9:6 reap. “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Note also Psalm 126:5-6. The bountiful return promised by God for generous giving is not necessarily (though possibly it is in some cases) to be measured in material plenty (but see Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:10-12). He does, indeed, promise to supply our need (Philippians 4:19), but perhaps more commonly the rewards are spiritual, which in terms of eternity are far more valuable. Note II Corinthians 9:8-14. Therefore, when we give with abundance, we are not really “giving,” but “sowing.”

9:8 all grace. God promises an abundance of “all grace” to those who learn the grace of giving and exercise it “cheerfully” (the Greek word in II Corinthians 9:7 is that from which we derive our word “hilarious”). Note the frequent use of superlatives in this verse—“all grace,” “always,” “all sufficiency,” “all things,” “every good work,” with “abound” occurring twice.