2 Corinthians 9:7

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

5So I thought that I should encourage our coworkers to visit you before I do and make arrangements for this gift that you had already promised to give. Then it will be the blessing it was intended to be, and it won’t be something you’re forced to do. 6Remember this: The farmer who plants a few seeds will have a very small harvest. But the farmer who plants because he has received God’s blessings will receive a harvest of God’s blessings in return. Each of you should give whatever you have decided. You shouldn’t be sorry that you gave or feel forced to give, since God loves a cheerful giver. 8Besides, God will give you his constantly overflowing kindness. Then, when you always have everything you need, you can do more and more good things. 9Scripture says, “The person with God’s approval gives freely to the poor. The things he does with God’s approval continue forever.”

2 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 15:7This is what you must do whenever there are poor Israelites in one of your cities in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
• Proverbs 23:6Do not eat the food of one who is stingy, and do not crave his delicacies.
• Isaiah 32:5Godless fools will no longer be called nobles, nor will scoundrels be considered gentlemen.
• James 5:9Brothers and sisters, stop complaining about each other, or you will be condemned. Realize that the judge is standing at the door.
• 1 Peter 4:9Welcome each other as guests without complaining.
• 2 Corinthians 8:12with whatever contributions you have. Since you are willing to do this, ⌞remember⌟ that people are accepted if they give what they are able to give. God doesn’t ask for what they don’t have.
• Exodus 25:2“Tell the Israelites to choose something to give me as a special contribution. You must accept whatever contribution each person freely gives.
• Exodus 35:5Choose something of your own to give as a special contribution to the Lord. Let everyone who is willing bring this kind of contribution to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze,
• 1 Chronicles 29:17I know, my God, that you examine hearts and delight in honesty. With an honest heart I have willingly offered all these things. I’ve been overjoyed to see your people here offering so willingly to you.
• Proverbs 11:25A generous person will be made rich, and whoever satisfies others will himself be satisfied.
• Proverbs 22:9Whoever is generous will be blessed because he has shared his food with the poor.
• Acts 20:35I have given you an example that by working hard like this we should help the weak. We should remember the words that the Lord Jesus said, ‘Giving gifts is more satisfying than receiving them.’ ”
• Romans 12:8If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully.

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

• Alms
• Beneficence
• Giving
• God Continued...
• Liberality
• Poor

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Administration
• Boast
• Philippians, Epistle to
• Thanks
• Alms; Almsgiving
• Cheer; Cheerfulness
• Church
• Church Government

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