2 Corinthians 9:13
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
Whiles by
G1223
διὰ
Whiles by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
1 of 29
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοκιμῆς
the experiment
G1382
δοκιμῆς
the experiment
Strong's:
G1382
Word #:
3 of 29
test (abstractly or concretely); by implication, trustiness
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διακονίας
ministration
G1248
διακονίας
ministration
Strong's:
G1248
Word #:
5 of 29
attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the christian teacher, or technically of the diaco
ταύτης
G3778
ταύτης
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
6 of 29
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
δοξάζοντες
they glorify
G1392
δοξάζοντες
they glorify
Strong's:
G1392
Word #:
7 of 29
to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸν
God
G2316
θεὸν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 29
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐπὶ
for
G1909
ἐπὶ
for
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 29
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 29
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἁπλότητι
for your liberal
G572
ἁπλότητι
for your liberal
Strong's:
G572
Word #:
22 of 29
singleness, i.e., (subjectively) sincerity (without dissimulation or self-seeking), or (objectively) generosity (copious bestowal)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κοινωνίας
distribution
G2842
κοινωνίας
distribution
Strong's:
G2842
Word #:
24 of 29
partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
25 of 29
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Hebrews 13:16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.Matthew 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.2 Corinthians 2:12Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,Galatians 1:24And they glorified God in me.
Historical Context
Jewish believers struggled to accept uncircumcised Gentiles as full covenant members (Acts 15, Galatians 2). Paul's collection served as visible proof that Spirit-transformed Gentiles truly belonged to Christ. When Jerusalem saw Gentile generosity, it validated their faith and glorified God for including the nations in Abraham's blessing. This gift helped heal the Jewish-Gentile divide threatening to fracture the early church. Theology became tangible in financial solidarity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your financial generosity (or lack thereof) provide evidence ('experiment') of your genuine submission to the gospel?
- In what ways does your giving demonstrate the gospel's power to overcome natural human divisions and create supernatural unity?
- Who are the 'all men' beyond your natural affinity group that your 'liberal distribution' should include?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration (διὰ τῆς δοκιμῆς τῆς διακονίας ταύτης)—dokimē (δοκιμή, "proof, testing, approved character") indicates this service provides evidence of genuine faith. The Jerusalem believers will see proof of Gentile conversion through tangible generosity. Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26); costly giving validates profession. Experiment means "test, proof"—their generosity is examined and found genuine.
They glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ (δοξάζουσιν τὸν θεὸν ἐπὶ τῇ ὑποταγῇ τῆς ὁμολογίας ὑμῶν εἰς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Χριστοῦ)—hypotag ē (ὑποταγή, "submission, obedience") joined with professed (homologia, ὁμολογία, "confession, profession") shows that credible confession requires obedient submission. The gospel isn't merely believed intellectually but obeyed practically. Generosity demonstrates gospel transformation.
And for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men (καὶ ἁπλότητι τῆς κοινωνίας εἰς αὐτοὺς καὶ εἰς πάντας)—haplotēs (ἁπλότης, "generosity, liberality") and koinōnia (κοινωνία, "fellowship, sharing, partnership") combine to picture open-handed partnership. Their giving isn't selective favoritism but universal love—"unto all." True gospel faith breaks down ethnic, economic, and social barriers, creating one family in Christ.