II Corinthians 9:8
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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.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
God is able to make all grace abound - We have already seen, Co2 8:1 that the word χαρις, in the connection in which the apostle uses it in these chapters, signifies a charitable gift; here it certainly has the same meaning: God is able to give you, in his mercy, abundance of temporal good; that, having a sufficiency, ye may abound in every good work. This refers to the sowing plenteously: those who do so shall reap plenteously - they shall have an abundance of God's blessings.
Open source ↗all grace--even in external goods, and even while ye bestow on others [BENGEL]. that--"in order that." God's gifts are bestowed on us, not that we may have them to ourselves, but that we may the more "abound in good works" to others. sufficiency--so as not to need the help of others, having yourselves from God "bread for your food" (Co2 9:10). in all things--Greek, "in everything." every good work--of charity to others, which will be "your seed sown" (Co2 9:10).
Open source ↗And God is able to make all grace abound towards you,.... By "all grace" is meant, not the love and favour of God, the source of all blessings enjoyed in time and eternity; nor the blessings of grace, the fruits of it; nor the Gospel which reveals them; nor the various graces of the Spirit implanted in regeneration; nor gifts of grace, fitting men for ministerial service; all which God is able to make to abound, and does, when he gives enlarged discoveries of his love, makes fresh applications of covenant grace, leads more fully into the knowledge of his Gospel, carries on the work of his grace in the soul, and calls forth grace into act and exercise, and increases gifts bestowed; nor even merely temporal blessings of every sort, which men are unworthy of, are all the gifts of his goodness, and are given to his people in a covenant way; and which he can, and often does increase: but by it is meant all that goodness, beneficence, and liberality exercised towards the poor members of Christ; God is able, and he will, and it ought to be believed that he will, cause to return with an increase, all that which is expended in relieving the necessities of the saints; that is not thrown away and lost, which is communicated to them, but shall be repaid with use and interest, be restored with abundance, any more than the seed which the husbandman casts into the earth; for as God is able, and has promised, and will, and does cause that to spring up again, and bring forth an abundant increase, so will he multiply the seed of beneficence, and increase the fruits of righteousness. This now contains a new argument to move to liberality, and an antidote against the fears of want, which persons are sometimes pressed with, and tend to prevent their bountiful acts of charity: that ye always…
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle seems to excuse his earnestness in pressing the Corinthians to the duty of charity (Co2 9:1-5), and proceeds to give directions about the acceptable way and manner of performing it, namely, bountifully, deliberately, and freely; and gives good encouragement for so doing (Co2 9:6 to the end).
Open source ↗9:8-9 As the Scriptures say: The quotation from Ps 112:9 supports the assurance that God, who provides for all human needs, will reward generosity.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,
The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.
The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the LORD of Hosts.
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;
And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.
But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.