2 Corinthians 9:10
What does 2 Corinthians 9:10 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 9:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 9:10 means
God, who provides both seed for sowing and bread for eating, will also “supply and multiply your seed for sowing” and “increase the fruits of your righteousness.” He is the Source of resources and the One who enlarges their impact. Paul envisions a cycle: God supplies; believers sow generously; God multiplies capacity and outcomes; righteousness bears visible fruit in mercy and good works. The promise is not mere material accumulation, but expanded stewardship and spiritual harvest. The giver’s basket is refilled for more sowing, and the character of Christlikeness—practical righteousness—ripens, blessing others and magnifying God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he who gives seed for putting into the field and bread for food, will take care of the growth of your seed, at the same time increasing the fruits of your righteousness;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and may He who is supplying seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he that ministereth seed to the sower will both give you bread to eat and will multiply your seed and increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:
Context
Having cited Scripture (v. 9), Paul now personalizes God’s provision to the Corinthians’ situation. He applies the seed-and-bread image to their giving: God will both supply and multiply. Verse 11 continues this line, showing that such enrichment leads to generosity and results in thanksgiving to God through Paul’s ministry team. The flow is deliberate: from Scripture’s testimony to God’s present action, and from provision to praise. The Corinthians can give confidently, knowing their resources and the effects of their gifts are under God’s gracious hand.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 1:11
being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
- Isaiah 55:10
For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
- 2 Corinthians 9:6
But thisI say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:12
and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;
- Hosea 10:12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek Jehovah, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
- Proverbs 11:18
The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
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