2 Corinthians 8:4

2 Corinthians 8:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
• New International Version (NIV)they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
• English Standard Version (ESV)begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
• New King James Version (NKJV)imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

Context of 2 Corinthians 8:4

2In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord, they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, through the will of God. 6So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.

2 Corinthians 8:4 word by word

μετὰ πολλῆς παρακλήσεως δεόμενοι ἡμῶν τὴν χάριν καὶ τὴν κοινωνίαν τῆς διακονίας τῆς εἰς τοὺς ἁγίουςRead the interlinear

• they earnestlyμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• they earnestlyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• they earnestlyπαράκλησιςparaklēsis · encouragementG3874
• pleadedδέομαιdeomai · to prayG1189
• with usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• for theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• privilegeχάριςcharis · graceG5485
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• of sharingκοινωνίαkoinōnia · participationG2842
• serviceδιακονίαdiakonia · serviceG1248
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• saintsἅγιοςhagios · holy: saintG40

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:4

• 2 Corinthians 8:18Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel.
• Genesis 33:10But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably.
• 2 Kings 5:15Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
• Acts 16:15And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
• 1 Corinthians 16:3Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
• 2 Corinthians 9:1Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
• Matthew 10:42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
• Matthew 12:50For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
• Matthew 25:40And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
• Mark 14:7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.
• John 19:26When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.”
• Acts 6:1In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
• Acts 9:39So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
• Acts 11:29So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
• Acts 24:17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
• Romans 15:25Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Praying us with much entreaty - We had not to solicit them to this great act of kindness; they even entreated us to accept their bounty, and to take on ourselves the administration or application of it to the wants of the poor in Judea.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Praying us with much entreaty - Earnestly entreating me to receive the contribution and convey it to the poor and afflicted saints in Judea. And take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints - Greek, “that we would take the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” They asked of us to take part in the labor of conveying it to Jerusalem. The occasion of this distress which made the collection for the saints of Judea…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-15Paul now focuses on collecting funds for the Jerusalem church (8:4; 9:1). This relief fund aimed to help the poor believers in the holy city (Acts 11:27–30; Romans 15:25–27, 31; Galatians 2:10). Paul had previously given instructions about this matter (1 Corinthians 16:1–2). Now it was time to gather the funds (2 Corinthians 8:6). Paul hoped this gift from non-Jewish congregations to the Jewish church would strengthen ties between the two groups in the…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-53-5. they were willing--rather, supply from 2Co 8:5, the ellipsis thus, "According to their power ... yea, and beyond their power, THEY GAVE." of themselves--not only not being besought, but themselves beseeching us.Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 8:4

• Alms
• Beneficence
• Emulation
• Macedonia
• Poor
• Tact
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Accept
• Accord
• Fellowship
• Philippians, Epistle to
• Church
• Church Government
• Collection
• Communion; (fellowship)
• Contribution
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings