2 Corinthians 9

encourage
Though many translations have “urge” here, this translation renders the Greek verb παρακαλέω (parakaleō) with “encourage.” Terms sharing the root of this word appear 18 times throughout 2 Corinthains, mostly with the sense of “comforting” or “encouraging,” though sometimes “pleading.” Because of this letter’s emphasis on comfort and encouragment, the sense of the term here is best taken as “encourage” the brothers rather than “urge” them (cf. 2:8; 8:6; 12:18). Here, Paul sees fit to encourage some brothers to go and help the Corinthians prepare their contribution for the saints.

blessing
While many translations have “gift” or “generous gift” here, the Greek word Paul employs is εὐλογίαν (eulogian), the regular term for “blessing.” With this language of “blessing” (continued in v. 6), it seems likely that Paul has Proverbs 22:9 in mind, where God promises that the one who gives generously “will be blessed.” In fact, the LXX/OG translation of Proverbs 22:9 uses the same Greek terminolgy as Paul in verse 7 below in describing a “cheerful giver” (Prov 22:9: ἄνδρα ἱλαρὸν καὶ δότην εὐλογεῖ ὁ θεός; andra hilaron kai dotēn eulogei ho theos; 2 Cor 9:7: ἱλαρὸν γὰρ δότην ἀγαπᾷ ὁ θεός; hilaron gar dotēn agapa ho theos). In Proverbs 22:9, this “cheerful giver” is blessed by God. Below in verse 7 he is loved by God. Thus, in verses 5–7 here, Paul is elaborating this Scriptural principle of God’s blessing and love for those who give from a desire to bless rather than from compulsion. The literal translation with “blessing” helps the reader to see these connections more clearly in English.

begrudging obligation
The words “begrudging obligation” translate πλεονεξίαν (pleonexian) which is the Greek term usually used to describe “greediness” or “covetousness.” In the present context, Paul uses this term to warn the Corinthians against greedily coveting their own belongings, since then their gift would be from an attitude of miserliness or begrudging. They would give the gift, but would part with it in a begrudging manner because of their greed. Thus, the translation here as “begrudging obligation” best communicates Paul’s intent here in English.

blessing
Refer to the discussion on verse 5 above. The theme of “blessing” is especially important here as Paul likely has in mind not only the maxim of Proverbs 22:9 of blessing upon the cheerful giver but also the Scriptural promise that those who bless Israel will be blessed (cf. Gen 12:3; 27:29; Num 24:9). Here, the Corinthians have the opportunity to bless true Israel (i.e., the Jewish saints) with their generous gift and thus also reap blessing for themselves by so doing.

generosity
The Greek word ἁπλότης (apolotēs) used here communicates the idea sincerity, integrity, and uprightness of motive. In contexts in which giving is involved, this implies the idea of generosity, not so much as a quantity but as a motive. Thus, Paul is speaking here of giving with a mindset that allows one to give freely and generously because one is not hindered by selfish motives. Paul uses this word in the same way in Romans 12:8 and in 2 Corinthians 8:2 and 9:13, where it is also consistently translated “generosity.” In contexts where giving is not involved, it is rendered as simplicity (2 Cor 11:3) or integrity (Eph 6:5; Col 3:22).

generosity
Refer to the discussion on verse 11 above.

on
This is translated as “grace of God on you” rather than “grace of God in you” to better convey the Greek preposition ἐπί (epi; “on” or “upon”). While the Corinthians’ contribution to the Jerusalem saints certainly evidences the work of God’s grace in them, the emphasis here is on the effect and response to God’s grace on them. Thus, generous giving here is seen as a response to God’s own generous gift of grace to them (see v. 15). Therefore, the Jerusalem saints will give thanks to the Lord and intercede for the Corinthians, not primarily because they themselves benefit from the gift (cf. Phil 4:17), but because they see behind it the marvelous grace of God showered even on the Corinthians who were Gentiles, yet included in God’s household. Thus, the emphasis, as communicated by this specific preposition, is on the grace of God on the Corinthians rather than the grace working in them, though the two are related.

Thanks
This is one of three instances in 2 Corinthians in which a word sharing the χάρις (charis) root is not translated with some form of the English word “grace” (refer to the discussion on 1:15; cf. 2:14; 8:16). This is because contextually, it is an expression of thanksgiving. Thankfulness aptly compliments grace as it is the appropriate response to receiving grace. In Greek, this is more evident because the words for “grace” and “thanks” share the same root (χάρις; charis). Because English does not have the same advantage, “thanks” is used in cases like this to give the best contextual meaning possible in English, allowing the reader to discern the inherent connection between grace and gratefulness.