• 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
    • Harmonize with other verses
    • 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.