2 Corinthians 9:6
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπείρων
I say He which soweth
G4687
σπείρων
I say He which soweth
Strong's:
G4687
Word #:
4 of 17
to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπείρων
I say He which soweth
G4687
σπείρων
I say He which soweth
Strong's:
G4687
Word #:
11 of 17
to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)
ἐπ'
bountifully
G1909
ἐπ'
bountifully
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
εὐλογίαις
G2129
εὐλογίαις
Strong's:
G2129
Word #:
13 of 17
fine speaking, i.e., elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy"), i.e., (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication, consecr
ἐπ'
bountifully
G1909
ἐπ'
bountifully
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
εὐλογίαις
G2129
εὐλογίαις
Strong's:
G2129
Word #:
15 of 17
fine speaking, i.e., elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy"), i.e., (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication, consecr
Cross References
Luke 6:38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.Proverbs 22:9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.2 Corinthians 9:10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)Hebrews 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.Proverbs 11:18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.Ecclesiastes 11:6In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.Ecclesiastes 11:1Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.Galatians 5:16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.Galatians 3:17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
Historical Context
First-century Mediterranean agriculture was subsistence farming where the amount of seed sown directly determined survival. Farmers faced the constant temptation to eat seed grain rather than plant it, especially in lean years. Sowing "bountifully" required faith that God would provide. Paul applies this familiar agricultural reality to Christian generosity: giving requires faith that God will provide for the giver.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God proven faithful in providing when you've given generously beyond what seemed prudent?
- What 'seed' are you holding back from sowing—and what fears drive that hoarding?
- How does viewing giving as 'sowing' rather than 'losing' change your perspective on generosity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly (ὁ σπείρων φειδομένως φειδομένως καὶ θερίσει)—The agricultural metaphor of speirō (σπείρω, "sow seed") and therizō (θερίζω, "reap harvest") establishes a spiritual law: generosity generates abundance. The adverb pheidomenos (φειδομένως, "sparingly, stingily") appears twice, emphasizing the direct proportion between sowing and reaping. This isn't prosperity gospel—Paul isn't promising financial return—but a principle of spiritual fruitfulness.
And he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully (ὁ σπείρων ἐπ᾽ εὐλογίαις ἐπ᾽ εὐλογίαις καὶ θερίσει)—literally "the one sowing upon blessings shall also reap upon blessings." The phrase ep' eulogiais (ἐπ᾽ εὐλογίαις) pictures blessing as the field in which seed is sown and from which harvest comes. The repetition creates rhythmic emphasis.
This principle appears throughout Scripture: "Give, and it shall be given unto you" (Luke 6:38); "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD" (Prov 19:17). The harvest may come in this life or the next, in material or spiritual blessing, but God's economy never wastes seed sown in faith. Jesus Himself is the ultimate demonstration: His self-giving produced a harvest of redeemed humanity (John 12:24).