2 Corinthians 9:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul wants the gift ready in advance, so that neither he nor the Corinthians would be embarrassed if Macedonian companions arrived to find nothing prepared.
What Does 2 Corinthians 9:4 Mean?
Paul imagines a scene: he might travel south with believers from Macedonia, the very people to whom he had praised the Corinthians. If they arrived and found the offering unprepared, the moment would bring shame -- to Paul first, and to the Corinthians too.
Paul speaks with the candor of a friend who cares about his readers' honor as well as his own. He is not shaming them; he is sparing them shame by urging readiness now. Love looks ahead and prepares, so that when the time comes, the giving is glad and unhurried. Good intentions left to the last moment can wither; intentions made ready in advance become a blessing.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 9:4
What does 2 Corinthians 9:4 mean?
Paul wants the gift ready in advance, so that neither he nor the Corinthians would be embarrassed if Macedonian companions arrived to find nothing prepared.