2 Corinthians 9:7

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
English Standard Version (ESV)
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
New Living Translation (NLT)
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
The Message Bible (MSG)
7 I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
American Standard Version (ASV)
7 [Let] each man [do] according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
7 Each of you should give whatever you have decided. You shouldn't be sorry that you gave or feel forced to give, since God loves a cheerful giver.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart-not out of regret or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
7 You should each give what you have decided in your heart to give. You shouldn't give if you don't want to. You shouldn't give because you are forced to. God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart
Which is not to be understood of the quantity, or any set sum he has fixed upon in his mind to give; but of the quality or nature of giving; or of the manner in which he is to give:

so let him give;
of his own will and free choice, from his very heart; not as directed and forced by others, but according to his own counsel and determination:

not grudgingly;
or not of grief; with pain and uneasiness of mind, grieving at parting with what is given, reflecting on the persons that move him to it, or on the objects moved for. The Jews F7 reckon this the lowest degree of all in giving alms; "when a man gives to anyone" (bueb) , "with grief", to which the apostle seems to refer: who adds,

or of necessity;
of force, by coaction, being obliged to it by the influence, example, or commands of superiors; or through the powerful motives, or prevailing entreaties of others; for without these, men, according to their abilities, should give of themselves freely and liberally:

for God loveth a cheerful giver;
or one that gives (twpy Mynp rbob) , "with a cheerful countenance", as the Jews F8 say; or as elsewhere {i}, "with a cheerful heart": their rule is this,

``he that doth the commandment, i.e. alms, let him do it (xmv blb) , "with a cheerful heart".''

Who looks pleasantly on the person or persons that move him to it, or on the object to whom he gives; who parts with his money willingly, and takes delight in doing good to others; such givers God loves: not that their cheerful beneficence is the cause of his special peculiar love to them in his own heart, which arises from nothing in man, or done by him; but the meaning is, that God does well to such persons; shows his love to them; he lets them know how kindly he takes such acts of theirs, by prospering and succeeding them in their worldly affairs. In the Septuagint in ( Proverbs 22:8 ) are these words, "God blesses a cheerful man, and a giver", which the apostle refers to.


FOOTNOTES:

F7 Maimon. Mattanot Anayim, c. 10. sect. 14.
F8 Maimon. Mattanot Anayim, c. 10. sect. 13.
F9 Vajikra Rabba, fol. 174. 1. Parash. 34.

2 Corinthians 9:7 In-Context

5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

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Cross References 3

  • 1. Exodus 25:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12
  • 2. Deuteronomy 15:10
  • 3. Romans 12:8
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