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2 Corinthians 9:6

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Corinthians 9:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But this [I say,] He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But this [I say,] He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:6 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Corinthians 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared:
4lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence.
5I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.
6But this [I say,] He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7[Let] each man [do] according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:
9as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But this I say, etc..] This the apostle would have the Corinthians take notice of, and well consider, it being what he could aver for truth, by observation and experience; that as in things natural, so in things of a moral and spiritual kind, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully, or with blessings, shall reap also bountifully; or with blessings; as a man sows, so shall he reap; the one is in proportion to the other. Sowing and reaping are here used in a metaphorical sense. The former signifies doing acts of beneficence and liberality. So it is used in the Old Testament, and in Jewish writings; (see <210906>Ecclesiastes 9:6, <233220>Isaiah…”
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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
“I say--ELLICOTT and others supply the ellipsis thus: "But remember this." bountifully--literally, "with," or "in blessings." The word itself implies a beneficent spirit in the giver (compare Co2 9:7, end), and the plural implies the abundance and liberality of the gifts. "The reaping shall correspond to the proportions and spirit of the sowing" [BENGEL]. Compare Eze 34:26, "Showers of blessing."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But this I say - This I say in order to induce you to give liberally. This I say to prevent your supposing that because it is to be a voluntary offering you may give only from your superfluity, and may give sparingly. He which soweth sparingly - This expression has all the appearance of a proverb, and doubtless is such. It does not occur indeed elsewhere in the Scriptures, though substantially the same sentiment exciting to liberality often occurs; see Psalms 12:1-3; Proverbs 11:24-25; Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 22:9. Paul here says that it is in giving as it is in agriculture. A man that sows little must expect to reap little. If he sows a small piece of land he will reap a small harvest; or…”
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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
“He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully - A general rule. God will proportion the reward to the work, and the temper whence it proceeds. 2 Corinthians 9:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:6 Paul turns to agriculture for an illustration of the benefits of generosity. A farmer who expects a rich harvest must sow many seeds.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I say: Co1 1:12, Co1 7:29, Co1 15:20; Gal 3:17, Gal 5:16; Eph 4:17; Col 2:4 He which soweth sparingly: Co2 9:10; Psa 41:1-3; Pro 11:18, Pro 11:24, Pro 19:17, Pro 22:9; Ecc 11:1, Ecc 11:6; Luk 6:38; Luk 19:16-26; Gal 6:7-9; Heb 6:10 2 Corinthians 9:7”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Corinthians 9 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification