• Philippians, Epistle to
• Thanks
• Bountifulness; Bounty
• Church
• Church Government
• Collection
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Grace

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