2 Corinthians 9:4
2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.
Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- lest by any means, if anyone from Macedonia comes there with me and finds you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) would be disappointed in this confident boasting.
- ASV
- lest 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.
- DARBY
- lest haply, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, *we*, that we say not *ye*, may be put to shame in this confidence.
- BLB
- lest perhaps if Macedonians should come with me and should find you⁺ unprepared, we would be put to shame—not that we might say you⁺—in this confidence.
- ÅB
- så vi, for ikke å si dere selv, ikke skal bli til skamme i denne tillit når det kommer makedoniere med meg og finner dere uferdige.
- OTB
- Ellers, hvis noen makedonere kommer med meg og finner dere uforberedt, ville vi—ikke å nevne dere—bli satt til skamme i denne tilliten.
- B1930
- så vi, for ikke å si I selv, ikke skal bli til skamme i denne tillit når det kommer makedoniere med mig og finner eder uferdige.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Romans 15:26
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
Read in context2 Corinthians 8:1–5
Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.
Read in context2 Corinthians 11:17
In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool.
Read in context2 Corinthians 8:24
In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.
Read in context2 Corinthians 9:2
For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
Read in context