• II Corinthians 9:7
    • Read the text!
    • Read the context
      • This is a letter written by Paul to the church in Corinth.
      • The context doesn’t mention money directly. Paul refers to their giving as a “bountiful gift” or “a service.”
    • Compare translations
    • Greek – define key words
      • Grudgingly - 3383 λύπη (lyp__ē) – regret, sadness, or being overcome with grief
      • Compulsion - 340 ἀνάγκη (anagk__ē) – trouble, complete obligation, or inevitability
      • Cheerful - 2659 ἱλαρός (hilaros) – happy, cheerful, without grudging
    • Figures of speech
      • “in his heart” – metonymy for a person’s mind
        • Matthew 22:35; 18:35; 15:8 – many passages in the Bible refer to the state of a person’s heart
    • Harmonize with other verses
      • Deuteronomy 15:10; I Chronicles 29:17; Romans 12:8; Exodus 15:2
      • Romans 12:8
      • II Corinthians 8:12
      • Matthew 6:3 – don’t give to show off
      • Luke 6:38 – God blesses the generous
      • I Corinthians 16:2 – Give every Sunday
      • Acts 11:29 – give according to ability
    • Commentaries, articles, and sermons
      • If you sow much, you will reap much, so give cheerfully. Some churches use this passage to compel their members to give more, which is against this passage!
    • Conclusion and application
      • I must be cheerful and happy to give whatever I can. I must not begrudge my responsibility and be happy in whatever way I can help my brethren.