So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
Parallel translations
- WEB For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;
- KJV For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
- BSB For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
- NKJV For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
- NASB For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
This service both meets the material needs of the saints and overflows in many thanksgivings to God. Giving accomplishes a double good: relief and worship.
Overview
Paul highlights two effects of the collection: it supplies what the Jerusalem saints lack, and it multiplies expressions of gratitude to God. Practical aid and spiritual worship are intertwined. Christian charity is never merely social; it draws hearts upward in praise to the Lord who prompts and supplies it.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 2 Cor 8:14–15but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality.
- Phlm 1:4–7I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
- Phil 2:25But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need;
- Jas 2:14–16What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?
- 1 Jn 3:17But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?
- Phil 4:18–19But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
- 2 Cor 8:4begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.
- 2 Cor 1:11you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift given to us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf.
- 2 Cor 9:1It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 9:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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