2 Corinthians 9:11

What does 2 Corinthians 9:11 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 9:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 9:11 means

God enriches believers “in everything” so they can practice “all liberality,” and this, channeled through Paul’s team, results in “thanksgiving to God.” The point of enrichment is not self-exaltation but increased generosity. The outcome is worship: recipients bless God for the kindness that reached them. Paul sees himself and his coworkers as a conduit—gifts flow through their hands to others, and praise flows back to God. Thus, generosity creates a doxological loop: God supplies; believers give; needs are met; God is thanked. In this way, giving serves both practical relief and the public honor of God’s name.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Your wealth being increased in everything, with a simple mind, causing praise to God through us.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

in every thing being enriched to all liberality, which doth work through us thanksgiving to God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

enriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality, which works through us thanksgiving toGod.

Context

Verse 10 promised supply and multiplication. Now verse 11 shows the immediate effect—liberality—and its ultimate aim—thanksgiving to God. Paul is preparing for verses 12–13, which broaden the impact: the service meets needs and causes many thanksgivings, proving the genuineness of the Corinthians’ confession of the gospel of Christ. Then verse 14 notes the reciprocal bond of prayer and affection. The sequence highlights the multi-directional blessings of generosity: provision, liberality, praise, proof of faith, and deepened fellowship between givers and receivers.

v.10And 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:

v.11This passage

v.12For 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;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:2

    how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

  • Proverbs 3:9

    Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase:

  • 2 Corinthians 9:12

    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;

  • 2 Corinthians 1:11

    ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf.

  • Romans 12:8

    or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:15

    For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.

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