2-Corinthians - 9:12



12 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;

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of 2-Corinthians 9:12.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God;
Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord,
Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God;
because the ministration of this service not only is supplying the wants of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
For the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings to God;
For the service rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people, but it is also rich in its results and awakens a chorus of thanksgiving to God.
For this work of giving not only takes care of the needs of the saints, but is the cause of much praise to God;
For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God;
For the ministration of this office not only supplies whatever the saints need, but also abounds through many thanksgivings in the Lord.
For the rendering of a public service such as this, not only relieves the needs of your fellow Christians, but also results in the offering to God of many a thanksgiving.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

For the administration of this service - The distribution of this proof of your liberality. The word "service" here, says Doddridge, intimates that this was to be regarded not merely as an act of humanity, but religion.
The want of the saints - Of the poor Christians in Judea on whose behalf it was contributed.
But is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God - Will abound unto God in producing thanksgivings. The result will be that it will produce abundant thanksgiving in their hearts to God.

For the administration of this service - The poor are relieved, see the hand of God in this relief, and give God the glory of his grace.

(3) For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
(3) Another excellent and double fruit of liberality towards the saints is this, that it gives occasion to praise God, and that our faith also is by it made manifest.

For the administration of this service,.... Not only by the Corinthians, and others, in giving and collecting, but by the apostles in ministering and distributing their contributions to the poor saints, produced these two very good effects: for it
not only supplieth the wants of the saints; makes up their deficiencies, relieves their necessities, and furnishes them with what is comfortable and refreshing to them under their many sorrowful circumstances, which is answering a very valuable end:
but is abundant also by many thanks givings to God; it has over and above this excellency in it, or its excellent use is enhanced, and abundantly appears by this consideration; that many precious souls are sent hereby to the throne of grace to give thanks to God, who put it into the hearts of the apostles to move the churches on their behalf, and who wrought upon them so cheerfully and largely to contribute to their necessities.

Greek, "The ministration of this public service (on your part) is not only still further supplying the wants of the saints (besides the supplies from other quarters), but is abounding also (namely, in respect to relieving the necessities of others in poverty) through many thanksgivings to God."

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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