2 Corinthians 9 · Verse 2

2 Corinthians 9:2

For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
2 Corinthians 9:2, King James Version

2 Corinthians 9:2 in other translations

BSBFor I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
WEBfor I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to those of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for the past year. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
ASVfor I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them.
YLTfor I have known your readiness of mind, which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians, that Achaia hath been prepared a year ago, and the zeal of you did stir up the more part,
DARBYFor I know your readiness, which I boast of as respects you to Macedonians, that Achaia is prepared since a year ago, and the zeal reported of you has stimulated the mass of the brethren.
BBEFor I have before made clear to those of Macedonia my pride in your ready mind, saying to them that Achaia has been ready for a year back; and a great number have been moved to do the same by your example.
WebsterFor I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath incited very many.

What does 2 Corinthians 9:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. ready a year ago--to send off the money, owing to the apostle's former exhortation (1Co 16:1, 2). your zeal--Greek, "the zeal from you," that is, on your part; propagated from you to others. provoked--that is, stimulated. very many--Greek, "the greater number," namely, of the Macedonians.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 2. For I know the forwardness of your mind. I know your promptitude, or your readiness to do it. See 2Cor 8:10. Probably Paul here means that he had had opportunity before of witnessing their readiness to do good, and that he had learned in particular of Titus that they had formed the plan to aid in this contribution.

For which I boast of you to them of Macedonia. To the church in Macedonia. See 2Cor 8:1. So well assured was he that the church at Corinth would make the collection as it had proposed, that he boasted of it to the churches of Macedonia as if it were already done, and made use of this as an argument to stimulate them to make an effort.

That Achaia was ready a year ago. Achaia was that part of Greece of which Corinth was the capital. Acts 18:12. It is probable that there were Christians in other parts of Achaia besides Corinth, and indeed it is known that there was a church in Cenchrea, (see Rom 16:1,) which was one of the ports of Corinth. Though the contribution would be chiefly derived from Corinth, yet it is, probable that, the others also would participate in it. The phrase was ready means that they had been preparing themselves for this collection, and doubtless Paul had stated that the collection was already made and was waiting. He had directed them (1Cor 16:1) to make it on the first day of the week, and to lay it by in store, and he did not doubt that they had complied with his request.

And your zeal. Your ardour and promptitude. The readiness with which you entered into this subject, and your desire to relieve the wants of others.

Hath provoked. Has roused, excited, impelled to give. We use the word provoke commonly now in the sense of to irritate, but in the Scriptures it is confined to the signification of exciting, or rousing. The ardour of the Corinthians would excite others, not only by their promptitude, but because Corinth was a splendid city, and their example would be looked up to by Christians at a distance. This is one instance of the effect which will be produced by the example of a church in a city.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 I know the forwardness of your mind - You have already firmly purposed to contribute to the support of the poor and suffering saints. That Achaia was ready a year ago - The whole of the Morea was anciently called Achaia, the capital of which was Corinth. The apostle means, not only Corinth, but other Churches in different parts about Corinth; we know there was a Church at Cenchrea, one of the ports on the Corinthian Isthmus. Your zeal hath provoked very many - Hearing that the Corinthians were so intent on the relief of the sufferers in Palestine, other Churches, and especially they of Macedonia, came forward the more promptly and liberally.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9:1-5

When we would have others do good, we must act toward them prudently and tenderly, and give them time. Christians should consider what is for the credit of their profession, and endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. The duty of ministering to the saints is so plain, that there would seem no need to exhort Christians to it; yet self-love contends so powerfully against the love of Christ…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 →

2 Corinthians 9:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οἶδαoidaI know
γὰρgarforG1063
τὴνtēntheG3588
προθυμίανprothumianreadinessG4288
ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771
ἣνhēnwhichG3739
ὑπὲρhuperconcerningG5228
ὑμῶνhumōnyouG4771
καυχῶμαιkauchōmaiI boast ofG2744
Μακεδόσιν,Makedosinto Macedonians,G3110
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἈχαΐαAchaiaAchaiaG882
παρεσκεύασταιpareskeuastaihas prepared itselfG3903
ἀπὸapofromG575
πέρυσι,perusia year ago,G4070
καὶkaiandG2532
τὸto<the>G3588
ὑμῶνhumōnyourG4771
ζῆλοςzēloszealG2205
ἠρέθισενērethisenhas been provokingG2042
τοὺςtoustheG3588
πλείονας.pleionasgreater number.G4119

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 9:2

  • 2 Corinthians 8:10

    And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:8

    I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:24

    Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:15

    I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

  • Hebrews 10:24

    And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

  • 2 Corinthians 8:19

    And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:7

    So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:4

    Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

  • Acts 18:12

    And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

  • 2 Corinthians 1:1

    Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the forwardness.
8:8,10,19; 1Th 1:7
I boast.
8:24
that.
1:1; 8:10; 1Co 16:15
provoked.
8:8; Heb 10:24

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 9:1

    For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

  • 2 Corinthians 9:2

    For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:3

    Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

Read all of 2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Pues conozco vuestro pronto ánimo, del cual me glorío yo entre los de Macedonia, que Acaya está apercibida desde el año pasado; y vuestro ejemplo ha estimulado á muchos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car je connais votre promptitude, au sujet de laquelle je me glorifie de vous auprès des Macédoniens, leur disant que l’Achaïe est prête dès l’année passée; et le zèle de chez vous a excité la généralité des frères;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ich kenne eure Geneigtheit, deren ich mich eurethalben rühme gegen die Macedonier, daß Achaja bereit gewesen ist seit vorigem Jahre; und der von euch ausgegangene Eifer hat viele angereizt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Scio enim promptum animum vestrum: pro quo de vobis glorior apud Macedones. Quoniam et Achaia parata est ab anno præterito, et vestra æmulatio provocavit plurimos.