Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 9:15

What does 2 Corinthians 9:15 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 9:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 9:15 means

Paul ends with a doxology: “Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.” The greatest gift defies full description. While the chapter speaks of money and mercy, Paul lifts their eyes to God’s supreme generosity, which the New Testament reveals supremely in Christ and the salvation He brings. Every act of Christian giving flows from and points back to this gift. By ending in worship, Paul reminds them that generosity is not about human virtue but divine grace. The church’s gifts are small streams fed by God’s vast river of mercy, and gratitude is the right response.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Praise be to God for what he has given, which words have no power to say.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

thanks also to God for His unspeakable gift!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Thanks [be] toGod for his unspeakable free gift.

Context

After describing the many benefits of the collection—preparedness, cheerful purpose, divine provision, needs met, praise multiplied, faith proved, and love deepened—Paul ends where all Christian generosity begins and ends: with gratitude to God for His incomparable gift. This doxology crowns the chapter and ties the whole appeal to the gospel. The focus shifts from the Corinthians’ gift to God’s grace, ensuring that the motive and glory remain with Him. This conclusion also bridges naturally to broader reflections on God’s work as Paul continues his letter.

v.14while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

v.15This passage

Cross references

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

  • 1 John 4:9

    Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.

  • Romans 5:15

    But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many.

  • John 3:16

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:8

    O give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known his doings among the peoples.

  • Isaiah 9:6

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

  • Isaiah 49:6

    yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

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