God Loves a Cheerful Giver (1 Corinthians 16:1–4)
1 WBS For as concerning 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 WBS For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath incited very many. 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 WBS Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 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 WBS Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 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 WBS Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before to you, and make up before hand your bounty, of which ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not of covetousness. 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 WBS But this I say , He who soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he who 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 WBS Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or by constraint: 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 WBS And God is able to make all grace abound towards you; that ye always having all sufficiency in all things , may abound to 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 WBS (As it is written, He hath dispersed; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. BSB BSB: As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10 WBS Now may 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;) 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 WBS Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth 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 WBS For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings to 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 WBS While by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution to them, and to all men ; 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 WBS And by their prayer for you, who long after you, for 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 WBS Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. BSB BSB: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!