And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. And God is ableThis phrase emphasizes the omnipotence of God. The Greek word for "able" is "dunatos," which conveys the idea of power and capability. In the context of 2 Corinthians, Paul reassures the believers in Corinth that God's power is not limited. Historically, the early church faced many challenges, including persecution and poverty. This assurance of God's ability would have been a source of great comfort and encouragement, reminding them that their reliance on God is well-placed because He is fully capable of meeting their needs. to make all grace abound to you
The word "grace" in Greek is "charis," which refers to unmerited favor. This grace is not just sufficient; it abounds. The use of "abound" (Greek: "perisseuo") suggests an overflowing abundance. In the scriptural context, this grace is not only for salvation but also for daily living and service. Historically, the Corinthian church was encouraged to be generous, and this phrase assures them that God's grace will enable them to give beyond their natural capacity. so that in all things
The phrase "in all things" underscores the comprehensive nature of God's provision. The Greek word "pas" is used here, meaning "all" or "every." This indicates that there is no aspect of life where God's grace is insufficient. For the early Christians, this would have been a reminder that God's provision covers every area of their lives, whether spiritual, physical, or emotional. at all times
This phrase highlights the constancy and reliability of God's provision. The Greek "pantote" means "always" or "at all times." This assurance would have been particularly meaningful in a historical context where believers faced uncertainty and instability. It reinforces the idea that God's grace is not sporadic but is consistently available to His people. having all that you need
The Greek word for "need" is "autarkeia," which implies sufficiency or contentment. This phrase assures believers that God will provide everything necessary for their well-being and service. In the historical context of the Corinthian church, this would have been a call to trust in God's provision rather than relying on their own resources or the wealth of the world. you will abound in every good work
The word "abound" here is again "perisseuo," indicating an overflow. The phrase "every good work" suggests that the purpose of God's abundant grace is to equip believers for service. In the scriptural context, this is a call to action, encouraging believers to use the grace they have received to perform good works. Historically, this would have been a powerful motivator for the Corinthian church to engage in acts of charity and service, reflecting the love and generosity of God to the world around them. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth to encourage generosity and faithfulness in giving. 2. CorinthA major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and commerce, but also for its moral challenges. The church in Corinth faced various issues, including divisions and misunderstandings about Christian living. 3. The Corinthian ChurchThe recipients of this letter, they were a diverse group of believers who needed guidance on how to live out their faith practically, including in the area of giving. 4. GodThe ultimate provider and source of grace, who empowers believers to do good works. 5. The Jerusalem CollectionThe context of this passage involves a collection being taken for the impoverished church in Jerusalem, highlighting the theme of generosity. Teaching Points God's Abundant GraceGod's grace is not limited; it is abundant and sufficient for every need. Believers can trust in His provision for all aspects of life. Purpose of ProvisionGod's provision is not just for personal comfort but to enable believers to abound in good works. Our resources should be used to further God's kingdom. Faith in ActionTrue faith is demonstrated through action. As recipients of God's grace, believers are called to be active participants in good works. Generosity as WorshipGiving is an act of worship and a reflection of God's generosity towards us. It is a tangible expression of faith and trust in God's provision. Living with ContentmentUnderstanding that God provides all we need should lead to contentment and a focus on spiritual rather than material wealth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God's ability to provide influence your approach to giving and generosity? 2. In what ways can you ensure that you are abounding in good works in your daily life? 3. How does the promise of God's provision in 2 Corinthians 9:8 encourage you in times of need or uncertainty? 4. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate faith through action in your community? 5. How can you cultivate a heart of contentment and trust in God's provision, as encouraged by this passage and related scriptures? Connections to Other Scriptures Philippians 4:19This verse also speaks of God's provision, assuring believers that God will meet all their needs according to His riches in glory. Ephesians 2:10Connects to the idea of believers being created for good works, which God prepared in advance for them to do. Matthew 6:33Encourages seeking first the kingdom of God, with the promise that all necessary things will be added to believers. James 1:17Reminds us that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. People Corinthians, Macedonians, PaulPlaces Achaia, Corinth, MacedoniaTopics Able, Abound, Abundance, All-sufficiency, Always, Ample, Bestow, Blessing, Cause, Deed, Enjoying, Full, Gift, Grace, Gracious, Measure, Provide, Richly, Sufficiency, Towards, WorksDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Corinthians 9:8 1105 God, power of
5582 tiredness
6671 grace, and Christian life
6746 sanctification, means and results
8442 good works 2 Corinthians 9:5-9 8262 generosity, human 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 1330 God, the provider
4510 sowing and reaping
5556 stewardship
6710 privileges 2 Corinthians 9:6-13 5856 extravagance 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 5503 rich, the 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 5325 gifts 2 Corinthians 9:8-14 4035 abundance Library December 25 Evening
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.--II COR 9:15. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.--For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathGod's Unspeakable Gift
'Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.'--2 COR. ix. 15. It seems strange that there should ever have been any doubt as to what gift it is which evokes this burst of thanksgiving. There is but one of God's many mercies which is worthy of being thus singled out. There is one blazing central sun which shines out amidst all the galaxy of lights which fill the heavens. There is one gift of God which, beyond all others, merits the designation of 'unspeakable.' The gift of Christ draws all other …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Praise for the Gift of Gifts
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."--2 Corinthians 9:15. IN the chapter from which my text is taken, Paul is stirring up the Christians at Corinth to be ready with liberal gifts for the poor saints at Jerusalem. He finishes by reminding them of a greater gift that any they could bring, and by this one short word of praise, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift," he sets all their hearts a-singing. Let men give as liberally as they may, you can always proclaim the value of their …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892 3D Day. All-Sufficient Grace.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."--2 COR. ix. 8. All-Sufficient Grace. "All-sufficiency in all things!" Believer! surely thou art "thoroughly furnished!" Grace is no scanty thing, doled out in pittances. It is a glorious treasury, which the key of prayer can always unlock, but never empty. A fountain, "full, flowing, ever flowing, overflowing." Mark these three …
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser Letter Lviii to the Duchess of Lorraine
To the Duchess of Lorraine He thanks her for kindnesses shown, and deters her from an unjust war. I thank God for your pious goodwill which I know that you have towards Him and His servants. For whenever the tiniest little spark of heavenly love is kindled in a worldly heart ennobled with earthly honours, that, without doubt, is God's gift, not man's virtue. For our part we are very glad to avail ourselves of the kind offers made to us of your bounty in your letter. But having heard of the sudden …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux 1872-1874. Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher --Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool --Letter to Mrs. Merry --Letter from Canada --Miss
Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher--Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool--Letter to Mrs. Merry--Letter from Canada--Miss Macpherson's return to England-- Letter of cheer for Dr. Barnardo--Removal to Hackney Home. Though human praise is not sought, we cannot but feel peculiar pleasure in giving the following testimony from a servant of the Lord so much revered as the Rev, A. M. W. Christopher of Oxford:-- "Of all the works of Christian benevolence which the great …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Perhaps There is no Book Within the Whole Canon of Scripture So Perplexing and Anomalous...
Perhaps there is no book within the whole canon of Scripture so perplexing and anomalous, at first sight, as that entitled "Ecclesiastes." Its terrible hopelessness, its bold expression of those difficulties with which man is surrounded on every side, the apparent fruitlessness of its quest after good, the unsatisfactory character, from a Christian standpoint, of its conclusion: all these points have made it, at one and the same time, an enigma to the superficial student of the Word, and the arsenal …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate;
OR, THE COMMUNION OF COMMUNICATION. I would cause Thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate."--Song of Solomon viii. 2.And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."--John i. 16. THE SPICED WINE OF MY POMEGRANATE. THE immovable basis of communion having been laid of old in the eternal union which subsisted between Christ and His elect, it only needed a fitting occasion to manifest itself in active development. The Lord Jesus had for ever delighted Himself with the …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come Meditations of the State of a Christian Reconciled to God in Christ,
Now let us see how happy a godly man is in his state of renovation, being reconciled to God in Christ. The godly man whose corrupt nature is renewed by grace in Christ and become a new creature, is blessed in a threefold respect--First, in his life; Secondly, in his death; Thirdly, after death. I. His blessedness during his life is but in part, and that consists in seven things:-- 1. Because he is conceived of the Spirit (John iii. 5), and is born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Church of Christ. "It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is ruth."--1 John v. 6. We now proceed to discuss the work of the Holy Spirit wrought in the Church of Christ. Altho the Son of God has had a Church in the earth from the beginning, yet the Scripture distinguishes between its manifestation before and after Christ. As the acorn, planted in the ground, exists, altho it passes through the two periods of germinating and rooting, and of growing upward and forming trunk and …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Perseverance Proved.
2. I REMARK, that God is able to preserve and keep the true saints from apostacy, in consistency with their liberty: 2 Tim. i. 12: "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Here the apostle expresses the fullest confidence in the ability of Christ to keep him: and indeed, as has been said, it is most manifest that the apostles expected …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Sunday after Ascension Day
Text: First Peter 4, 7-11.[1] 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: 8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves: for love covereth a multitude of sins: 9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring: 10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; 11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Links 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV2 Corinthians 9:8 NASB2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV
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