2 Corinthians 9:8
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Immediately after commending cheerful giving, Paul assures the Corinthians that God is able to supply all they need so they can keep abounding in generosity.
What Does 2 Corinthians 9:8 Mean?
God is able to make all grace abound toward you -- this is Paul's assurance to those who give generously. He answers the natural worry that giving freely might leave one short. God, he says, is able to pour out grace so abundantly that the giver, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. The verse overflows with the word "all": all grace, always, all sufficiency, all things, every good work.
The logic moves from God's ability to the believer's sufficiency to overflowing generosity. First, God "is able" -- the supply rests on His power, not the giver's resources. Second, His grace makes the giver have "all sufficiency," enough for every need, so that fear of lack need not restrain generosity. Third, the purpose is that one may "abound to every good work" -- the supply is given not for hoarding but for further generosity. God provides enough so that we can keep giving. The word for "sufficiency" suggests a contentment that has enough and to spare. This verse follows the call to cheerful giving and undergirds it: we can give gladly because God is able to replenish abundantly. It teaches a settled confidence that generosity does not deplete those who trust God, for He supplies grace upon grace to those whose giving overflows into good works.
In the Original Language
The verb perisseuo (περισσεύω) means to abound, overflow, and autarkeia (αὐτάρκεια) means sufficiency, having enough and contentment in it.
Cross References
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians 4:19
“The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”
- Proverbs 11:25
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
- Malachi 3:10
Application
Give generously without fear of lack, trusting that God is able to supply all you need so you can keep abounding in good works.