2 Corinthians 9:12

Authorized King James Version

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For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

Original Language Analysis

ὅτι For G3754
ὅτι For
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 1 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διακονία the administration G1248
διακονία the administration
Strong's: G1248
Word #: 3 of 22
attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the christian teacher, or technically of the diaco
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λειτουργίας service G3009
λειτουργίας service
Strong's: G3009
Word #: 5 of 22
public function (as priest ("liturgy") or almsgiver)
ταύτης G3778
ταύτης
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 6 of 22
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
οὐ not G3756
οὐ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 7 of 22
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
μόνον only G3440
μόνον only
Strong's: G3440
Word #: 8 of 22
merely
ἐστὶν supplieth G2076
ἐστὶν supplieth
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 9 of 22
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
προσαναπληροῦσα G4322
προσαναπληροῦσα
Strong's: G4322
Word #: 10 of 22
to fill up further, i.e., furnish fully
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑστερήματα the want G5303
ὑστερήματα the want
Strong's: G5303
Word #: 12 of 22
a deficit; specially, poverty
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίων of the saints G40
ἁγίων of the saints
Strong's: G40
Word #: 14 of 22
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
ἀλλὰ but G235
ἀλλὰ but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 15 of 22
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 16 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περισσεύουσα is abundant G4052
περισσεύουσα is abundant
Strong's: G4052
Word #: 17 of 22
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
διὰ by G1223
διὰ by
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 18 of 22
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
πολλῶν many G4183
πολλῶν many
Strong's: G4183
Word #: 19 of 22
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
εὐχαριστιῶν thanksgivings G2169
εὐχαριστιῶν thanksgivings
Strong's: G2169
Word #: 20 of 22
gratitude; actively, grateful language (to god, as an act of worship)
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 21 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ unto God G2316
θεῷ unto God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 22 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Analysis & Commentary

For the administration of this service (ἡ διακονία τῆς λειτουργίας ταύτης)—Paul uses two ministry words: diakonia (διακονία, "service/ministry") and leitourgia (λειτουργία, "public service/priestly ministry"). Leitourgia originally described civic service wealthy citizens performed for the state but came to mean priestly service in the temple (Luke 1:23, Heb 8:6). Financial giving is priestly worship, a sacred liturgy offered to God.

Not only supplieth the want of the saints (οὐ μόνον ἐστὶν προσαναπληροῦσα τὰ ὑστερήματα τῶν ἁγίων)—prosanaplēroō (προσαναπληρόω, "fill up, supply fully") indicates complete provision for genuine want (hysterēma, ὑστέρημα, "lack, deficiency"). Christian giving meets real needs, not superficial desires. But "not only" signals something greater.

But is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God (ἀλλὰ καὶ περισσεύουσα διὰ πολλῶν εὐχαριστιῶν τῷ θεῷ)—the verb perisseuō (περισσεύουσα, "overflows, abounds") describes thanksgiving multiplying exponentially. One gift creates many thanksgivings (πολλῶν εὐχαριστιῶν). Each recipient thanks God; observers thank God; givers thank God for the privilege; future generations thank God. Generosity unleashes a tsunami of worship that reverberates eternally. The earthly transaction generates heavenly glory.

Historical Context

The Jerusalem church's poverty resulted from persecution, economic marginalization, and possibly the failed experiment of total communalism (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37). Paul's collection provided material relief but also theological statement: Gentile and Jewish believers are one body in Christ. This wasn't charity condescension but covenant solidarity. The resulting 'many thanksgivings' from Jerusalem believers validated Gentile Christianity and unified the fractured early church.

Questions for Reflection

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