A Greek adjective meaning cheerful, joyous, glad, gracious. From this word comes the English 'hilarious.' It occurs only once in the New Testament — in 2 Corinthians 9:7 — but that single usage has become one of the most quoted verses on generosity. It describes the disposition of heart with which God desires His people to give.
Paul declares that 'God loves a cheerful (hilaros) giver' (2 Corinthians 9:7). This is not mere financial advice — it reveals something about God's own character. God Himself is a hilaros giver: 'He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?' (Romans 8:32). God doesn't give grudgingly or out of obligation — He gives with joy. When we give cheerfully, we reflect God's nature. The word corrects two errors: giving from compulsion (duty without joy) and reluctance (hoarding disguised as stewardship). Biblical generosity flows from a heart so secure in God's provision that giving becomes a delight, not a burden.