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

1I don’t need to write anything further to you about helping the Christians ⌞in Jerusalem⌟. I know how willing you are to help, and I brag about you to the believers in the province of Macedonia. I tell them, “The people of Greece have been ready ⌞to send their collection⌟ since last year,” and your enthusiasm has moved most of them ⌞to act⌟. 3I’ve sent my coworkers so that when we brag that you’re ready, we can back it up. 4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me, they might find out that you’re not ready after all. This would embarrass us for feeling so confident as much as it would embarrass you.

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’m not commanding you, but I’m testing how genuine your love is by pointing out the dedication of others.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:7This way, you became a model for all the believers in the province of Macedonia and Greece.
• 2 Corinthians 8:24So give these men a demonstration of your love. Show their congregations that we were right to be proud of you.
• 2 Corinthians 1:1From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and from Timothy our brother. To God’s church in the city of Corinth and to all God’s holy people everywhere in Greece.
• 2 Corinthians 8:10I’m giving you my opinion because it will be helpful to you. Last year you were not only willing ⌞to take a collection⌟ but had already started to do it.
• 1 Corinthians 16:15You know that the family of Stephanas was the first family to be won ⌞for Christ⌟ in Greece. This family has devoted itself to serving God’s people. So I encourage you, brothers and sisters,
• Hebrews 10:24We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things.

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