Read 2 Cor. 9:1-7
- In the beginning of Chapter 9, Paul continues to speak to the Corinthians about the collecting of funds for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem, but rather than urging them to contribute, he speaks of the manner in which they give. The word translated “ministry” in verse 1 is the Greek word diakonia, and though it is most often translated “ministry” it is also translated “serving” in Luke 10:40, “relief” in Acts 11:29, and “service” in Rev. 2:19. Look up these verses. What insight do these translations give us into the concept of ministry?
a. When you give financially to the work of the Lord, do you consider it ministry? Why or why not?
b. When you serve others in ways other than financially, do you consider it giving? Why or why not?
- Read again through these verses in Chapter 9. Describe the manner in which Paul encourages us to give. Apply this instruction to both giving financially and giving by serving in other ways.
- Verse 6 also speaks of a reward for giving, and though gaining a reward is not our motivation for giving, what does it tell us about our God?
- In our lives today, what things might keep us from giving and serving in the way described by Paul? Do you think our culture’s influence affects us also? How?
- “Cheerful” in verse 7 comes from the same root word as our word “hilarious”. It is found only here in the New Testament. Describe this kind of giving.
Read 2 Cor. 9:8-11
- “God is able” is a huge statement. And though here he speaks of God’s ability to reward those who give with a right heart, knowing that God is able should affect every area of our Christian life. Why and how is this true?
2. The word “administration” in verse 12 is the same Greek word diakonia used in verse one of Verse 8 tells us that “God is able to make all grace abound toward you”. What is grace?
a. God’s abounding grace causes you to always have all sufficiency in all things. What does this mean? (“Sufficiency” can also be translated as “contentment” as in (1 Tim. 6:6).
b. Verse 8 says that we “may have an abundance for every good work”. An abundance of what? What does the word “abundance” indicate? what? What does the word “abundance” indicate?
3. Comment on this quote: We are blessed so that we can be a blessing to others. God wants us to be channels of blessing, not reservoirs of blessing. – Guzik
4. Verse 9 quotes Ps. 112:9. How does this quote relate to verse 8?
5. Verses 10 and 11 are presented as a prayer. What is the request being made? This answered prayer will result in what? This is a request that we would be wise to repeat!
Read 2 Cor. 9:12-14
1. The word “administration” in verse 12 is the same Greek word diakonia used in verse one of Chapter 9. Besides filling the needs of the saints in Jerusalem, what are the other results of this ministry found in verses 12-13?
2. At the end of verse 13 Paul uses the phrase “liberal sharing” to describe the giving of the Corinthians. The word translated “sharing” is the word “koinonia”. We see this word used in multiple settings in the New Testament. Consider this quote by Guzik:
· When we share our lives, koinonia is called fellowship.
· When we share remembrance of Jesus’ work for us through the Lord’s Supper, koinonia is called communion.
· When we share our resources so none would be destitute, koinonia is called sharing.
3. Using these uses of the word koinonia, describe the church. Does this describe your church experience? Why or why not?
4. In verse 14 we see one way that the saints in Jerusalem can repay or thank the Corinthians, as well as the other churches who have contributed toward their need: they can pray for them. Prayer too is a ministry that serves others. This is certainly another way we can serve the Lord through serving the church. We can pray, not only prayers of thanks, but prayers for the needs of the churches, for their pastors, for their blessings. Can you put this into practice now?
Read 2 Cor. 9:15
1. Paul ends this chapter reminding us of the greatest giver of all – God! What is this indescribable gift?
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!