2 Corinthians 9:10

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Corinthians 9:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:
2 Corinthians 9:10 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Corinthians 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now he that ministereth seed to the sower, and bread for your food, etc..] For so the words ought to be pointed and read, as is clear from (<235510>Isaiah 55:10) to which they refer; and are a “periphrasis” of God, who so blesses the seed that is cast into the earth, that it brings forth such an increase, as that there is a sufficiency of bread for food to the eater for the present year, and a sufficiency of seed to sow with again the next year; and that God, that does this every year, is able “to minister to”, or supply your present necessities; and to multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; though some consider these as a wish or prayer of the apostle's,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Translate, as in Isa 55:10, "He that ministereth (supplieth) seed to the sower and bread for food" (literally, "bread for eating"). minister--rather future, as the oldest manuscripts, "Shall minister (supply) and multiply." your seed--your means for liberality. the fruits of your righteousness--the heavenly rewards for your Christian charity (Mat 10:42). Righteousness shall be itself the reward, even as it is the thing rewarded (Hos 10:12; Mat 5:6; Mat 6:33).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Now he that ministereth seed to the sower - This is an expression of an earnest wish. In the previous verses he had stated the promises, or had shown what we had a right to expect as a consequence of liberality. He here unites the expression of an earnest desire that they might experience this themselves. The allusion is to the act of sowing seed. The idea is, that when a man scatters seed in his field God provides him with the means of sowing again. He not only gives him a harvest to supply his needs, but he blesses him also in giving him the ability to sow again. Such was the benevolent wish of Paul. He desired not only that God would supply their returning needs, but he desired also that…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he who supplieth seed - Opportunity and ability to help others. And bread - All things needful for your own souls and bodies. Will continually supply you with that seed, yea, multiply it to you more and more. And increase the fruits of your righteousness - The happy effects of your love to God and man. Isa 55:10 2 Corinthians 9:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:10-14 The Corinthians’ generosity would be matched by God’s generosity (9:10-11). It would also meet the needs of Jewish Christians (9:12), honor God (9:13), show believers in Jerusalem that their Gentile brothers and sisters were genuine believers (9:13), and result in the Jewish believers’ intercessory prayer and affection for the Gentile believers (9:14). Paul envisioned a united, worldwide Christian church, composed of believing Jews and Gentiles who are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28; Eph 2:11-22), which would become a powerful witness to the Lord’s work of reconciliation.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he: Gen 1:11, Gen 1:12, Gen 47:19, Gen 47:23, Gen 47:24; Isa 55:10 multiply: Co2 9:6; Pro 11:18; Ecc 11:6; Phi 4:17 increase: Hos 10:12; Mat 6:1; Eph 5:9; Phi 1:11; Th1 3:12, Th1 4:10 2 Corinthians 9:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification