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2 Corinthians 8

BSB·24 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Nowδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study →, brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, we want you to know aboutΓνωρίζομενGnōrizomen — to make known, reveal, declareG1107 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → grace that GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → has givenδεδομένηνdedomenēn — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → theταῖςtais — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → churchesἐκκλησίαιςekklēsiais — Assembly of called-out believers; the churchG1577 — Full Word Study → of MacedoniaΜακεδονίαςMakedonias — Northern Greek regionG3109 — Full Word Study →. 2Inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the terrible ordealδοκιμῇdokimē — proof or evidence through testingG1382 — Full Word Study → they sufferedθλίψεωςthlipseōs — Pressure, affliction, tribulationG2347 — Full Word Study →, theirαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → abundantπερισσείαperisseia — Overabundance, surplus, excessG4050 — Full Word Study → joyχαρᾶςcharas — Joy, gladness, delightG5479 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → deepβάθουςbathous — depth, profundity, abyssG899 — Full Word Study → povertyπτωχείαptōcheia — poverty, destitution, or spiritual needG4432 — Full Word Study → overflowedἐπερίσσευσενeperisseusen — To abound, exceed, or have in abundanceG4052 — Full Word Study → intoεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → richπλοῦτοςploutos — Material wealth, riches, or abundance of possessionsG4149 — Full Word Study → generosityἁπλότητοςhaplotētos — Sincerity, generosity, or single-heartednessG572 — Full Word Study →. 3Forὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → I testify that they gave according to their ability and evenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → beyondπαρὰpara — from, beside, with, nearG3844 — Full Word Study → it. Of their own accordαὐθαίρετοιauthairetoi — willingly chosen; self-willed; voluntaryG830 — Full Word Study →, 4they earnestlyπαρακλήσεωςparaklēseōs — Encouragement, comfort, or exhortationG3874 — Full Word Study → pleadedδεόμενοιdeomenoi — to ask, request, or beseech earnestlyG1189 — Full Word Study → with usἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → for theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → privilegeχάρινcharin — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study → of sharingκοινωνίανkoinōnian — Fellowship; sharing in common; participationG2842 — Full Word Study → in this serviceδιακονίαςdiakonias — Service, ministry, or officeG1248 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → theτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → saintsἁγίουςhagious — Set apart for God; morally pure and sacredG40 — Full Word Study →. 5Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → not only did they do as we expectedἠλπίσαμενēlpisamen — To hope for, expect, or trust inG1679 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλ’*all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → they gaveἔδωκανedōkan — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → themselvesἑαυτοὺςheautous — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → firstπρῶτονprōton — first; before; at the beginningG4412 — Full Word Study → to theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίῳKyriō — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → and thenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → to usἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →, because it was the will of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. 6SoΕἰςEis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → weἡμᾶςhēmas — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → urgedπαρακαλέσαιparakalesai — to urge, comfort, or exhortG3870 — Full Word Study → TitusΤίτονTiton — Honorable, respectedG5103 — Full Word Study → to help completeἐπιτελέσῃepitelesē — To complete, accomplish, or finish a task or workG2005 — Full Word Study → yourὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → act of graceχάρινcharin — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study →, just asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → he had started it. 7Butἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → just asὥσπερhōsper — just as, even as, in the same way asG5618 — Full Word Study → you excelπερισσεύετεperisseuete — To abound, exceed, or have in abundanceG4052 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → everythingπαντὶpanti — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study →in faithπίστειpistei — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study →, in speechλόγῳlogō — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study →, in knowledgeγνώσειgnōsei — Knowledge, understanding, recognitionG1108 — Full Word Study →, inκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → completeπάσῃpasē — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → earnestnessσπουδῇspoudē — earnest diligence; eager care and effortG4710 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → in theτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → loveἀγάπῃagapē — Self-giving love; covenant affectionG26 — Full Word Study → weἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study →spired in youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →—see that you also excelπερισσεύητεperisseuēte — To abound, exceed, or have in abundanceG4052 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → thisταύτῃtautē — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → grace of givingχάριτιchariti — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study →. 8I am not making a demand, butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → I am testingδοκιμάζωνdokimazōn — To test, examine, or approve after scrutinyG1381 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sincerityγνήσιονgnēsion — Genuine, authentic, sincereG1103 — Full Word Study → of yourὑμετέραςhymeteras — your own; belonging to youG5212 — Full Word Study → loveἀγάπηςagapēs — Self-giving love; covenant affectionG26 — Full Word Study → in comparison to theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → earnestnessσπουδῆςspoudēs — earnest diligence; eager care and effortG4710 — Full Word Study → of othersἑτέρωνheterōn — another, different, otherG2087 — Full Word Study →. 9Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → you knowΓινώσκετεGinōskete — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → graceχάρινcharin — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study → of ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →, thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → though He was richπλούσιοςplousios — wealthy, rich, abounding in resourcesG4145 — Full Word Study →, yet for your sakeδι’di’ — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study →s He became poorἐπτώχευσενeptōcheusen — to become poor or live in povertyG4433 — Full Word Study →, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → youὑμεῖςhymeis — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → through His povertyπτωχείᾳptōcheia — poverty, destitution, or spiritual needG4432 — Full Word Study → might become richπλουτήσητεploutēsēte — to become rich; to grow wealthyG4147 — Full Word Study →. 10Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thisτοῦτοtouto — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → is my opinionδίδωμιdidōmi — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → aboutγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → what is helpfulσυμφέρειsympherei — to be profitable, expedient, or beneficialG4851 — Full Word Study → for youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → this matter: Last yearπέρυσιperysi — last year; a year agoG4070 — Full Word Study → you were the firstπροενήρξασθεproenērxasthe — to begin beforehand; to make a beginning firstG4278 — Full Word Study → notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → onlyμόνονmonon — only, alone, solelyG3440 — Full Word Study → to give, butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → evenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → to have such a desireθέλεινthelein — to desire, wish, or will; to be inclined towardG2309 — Full Word Study →. 11Nowνυνὶnyni — now, at the present time, at this momentG3570 — Full Word Study → finishἐπιτελέσατεepitelesate — To complete, accomplish, or finish a task or workG2005 — Full Word Study → the workποιῆσαιpoiēsai — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study →, so thatὅπωςhopōs — in order that, so that, that (purpose or result)G3704 — Full Word Study → you may complete itἐπιτελέσαιepitelesai — To complete, accomplish, or finish a task or workG2005 — Full Word Study → just as eagerπροθυμίαprothymia — Eagerness, readiness, willingness of mindG4288 — Full Word Study →ly as you began, according toἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → your meansἔχεινechein — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study →. 12Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → ifεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → eagernessπροθυμίαprothymia — Eagerness, readiness, willingness of mindG4288 — Full Word Study → is thereπρόκειταιprokeitai — to lie before, be set forth, be proposedG4295 — Full Word Study →, the gift is acceptable according toκαθὸkatho — insofar as, inasmuch as, to the extent thatG2526 — Full Word Study → whatἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → one hasἔχῃechē — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study →, notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → according toκαθὸkatho — insofar as, inasmuch as, to the extent thatG2526 — Full Word Study → what he does not have. 13It is not our intention thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → othersἄλλοιςallois — another, other, different oneG243 — Full Word Study → may be relievedἄνεσιςanesis — relief, rest, relaxation from burdenG425 — Full Word Study → while youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → are burdenedθλῖψιςthlipsis — Pressure, affliction, tribulationG2347 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → that there may be equalityἰσότητοςisotētos — equality, fairness, impartialityG2471 — Full Word Study →. 14Atἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → presentνῦνnyn — now, at the present timeG3568 — Full Word Study → timeκαιρῷkairō — The right or appointed time; a season or opportunityG2540 — Full Word Study →, yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → surplusπερίσσευμαperisseuma — abundance, surplus, overflow of somethingG4051 — Full Word Study → will meetεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → theirἐκείνωνekeinōn — that one, that person, the otherG1565 — Full Word Study → needὑστέρημαhysterēma — lack, deficiency, shortage, wantG5303 — Full Word Study →, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → in turnκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theirἐκείνωνekeinōn — that one, that person, the otherG1565 — Full Word Study → surplusπερίσσευμαperisseuma — abundance, surplus, overflow of somethingG4051 — Full Word Study → willγένηταιgenētai — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → meetεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → needὑστέρημαhysterēma — lack, deficiency, shortage, wantG5303 — Full Word Study →. Then there will beγένηταιgenētai — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → equalityἰσότηςisotēs — equality, fairness, impartialityG2471 — Full Word Study →. 15Asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → it is writtenγέγραπταιgegraptai — to write or compose in written formG1125 — Full Word Study →: “He who gathered muchπολὺpoly — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study → had no excessἐπλεόνασενepleonasen — to increase, abound, or multiply abundantlyG4121 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → he who gathered littleὀλίγονoligon — Few in number; small in quantity or durationG3641 — Full Word Study → had no shortfallἠλαττόνησενēlattonēsen — to lack, to have less, to be deficientG1641 — Full Word Study →.” 16Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → thanks be to GodΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, whoτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → putδιδόντιdidonti — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → intoἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → heartκαρδίᾳkardia — heart; center of emotion, will, and moral characterG2588 — Full Word Study → of TitusΤίτουTitou — Honorable, respectedG5103 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sameαὐτὴνautēn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → devotionσπουδὴνspoudēn — earnest diligence; eager care and effortG4710 — Full Word Study → I have for youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. 17Forὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → not onlyμὲνmen — on the one hand; indeed; trulyG3303 — Full Word Study → did he welcomeἐδέξατοedexato — to receive or accept willinglyG1209 — Full Word Study → our appealπαράκλησινparaklēsin — Encouragement, comfort, or exhortationG3874 — Full Word Study →, butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → heὑπάρχωνhyparchōn — to be, exist, or be presentG5225 — Full Word Study → is eagerly comingἐξῆλθενexēlthen — to go out, exit, or departG1831 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → of his own volitionαὐθαίρετοςauthairetos — willingly chosen; self-willed; voluntaryG830 — Full Word Study →. 18Along withμετ’met’ — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → Titus we are sendingΣυνεπέμψαμενSynepempsamen — to send together with, to send along withG4842 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → brotherἀδελφὸνadelphon — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study → whoοὗhou — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → is praisedἔπαινοςepainos — Praise, approval, commendationG1868 — Full Word Study → byδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → allπασῶνpasōn — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → churchesἐκκλησιῶνekklēsiōn — Assembly of called-out believers; the churchG1577 — Full Word Study → for his work in theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → gospelεὐαγγελίῳeuangeliō — Good news; the Gospel messageG2098 — Full Word Study →. 19More than thatκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study →, this brother was chosen byὑπὸhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → churchesἐκκλησιῶνekklēsiōn — Assembly of called-out believers; the churchG1577 — Full Word Study → to accompanyσυνέκδημοςsynekdēmos — travel companion; one who journeys togetherG4898 — Full Word Study → usἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → withσὺν*syn — with, together with, alongsideG4862 — Full Word Study → theτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → offering—the gracious gift weἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → administerδιακονουμένῃdiakonoumenē — to serve, minister, attend toG1247 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → honorδόξανdoxan — Radiant honor, splendor, or divine brightnessG1391 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → Himselfαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → and to show ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → eagerness to help. 20We hope to avoid anyτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → criticismμωμήσηταιmōmēsētai — to find fault with, blame, or criticizeG3469 — Full Word Study → ofἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the way weἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → administerδιακονουμένῃdiakonoumenē — to serve, minister, attend toG1247 — Full Word Study → thisταύτῃtautē — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → generous gift. 21Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → we are taking great care to doπρονοοῦμενpronooumen — To provide for; to care for beforehandG4306 — Full Word Study → what is rightκαλὰkala — good, beneficial, morally excellentG2570 — Full Word Study →, notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → onlyμόνονmonon — only, alone, solelyG3440 — Full Word Study → in the eyesἐνώπιονenōpion — in the presence of, before, in front ofG1799 — Full Word Study → of the Lord, butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → alsoκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → in the eyesἐνώπιονenōpion — in the presence of, before, in front ofG1799 — Full Word Study → of menἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōn — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study →. 22Andδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → we are sending along withΣυνεπέμψαμενSynepempsamen — to send together with, to send along withG4842 — Full Word Study → themαὐτοῖςautois — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brotherἀδελφὸνadelphon — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study → whoὃνhon — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study →se earnestness has been proven many timesπολλάκιςpollakis — frequently, often, many timesG4178 — Full Word Study → and in many waysπολλοῖςpollois — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study →, andδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → nowνυνὶnyni — now, at the present time, at this momentG3570 — Full Word Study → evenπολὺpoly — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study → moreπολλῇpollē — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study → so by his great confidence inεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. 23As forεἴτεeite — whether; if; or (disjunctive conjunction)G1535 — Full Word Study → TitusΤίτουTitou — Honorable, respectedG5103 — Full Word Study →, he is my partnerκοινωνὸςkoinōnos — Partner; sharer in common participationG2844 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → fellow workerσυνεργόςsynergos — Fellow worker; collaborative laborer in ministryG4904 — Full Word Study → amongεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. As for ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοὶadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, they are messengers of the churches, to the glory of ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →. 24Inεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → full viewπρόσωπονprosōpon — Face, presence, or outward appearanceG4383 — Full Word Study → of theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → churchesἐκκλησιῶνekklēsiōn — Assembly of called-out believers; the churchG1577 — Full Word Study →, thenοὖνoun — therefore, then, so, thusG3767 — Full Word Study →, showἐνδεικνύμενοιendeiknymenoi — to demonstrate, display, or prove publiclyG1731 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study →se men the proofἔνδειξινendeixin — demonstration, proof, evidence of somethingG1732 — Full Word Study → ofτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → loveἀγάπηςagapēs — Self-giving love; covenant affectionG26 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → the reason for our boastingκαυχήσεωςkauchēseōs — boasting, proud confidence, gloryingG2746 — Full Word Study → aboutὑπὲρhyper — on behalf of, for the sake of, above, beyondG5228 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — 2 Corinthians 8
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

2 Corinthians 8 is Paul's passionate appeal to the Corinthian church to complete their generous giving for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Rather than commanding them, Paul appeals to their hearts by holding up the Macedonian churches as examples of sacrificial generosity born from joy, and more importantly, by pointing them to the supreme example of Christ's own self-giving poverty. This chapter teaches that true Christian giving flows from a transformed heart, is motivated by grace rather than obligation, and reflects our gratitude for Christ's redemptive work.

Verses 1-5: The Macedonian Example

Paul begins by commending the churches of Macedonia (likely Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) for their remarkable generosity despite severe hardship. The phrase "grace of God bestowed" (verse 1) indicates that their giving was fundamentally a work of God's grace in their hearts, not human achievement. Remarkably, in the midst of "great trial of affliction" and "deep poverty," their joy overflowed into generous giving (verse 2). This is the paradox of Christian grace: spiritual riches produce material generosity even when resources are scarce.

Verses 3-4 reveal the depth of their commitment. They gave "beyond their power," not from surplus but from sacrificial love. Even more striking, they "prayed" Paul to receive their gift—they were eager to participate in this ministry to other believers. This shows that mature Christian generosity isn't reluctant or compulsory; it's joyful and self-initiated.

Verse 5 contains the spiritual foundation: "first gave their own selves to the Lord." Before they gave money, they surrendered themselves to Christ. This order matters. True Christian giving always begins with personal consecration to Jesus. When we belong wholly to Him, our wallets naturally follow.

Application: Examine your own giving. Have you first given yourself to the Lord? Our generosity flows from the depth of our commitment to Christ, not from the size of our bank account.

Verses 6-12: The Appeal to the Corinthians

Paul enlists Titus to help the Corinthian church complete what they began a year earlier. Verse 7 affirms their spiritual abundance in faith, knowledge, and love, but challenges them to "abound in this grace also"—the grace of giving. Paul wisely clarifies in verse 8 that he speaks "not by commandment," but as encouragement, wanting to test whether their love is genuine.

Verse 9 presents the supreme motivation: "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." This is the heart of the gospel. Christ emptied Himself, taking human form and dying on the cross, so that we might receive spiritual riches. Our giving reflects gratitude for His giving.

Verses 10-12 address the mechanics of giving. Paul doesn't demand perfection or large amounts; he asks for "a willing mind" to complete what was begun, giving "out of that which ye have." God accepts gifts according to what people genuinely possess, not according to imaginary resources.

Application: Give what you can with a willing heart. God measures generosity not by amount but by sacrifice and sincerity.

Verses 13-24: Integrity and Accountability

Paul clarifies that the goal isn't to burden the Corinthians but to achieve "equality" among believers (verses 13-14). The collection helps those in need while building the body of Christ. Verse 15 cites the manna story, showing that God provides sufficiently for all when resources are shared fairly.

Verses 16-24 establish accountability. Paul sends trusted messengers (Titus, an unnamed brother praised throughout the churches, and another diligent brother) to handle the collection, "Avoiding this, that no man should blame us" (verse 20). This demonstrates Paul's commitment to "honest things...in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." Christian integrity must be beyond reproach.

Application: In matters of money and ministry, maintain absolute transparency and accountability. Our witness depends on it.

Application for Today

This chapter reminds us that Christian generosity is a spiritual grace, not a burden. Ask yourself: Have I truly surrendered myself to Christ? Am I giving joyfully from what I have, not from what I don't possess? Does my giving reflect gratitude for Christ's sacrifice? Let the Macedonian example and Christ's own self-giving transform your approach to financial stewardship.

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