2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Original Language Analysis
χάρις
Thanks
G5485
χάρις
Thanks
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
1 of 9
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
be unto God
G2316
θεῷ
be unto God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 9
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐπὶ
for
G1909
ἐπὶ
for
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
5 of 9
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 #:
6 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 2:14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.Ephesians 5:20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.Romans 8:32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?1 Corinthians 15:57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.Revelation 4:9And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Psalms 30:12To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.Romans 5:15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Historical Context
Paul's sudden burst of thanksgiving is characteristically Pauline—his letters frequently break into spontaneous worship when contemplating God's grace (Rom 11:33-36, Eph 3:20-21, 1 Tim 1:17). This doxology reframes the entire collection: it's not fundamentally about money but about participating in the gospel's self-giving love. In an honor-shame culture obsessed with getting and displaying wealth, Paul's theology of grace-motivated, others-focused generosity was radically countercultural—and remains so today.
Questions for Reflection
- How does meditating on God's 'unspeakable gift' of Christ motivate and shape your financial generosity?
- In what ways is your giving patterned after Christ's self-giving (becoming poor that we might be rich)?
- When you give, does it flow from gratitude for having received the unspeakable Gift, or from other motivations (duty, guilt, recognition, reciprocity)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift (Χάρις τῷ θεῷ ἐπὶ τῇ ἀνεκδιηγήτῳ αὐτοῦ δωρεᾷ)—This sudden doxology climaxes the entire passage. Charis (Χάρις) means both "grace" and "thanks"—deliberately ambiguous. God's grace evokes thanksgiving. Unspeakable (anekdiēgētos, ἀνεκδιήγητος, "indescribable, inexpressible") appears only here in the New Testament—beyond language to describe. Gift (dōrea, δωρεά) emphasizes free, unearned giving.
What is this unspeakable gift? Some say Christ Himself—the supreme gift that motivates all Christian generosity (8:9, "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor"). Others say the privilege of generous giving itself, or the grace enabling generosity, or the resulting thanksgiving and unity. Likely Paul intends all these meanings to resonate: Christ's self-giving → grace enabling our giving → thanksgiving overflowing to God's glory. All are facets of God's indescribable gift.
This doxology prevents reducing chapter 9 to mere fundraising technique. The entire discussion—sowing and reaping, cheerful giving, God's supply, thanksgiving multiplied—points beyond money to the gospel: God's incomprehensible generosity in Christ that transforms stingy sinners into hilarious givers. We give because we've received the unspeakable Gift. Generosity is gospel-shaped living.