2 Corinthians 9:15

My Notes

What Does 2 Corinthians 9:15 Mean?

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." Paul closes the collection-discussion with a SINGLE EXCLAMATION: thanks to God for His UNSPEAKABLE gift. The word 'unspeakable' (anekdiēgētos — indescribable, unable to be fully narrated, beyond the capacity of words) means the gift EXCEEDS LANGUAGE. The gift Paul refers to — whether Christ Himself, the gospel, grace, or the generosity the Spirit produces — is too great for words to capture. The response to the indescribable is simply: THANKS.

The phrase "unspeakable gift" (anekdiēgētō dōrea — the indescribable/inexpressible gift) uses a word that appears NOWHERE else in the New Testament: anekdiēgētos — un-out-narratable, unable to be fully told, beyond the reach of description. The uniqueness of the word matches the uniqueness of the gift. The language itself has to be INVENTED to describe the magnitude. Normal words aren't sufficient. A special word is required — and even THAT word says 'words aren't enough.'

The "thanks be unto God" (charis tō theō — grace/thanks to God) is the ONLY adequate response: when the gift is beyond description, the response is simply GRATITUDE. You can't describe it. You CAN thank for it. The inadequacy of language drives you to the adequacy of thanksgiving. The 'thanks be' is the surrender of the tongue to the magnitude of the gift.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What unspeakable gift are you thankful for — that words can't fully capture?
• 2.What does a gift being BEYOND WORDS teach about the limits of language before divine generosity?
• 3.How does thanksgiving being the adequate response when description fails model worship?
• 4.What does human generosity (Macedonians, Corinthians) being grounded in DIVINE generosity change about giving?

Devotional

Thanks be to God — for His UNSPEAKABLE gift. The gift is so great that language CAN'T contain it. The word 'unspeakable' appears NOWHERE else in Scripture — a unique word for a unique gift. The only adequate response to the indescribable is: thanks.

The 'unspeakable' (anekdiēgētos) means BEYOND WORDS: the gift Paul is grateful for exceeds the capacity of language. You can't DESCRIBE it adequately. You can't NARRATE it completely. You can't TELL it fully. The word itself means 'unable to be fully told.' The gift is bigger than every sentence. The magnitude exceeds every description. Language fails. Thanksgiving survives.

The 'gift' (dōrea — free gift, grace-gift) is deliberately UNSPECIFIED: Paul doesn't say 'thanks for Christ' or 'thanks for the gospel' or 'thanks for the collection.' The gift is LEFT UNNAMED — perhaps because naming it would REDUCE it. The unspeakable gift might be Christ, might be grace, might be the Spirit, might be the entire economy of salvation. The non-naming preserves the magnitude. The vagueness is the respect.

The 'thanks be unto God' is the RESPONSE when description fails: you can't DESCRIBE the gift (it's unspeakable). But you CAN be THANKFUL for it. The gratitude doesn't require the description. The thanksgiving doesn't need the narration. The thanks is the adequate response to the inadequately described. When words fail, thanks doesn't.

The verse is the CLIMAX of two chapters about giving (8-9): the discussion about human generosity culminates in gratitude for DIVINE generosity. The Macedonians gave generously. The Corinthians are urged to give generously. And underneath it all — the UNSPEAKABLE gift of God that makes all human giving possible.

What unspeakable gift are you thankful for — that words can't fully capture?

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture