Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 9:8

What does 2 Corinthians 9:8 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 9:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 9:8 means

Paul assures them that God can cause “all grace” to overflow to them, so they will “always” have “all sufficiency in everything,” enabling them to “abound to every good work.” The emphasis is on God’s capacity, not human resources. Sufficiency means enough for contented living and generous serving. This is a promise of provision for mission, not indulgence. God’s grace does not make givers empty; it equips them to keep giving. The circle of grace continues: as God supplies, believers steward, good works abound, and God’s generosity is mirrored in His people, sustaining a life of faithful liberality.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And God is able to give you all grace in full measure; so that ever having enough of all things, you may be full of every good work:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and God <FI>is<Fi> able all grace to cause to abound to you, that in every thing always all sufficiency having, ye may abound to every good work,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God is able to make all grace abound in you: that ye always, having all sufficiently in all things, may abound to every good work,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

ButGod is able to make every gracious gift abound towards you, that, having in every way always all-sufficiency, ye may abound to every good work:

Context

Verse 7 highlighted cheerful, willing giving. Verse 8 anchors that cheerfulness in God’s abundant grace and sufficiency. Paul now supports this assurance by appealing to Scripture in verse 9, showing that generous care for the poor is the enduring mark of the righteous. Then verses 10–11 elaborate how God supplies seed and multiplies the fruit of righteousness. The progression builds confidence: the call to give is backed by God’s character and promises, witnessed in Scripture and experienced through God’s ongoing provision for generous living.

v.7Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

v.8This passage

v.9as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever.

Cross references

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

  • Haggai 2:8

    The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith Jehovah of hosts.

  • 1 Peter 4:10

    according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:17

    comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

  • Proverbs 11:24

    There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.

  • Titus 3:14

    And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

  • Ephesians 2:10

    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

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