What is the "unspeakable gift?"
The tongue talkers think that this has something to do with their "heavenly prayer language." But, it does not!
Let's look at the verse in context:
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Again, every verse has a context and here is the context of this verse:
2 Corinthians 9:12-15
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 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; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
The context of verse 15 has to do with grace giving...money!
The entire chapters of 8 and 9 are about saints giving to God's work both graciously, bountifully, and sacrificially! Notice that Paul says in verse 12 that the money given was to "supply the want of the saints."
It was through this sacrificial giving that God provided for the "poor saints at Jerusalem."
Romans 15:25-28
But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
These were kingdom Messianic Jews who had "sold all" like Jesus told them because they would go into the earthly kingdom.
But when God changed the program and put that Jewish program on hold during the dispensation of grace, those saints needed help financially.
It was through these saved gentiles that God provided for those kingdom saints who were still alive when Paul wrote this book.
So when the gentiles gave money to help these poor Jewish saints, their generosity led to much prayer and thanksgiving to God which also redounded to His glory!!!
2 Corinthians 9:12-15
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 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; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Paul says that the Jews glorified God for his grace working so powerfully in and through those gentiles as they submitted to his will in the grace message by giving money!
Their motivation was God giving his own Son for them!
2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Apparently, these gentiles gave so much money that the Jews were shocked, surprised and taken aback, and that is why Paul calls it "God's unspeakable gift"
Hopefully this
helps!
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