This verse, 2 Corinthians 9:15, is a heartfelt exclamation of gratitude from the Apostle Paul. Let's break down what it means:
"Now thanks be to God...": This is a direct expression of thankfulness directed towards God. Paul is overflowing with gratitude.
"...for his unspeakable gift!": This is the core of the verse. The "unspeakable gift" is generally understood to be the gift of God's grace and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Unspeakable: The word "unspeakable" (ἀνεκδιηγήτῳ - anekdiegetos in Greek) means something so profound, so wonderful, and so comprehensive that it's beyond human ability to fully describe or express. It's a gift that surpasses words.
Gift: This emphasizes that salvation is not earned or deserved, but a free and generous offering from God's love.
Therefore, the verse as a whole means:
Paul is overwhelmed with gratitude to God because God has given humanity a gift – salvation through Jesus Christ – that is so immense, so miraculous, and so full of grace and love that it's impossible to fully express its value and significance in human language.
Context Matters
It's helpful to look at the surrounding verses to understand the full picture:
2 Corinthians 8-9: These chapters discuss Paul's efforts to collect a generous offering from the Corinthian church to help the impoverished Christians in Jerusalem.
Paul is praising the Corinthians' generosity and encouraging them to continue their giving. He understands that their generosity is a reflection of God's own generosity to them.
Therefore, the "unspeakable gift" is not only salvation but also the understanding that they have been given the gift to share with others. Their generosity is in response to God's grace and love.
In summary:
The verse encapsulates the immensity of God's grace and salvation through Christ. It is such a profound and transformative gift that it transcends our ability to fully comprehend or express it. It also ties into the idea of generosity and sharing, reflecting God's own boundless love.
This verse, 2 Corinthians 9:15, is a heartfelt exclamation of gratitude from the Apostle Paul. Let's break down what it means:
"Now thanks be to God...": This is a direct expression of thankfulness directed towards God. Paul is overflowing with gratitude.
"...for his unspeakable gift!": This is the core of the verse. The "unspeakable gift" is generally understood to be the gift of God's grace and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Unspeakable: The word "unspeakable" (ἀνεκδιηγήτῳ - anekdiegetos in Greek) means something so profound, so wonderful, and so comprehensive that it's beyond human ability to fully describe or express. It's a gift that surpasses words.
Gift: This emphasizes that salvation is not earned or deserved, but a free and generous offering from God's love.
Therefore, the verse as a whole means:
Paul is overwhelmed with gratitude to God because God has given humanity a gift – salvation through Jesus Christ – that is so immense, so miraculous, and so full of grace and love that it's impossible to fully express its value and significance in human language.
Context Matters
It's helpful to look at the surrounding verses to understand the full picture:
2 Corinthians 8-9: These chapters discuss Paul's efforts to collect a generous offering from the Corinthian church to help the impoverished Christians in Jerusalem.
Paul is praising the Corinthians' generosity and encouraging them to continue their giving. He understands that their generosity is a reflection of God's own generosity to them.
Therefore, the "unspeakable gift" is not only salvation but also the understanding that they have been given the gift to share with others. Their generosity is in response to God's grace and love.
In summary:
The verse encapsulates the immensity of God's grace and salvation through Christ. It is such a profound and transformative gift that it transcends our ability to fully comprehend or express it. It also ties into the idea of generosity and sharing, reflecting God's own boundless love.