2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Study Guide
October 11, 2019

INTRODUCTION

This inductive Bible study is designed to walk you through a particular passage and help you study it thoroughly. It is divided into five parts or “steps” which will guide you from a larger, broader perspective down to a more narrow, tightened understanding of the text. This guide also contains additional components, such as Going Deeper and Further Study, to help you as you work through the text.

1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE
2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE
3. FOCUSING ON KEY WORDS
4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE
5. APPLYING THE TEXT

Beginning with the day after your growth group meets, we encourage you to get alone with God and follow the instructions provided in this guide. Each step has specific guidelines followed by questions. We trust if you faithfully use this study to meet with the LORD each day not only will your personal walk with the LORD grow deeper but your growth group experience will be enhanced as well.

This week we travel back to 2 Corinthians and take a look at the subject of a cheerful giver. In 2 Corinthians Paul spends much time explaining and defending his ministry and apostleship, while encouraging the believers in the midst of suffering. Paul also encourages the Corinthian believers to continue to support the Christians in Jerusalem.

In chapter 9 verses 9-15 Paul employs the agricultural metaphor of sowing and reaping to underscore his point regarding generous giving. Paul drives home the truth that God is the one who enriches His people in every way for generous giving, so they therefore, should give generously (vs.6-10). The ultimate result of such generous giving is the enhancement of the unity of the church (vs. 11-14). Most importantly, in verse 15 Paul alludes to an “indescribable gift”, which in light of chapter 8:9 can only be explained as Jesus Christ.

1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE

Discovering the Passage seeks to get an overall idea of the meaning of the passage. Think bigpicture. Pray for God to open your eyes to the meaning of Scripture.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 three times

• First, read for general understanding of the passage
• Second, read looking for major themes
• Third, read trying to discern the main idea

Now, prayerfully and meditatively, answer the following questions below
Questions

  1. First, read for context 2 Corinthians 8 and 9.

  2. After reading through 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, what is (are) the primary issue(s) Paul is addressing in this passage?

  3. What truths about God do you see in this passage?

  4. How does Paul describe giving?

  5. According to verse 11, what does our generous giving ultimately produce? How does it produce thanksgiving in the heart of both the giver and the receiver?

  6. What is the inexpressible gift of verse 15?( See 2 Cor 8:9) What is the connection between God’s generous gift in verse 15, and the spirit of generosity Paul expresses in this passage?

2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE

Identifying the Structure seeks to gain insight into why the author wrote the way he did. Try to think like the author. Pray for God to give you insight into the writing of the Scriptures.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 again*, looking for*:

• any connecting words in the passage (so that, for, because, etc.)
• the different types of sentences used (commands, questions, statements, rebukes, etc.)
• the divisions in the text (I.e. paragraphs, sentence breaks, etc.)

Now, prayerfully answer the questions below.

Questions

  1. After reading 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 how would you structure or divide this passage?

  2. Based on those divisions, what are the main ideas of each?

  3. Verse 9 quotes Psalm 112:9. The subject of Psalm 112 is the man who fears the Lord. How does this quotation support the passage?

  4. How does Paul encourage the generosity of the Corinthians according to verse 6? Verse 7? Verses 8-10? Verse 11-12? Verse 13-15?

  5. Paul’s usage of “so that” in verse 8 indicates a purpose statement. What is the purpose of God being able to make all grace abound to believers? What is the connection to verse 6? Summarize in your own words.

3. FOCUSING ON KEY WORDS

Focusing on Key Words seeks to identify and contemplate the use and meaning of specific words or concepts within the text. Pray for God to open your eyes to words and concepts you’ve never seen before or have overlooked.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 again, paying attention to:

- repeated and/or emphasized words or names
- verbs (specifically those with unusual tenses)
- cross-references
- major themes

Now prayerfully answer the questions below

Questions

  1. How does Paul’s use of the agricultural metaphor of sowing and reaping illustrate how our giving impacts the kingdom of God?

  2. In verses 8 and 11, how many times do the words “all” and “every” appear? What is the significance of using these words when speaking of God’s grace?

GOING DEEPER: SERVANTS AND STEWARDS

In 2 Corinthians 9:13, Paul mentions “the generosity of your contribution” (ESV), which refers to the Corinthians’ financial giving. The word “contribution” translates the Greek term “koinōnia,” which is often translated as “fellowship” in other parts of Scripture. Koin.nia is used in the Bible to speak of the close relationship, participation, and mutual partnership that Christians share with each other as a result of being saved and adopted into the family of God (1 John 1:3). This hallmark of Christian fellowship and sharing is most notably seen in the accounts of early church life in passages like Acts 2:42, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship [koinōnia].” The early Christians shared life together and contributed to meeting one another’s material needs (Acts 2:45). In 2 Corinthians 9:13, Paul is using “contribution [koinōnia]” to refer to the generous sharing of financial resources for God’s purposes in the local church. Generously contributing to the financial needs of the saints is to be normal Christian behavior that flows out of a grateful heart. Hebrews 13:16 thus exhorts believers, “Do not neglect to do good and to share [koinōnia] what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

  1. What does Paul’s use of “all” and “every” communicate about the nature of our giving?

  2. What are the two outcomes of ministry and service in the church from verse 12?

FURTHER STUDY

  1. In verse 10, Paul draws from Isaiah 55:10 and Hosea 10:12, both refer to the provision of God’s word for redemption. How does this inform our understanding of “increase the harvest of your righteousness”?

4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE

Connecting to the Whole seeks to become aware of how key concepts and themes are seen elsewhere in Scripture. This is allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Pray for God to help you see how this passage connects to the rest of the Bible.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 again, paying attention to how it builds and draws on other places in Scripture. Look for:

- common people, places, or ideas found other places in the Bible
- similar stories or phrases
- cross references

Now prayerfully and meditatively answer the questions below

Questions

  1. In our society we so often believe that it is the individual who learns a skill, an occupation, or a profession; then goes out and earns a salary to be used as they choose. Verses 10-11 teach otherwise– Read 1 Chronicles 29:10 - 13; 1 Timothy 6:17 - 19, and 1 Cor. 16:1. Summarize what is taught in these passages.

  2. What are the stipulations for giving that God gives in Deuteronomy 15: 10-11? How is this influencing what Paul says in verse 7 of 2 Corinthians 9?

  3. In verse 8 God’s promise to a cheerful giver is to supply their own needs, and as well supply abundantly so that one may abundantly give to others. Faith and obedience are required of the believer in regard to giving. See Philippians 4:15 - 19 for an example of this truth in the life of the church in Philippi. What truths do you see in this passage?

  1. Read Matthew 6:19-21, according to 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 how is one to store up for them.selves treasures in heaven?

FURTHER STUDY

  1. Verse 7: We have often heard that giving in the Old Testament was law dictated, and in the New Testament it is grace motivated. Is this what is really taught? See Exodus 25:2; Deuteronomy 15:7 - 10; 1 Chronicles 29:9, 17; and Mt. 22:37-40.

  2. Does this text and others negate the concept of the tithe? (Are we free to not give?)

5. APPLYING THE TEXT

Applying the Text seeks to see people changed as the Word of God is brought to bear in the lives of individuals and communities (growth groups). Pray for God to reveal to you where you need to change and have the courage to take action.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 again and:

  • write down any unanswered questions that remain
  • write a paraphrase, in your own words, of the passage
  • decide on an action step as a response of obedience to the passage (I.e. make a lost friend with which to share the gospel, commit to praying with your spouse 10 minutes a day, etc.)

Now, prayerfully answer the questions below

Questions

  1. How do you personally struggle with giving?

  2. What does a lack of generosity toward others reveal about your understanding of God’s generosity toward you?

  3. Beyond finances, in what ways can you live generously personally? As a growth group?

  4. How (cheerfully or begrudgingly) will you give on Exponential Sunday?

  5. What are some of the motivations that Paul gives to the Corinthians for sowing bountifully?

  6. In what ways must a reader from our context (think time and place) be careful in reading this passage, which deals with generosity, God’s supply, and abundance?

FURTHER STUDY

  1. Missionary Jim Elliott said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” How does this outlook and this passage challenge how you spend, save, or invest money? How you spend your time?

  2. What are the defining marks of a financially generous Christian? Make a list and note the areas where you may need to prayerfully improve.