God Loves a Cheerful Giver (1 Corinthians 16:1–4)
1 RV For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: BSB BSB: Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
2 RV for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them. BSB BSB: For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
3 RV But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared: BSB BSB: But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.
4 RV lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence. BSB BSB: Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
5 RV I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion. BSB BSB: So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
6 RV But this I say , He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. BSB BSB: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 RV Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.BSB BSB: Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
8 RV And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work: BSB BSB: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9 RV as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever. BSB BSB: As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10 RV And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: BSB BSB: Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11 RV ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God. BSB BSB: You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.
12 RV For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God; BSB BSB: For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
13 RV seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all; BSB BSB: Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.
14 RV while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. BSB BSB: And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
15 RV Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. BSB BSB: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.