Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.
–
2 Corinthians 9:15
What do you do on the day after Thanksgiving? Recover from a big meal? Nibble on leftovers? Enjoy another day with Thanksgiving guests? Remember to give thanks! As you probably know, Thanksgiving is not just a once-a-year thing, but a thought pattern, an attitude, a position of being grateful to the Lord. There is so much to thank Him for each day.
The apostle Paul says to thank God for what he describes as “His inexpressible gift.” Other translations call this gift “indescribable,” but the apostle uses many words in an effort to describe or express it, as have many theologians, missionaries, and laymen through the ages. Paul speaks of the gospel of Christ and how that translates to a life of love and giving. The previous paragraphs describe how he is encouraging the believers in Corinth, in the region of Achaia, to keep their promise of taking up a collection to give to the Macedonians.
Paul also speaks of how those who have received salvation in Christ give to those in need and how God, in turn, makes it possible for a person to do and give whatever they determine in their hearts. The Christian life is a life-giving flow of receiving from God and giving to others. It begins with receiving the gift of salvation.
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