The Bible — World English Bible
2 Corinthians 8
In brief
In this chapter, Paul urges the Corinthians to complete the collection meant for the poor believers in Jerusalem. He points to the example of the churches of Macedonia, who gave joyfully despite their poverty, after first giving themselves to the Lord. He grounds everything in the grace of Christ, who became poor to enrich his people. He speaks of equality between churches, then introduces Titus and two brothers sent to handle the offering with transparency, before God and before people.
The chapter in 4 parts
1Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,
2how in much proof of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.
3For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
4begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.
5This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
6So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.
7But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace.
8I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
10I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.
11But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
13For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,
14but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality.
15As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
16But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.
18We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies.
19Not only so, but he was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.
20We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.
21Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.
23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.
24Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Key verses
how in much proof of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.
Paul describes a paradox: believers who were tested and very poor, whose joy overflowed in rich generosity. Generosity does not depend on comfort, it is born of grace received.
This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
The Macedonians did more than give money: they first gave themselves to the Lord. Giving comes from a life handed over to God, not from a calculation.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
The foundation of the whole chapter. Christ, though rich, became poor to enrich his people. Paul is not speaking of guaranteed material wealth, but of the grace that motivates and feeds generosity.
For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
Generosity is measured by each person's willingness and real means, not by the amount. God does not ask for what you do not have.
Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Paul wants to act rightly before the Lord and also before people. The handling of money in the church must be transparent and beyond reproach.
Bible verses to meditate on
Characters in this chapter
What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about 2 Corinthians 8
What does 2 Corinthians 8:9 mean?
The verse says that Jesus Christ, who was rich, became poor for you, so that through his poverty you might become rich. Christians see in it the incarnation and the cross. Paul uses it to motivate generosity: Christ gave everything, so believers can share. Commentators differ on the nature of this wealth, which many understand mainly as spiritual.
What is the message of 2 Corinthians 8?
Giving is a response to God's grace, not a constraint. The Macedonians, poor and tested, gave joyfully and first gave themselves to the Lord. Paul encourages the Corinthians to finish what they began, according to their means, and asks that the money be handled with full transparency.
Is this collection the same thing as the tithe?
No. Paul is organizing a one-time collection to help the poor believers in Jerusalem, and he does not mention the tithe in this chapter. He does give lasting principles, though: give willingly, according to your means, with joy, and handle money with transparency. Churches apply these principles in different ways.
Articles quoting 2 Corinthians 8
World English Bible translation — public domain.