2 Corinthians · Chapter 9 · Gratitude
2 Corinthians 9:7 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
1080 × 1080 · Square
Background
— or pick from our presets below —
Processed locally — your photo never leaves your device.
Every download includes a small bibleverses.au mark so others can find us too.
Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver."
KJV · King James Version
"Every man1538 according as2531 he purposeth4255 in his heart2588, so let him give; not3361 grudgingly1537 3077, or2228 of1537 necessity318: for1063 God2316 loveth25 a cheerful2431 giver1395."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses every, purposeth, him, necessity, while the WEB renders these as each, has, determined, under. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
2 Corinthians 9:7 in 2 Corinthians 9
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 2 Corinthians 9:7 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 2 Corinthians 9. Read the full chapter →
- v.5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
- v.6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
- v.7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
- v.8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
- v.9 As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”
Book background
About the Book of 2 Corinthians
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul
- Date written
- c. 55–56 AD
- Audience
- The church at Corinth, after Paul's tense exchange with them
- Chapters
- 13
2 Corinthians is Paul's most personal letter — defending his apostolic ministry, describing the "treasure in jars of clay" (4:7), the new creation in Christ (5:17), and his own "thorn in the flesh." Its theme: God's strength is made perfect in human weakness (12:9).
Setting: The most personal of Paul's letters — written from Macedonia.
Key themes: weakness · comfort · reconciliation · ministry · giving
Memorisation aid
How to memorise 2 Corinthians 9:7
2 Corinthians 9:7 contains 23 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart
LEMGAA
- 2
not grudgingly
NG
- 3
or under compulsion
OUC
- 4
for God loves a cheerful giver.
FGLACG
Frequently asked
FAQ about 2 Corinthians 9:7
What does 2 Corinthians 9:7 say?
2 Corinthians 9:7 reads: "Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver." — from the New Testament, 2 Corinthians (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is 2 Corinthians 9:7 in?
2 Corinthians 9:7 is in the book of 2 Corinthians, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 55–56 AD. 2 Corinthians is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to The church at Corinth, after Paul's tense exchange with them. Best known for "my grace is sufficient for you".
What is 2 Corinthians 9:7 about?
2 Corinthians 9:7 is primarily a Bible verse about Gratitude. Within 2 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians is Paul's most personal letter — defending his apostolic ministry, describing the "treasure in jars of clay" (4:7), the new creation in Christ (5:17), and his own "thorn in the flesh. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between 2 Corinthians 9:7 in WEB and KJV?
2 Corinthians 9:7 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Every man1538 according as2531 he purposeth4255 in his heart2588, so let him give; not3361 grudgingly1537 3077, or2228 of1537 necessity318: for1063 God2316 loveth25 a cheerful2431 giver1395.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is 2 Corinthians 9:7?
2 Corinthians 9:7 is 23 words in the WEB translation (131 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 7 seconds.
How can I memorise 2 Corinthians 9:7?
To memorise 2 Corinthians 9:7, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does 2 Corinthians 9:7 matter in 2 Corinthians?
2 Corinthians is Paul's most personal letter — defending his apostolic ministry, describing the "treasure in jars of clay" (4:7), the new creation in Christ (5:17), and his own "thorn in the flesh." Its theme: God's strength is made perfect in human weakness (12:9). 2 Corinthians 9:7 sits within this larger story — 2 Corinthians as a whole emphasises weakness, comfort, reconciliation.
How can I apply 2 Corinthians 9:7 today?
Many readers use 2 Corinthians 9:7 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download 2 Corinthians 9:7 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
-
Psalms 118:24
“This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!”
Read context →
-
Psalms 100:4
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name.”
Read context →
-
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!””
Read context →
-
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.”
Read context →
-
James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.”
Read context →
-
1 Chronicles 16:34
“Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.”
Read context →
-
Nehemiah 8:10
“Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don…”
Read context →
-
Job 1:21
“He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be Yahweh’s name.””
Read context →
-
Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the…”
Read context →
-
Luke 6:38
““Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you meas…”
Read context →
More featured verses in 2 Corinthians
Browse 2 Corinthians →
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”
Read context →
2 Corinthians 12:9
“He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses,…”
Read context →
2 Corinthians 5:7
“for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Read context →
2 Corinthians 4:17
“For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;”
Read context →