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“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
–2 Corinthians 9:15​
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Annotation: Paul expresses his gratitude for God’s supreme gift—Jesus Christ, whose grace is beyond words.
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Note: The ultimate reason for thankfulness is the gift of salvation through Jesus.
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2 Corinthians 9:15 is a brief but powerful expression of gratitude and praise toward God. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Thanks be to God":
This is a declaration of praise and gratitude directed toward God. Paul begins this verse by acknowledging that all thanksgiving and glory ultimately belong to God. It is a recognition that everything good, including spiritual blessings, comes from Him, and He is the source of every gift.
"For his indescribable gift!":
Paul’s reference to God’s "indescribable gift" is widely understood to be referring to Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers through His death and resurrection. The gift is "indescribable" because it is beyond human words to fully capture or explain the depth of what God has given through Christ.
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Indescribable means that the gift is so magnificent, so full of grace and love, that no human language can truly do it justice.
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The gift is not just material wealth or a temporary blessing, but the eternal gift of salvation, which comes through Jesus. It is God's greatest gift to humanity—freely given, yet so priceless.
The Context:
In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul is speaking about the generosity of the believers in Corinth who were contributing to a collection for the Christians in Jerusalem. He had just been encouraging them to give generously, and then he turns the focus toward the ultimate gift—Jesus Christ.
Paul is saying that their generosity in giving is a reflection of God’s own generosity to them. In a sense, as they give to others, they are participating in God’s larger plan of generosity, which is centered on His unspeakable gift—Christ Himself.
This verse comes at the end of a passage where Paul has been explaining how God supplies everything needed for His people to give generously, and now he bursts into a doxology (a statement of praise) that acknowledges God’s ultimate act of generosity, which is Jesus.
The Key Point:
The "indescribable gift" is God's ultimate gift of grace: Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers to all who believe. It’s a gift that can never be fully understood or described because of its infinite value, and Paul calls for thanks to be given to God for this priceless gift.
In Practical Terms:
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Gratitude for Salvation: This verse reminds us that the greatest gift we could ever receive is not anything material, but the gift of salvation through Christ. Our response should be one of overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for His immense generosity.
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Generosity Reflects God's Grace: Just as Paul talks about the believers’ generosity in giving, this verse also highlights that we, as recipients of God’s indescribable gift, are called to reflect that generosity in our lives. Our giving—whether of time, resources, or love—flows from the recognition of how generous God has been to us.
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Inexpressible Joy: The term "indescribable" suggests that our response to this gift should go beyond mere words. It involves a life of worship, service, and awe that acknowledges how incredible God's grace is.
Summary:
2 Corinthians 9:15 is an expression of thanksgiving to God for His indescribable gift, which refers to Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings. Paul is reminding the Corinthians, and all believers, that God’s ultimate gift of grace is beyond words and should be met with profound gratitude. The verse encourages us to recognize the value of God’s gift, which leads to worship and a life of generosity, reflecting the grace we have received.
Additional Information:
Read the full chapter and find more resources at biblegateway.com (external site)>>
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