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 really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. 3But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them!

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 commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:7As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.
• 2 Corinthians 8:24So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.
• 2 Corinthians 1:1This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to God’s church in Corinth and to all of his holy people throughout Greece.
• 2 Corinthians 8:10Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.
• 1 Corinthians 16:15You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters,
• Hebrews 10:24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

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