King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 9:13 Mean?

2 Corinthians 9:13 in the King James Version says “Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, ...” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;”

2 Corinthians 9:13 · KJV

Context

11

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. bountifulness: or, liberality: Gr. simplicity

12

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

14

And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Read 2 Corinthians 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration (διὰ τῆς δοκιμῆς τῆς διακονίας ταύτης)—dokimē (δοκιμή, "proof, testing, approved character") indicates this service provides evidence of genuine faith. The Jerusalem believers will see proof of Gentile conversion through tangible generosity. Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26); costly giving validates profession. Experiment means "test, proof"—their generosity is examined and found genuine.

They glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ (δοξάζουσιν τὸν θεὸν ἐπὶ τῇ ὑποταγῇ τῆς ὁμολογίας ὑμῶν εἰς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Χριστοῦ)—hypotag ē (ὑποταγή, "submission, obedience") joined with professed (homologia, ὁμολογία, "confession, profession") shows that credible confession requires obedient submission. The gospel isn't merely believed intellectually but obeyed practically. Generosity demonstrates gospel transformation.

And for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men (καὶ ἁπλότητι τῆς κοινωνίας εἰς αὐτοὺς καὶ εἰς πάντας)—haplotēs (ἁπλότης, "generosity, liberality") and koinōnia (κοινωνία, "fellowship, sharing, partnership") combine to picture open-handed partnership. Their giving isn't selective favoritism but universal love—"unto all." True gospel faith breaks down ethnic, economic, and social barriers, creating one family in Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish believers struggled to accept uncircumcised Gentiles as full covenant members (Acts 15, Galatians 2). Paul's collection served as visible proof that Spirit-transformed Gentiles truly belonged to Christ. When Jerusalem saw Gentile generosity, it validated their faith and glorified God for including the nations in Abraham's blessing. This gift helped heal the Jewish-Gentile divide threatening to fracture the early church. Theology became tangible in financial solidarity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your financial generosity (or lack thereof) provide evidence ('experiment') of your genuine submission to the gospel?
  2. In what ways does your giving demonstrate the gospel's power to overcome natural human divisions and create supernatural unity?
  3. Who are the 'all men' beyond your natural affinity group that your 'liberal distribution' should include?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
διὰ1 of 29

“Whiles by”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῆς2 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δοκιμῆς3 of 29

“the experiment”

G1382

test (abstractly or concretely); by implication, trustiness

τῆς4 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διακονίας5 of 29

“ministration”

G1248

attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the christian teacher, or technically of the diaco

ταύτης6 of 29
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

δοξάζοντες7 of 29

“they glorify”

G1392

to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)

τὸν8 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸν9 of 29

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἐπὶ10 of 29

“for”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῇ11 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑποταγῇ12 of 29

“subjection”

G5292

subordination

τῆς13 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὁμολογίας14 of 29

“professed”

G3671

acknowledgment

ὑμῶν15 of 29

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

εἰς16 of 29

“unto”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ17 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εὐαγγέλιον18 of 29

“the gospel”

G2098

a good message, i.e., the gospel

τοῦ19 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Χριστοῦ20 of 29

“of Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

καὶ21 of 29

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἁπλότητι22 of 29

“for your liberal”

G572

singleness, i.e., (subjectively) sincerity (without dissimulation or self-seeking), or (objectively) generosity (copious bestowal)

τῆς23 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κοινωνίας24 of 29

“distribution”

G2842

partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction

εἰς25 of 29

“unto”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

αὐτοὺς26 of 29

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ27 of 29

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰς28 of 29

“unto”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

πάντας29 of 29

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 9:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 9:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 13:16Matthew 5:162 Corinthians 2:12Galatians 1:24Acts 4:212 Corinthians 8:4

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