Christian Standard Bible
2 Corinthians 8:2
2During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
2 Corinthians 8:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
- New International Version (NIV)In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
- English Standard Version (ESV)for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
- New King James Version (NKJV)that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
Context of 2 Corinthians 8:2
1We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, 4they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints,
Read all of 2 Corinthians 82 Corinthians 8:2 word by word
ὅτι ἐν πολλῇ δοκιμῇ θλίψεως ἡ περισσεία τῆς χαρᾶς αὐτῶν καὶ ἡ κατὰ βάθους πτωχεία αὐτῶν ἐπερίσσευσεν εἰς τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς ἁπλότητος αὐτῶν,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- How thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- a greatπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- trialδοκιμήdokimē · testG1382
- of afflictionθλῖψιςthlipsis · pressureG2347
- the abundanceπερισσείαperisseia · excessG4050
- of theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- joyχαράchara · joyG5479
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- ·κατάkata · according toG2596
- deepβάθοςbathos · depthG899
- povertyπτωχείαptōcheia · povertyG4432
- aboundedπερισσεύωperisseuō · to exceedG4052
- untoεἰςeis · towardG1519
- the richesπλοῦτοςploutos · richesG4149
- liberalityἁπλότηςhaplotēs · opennessG572
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:2
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
- Nehemiah 8:10Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
- Acts 2:45They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.
- Mark 12:42Then a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little.
- Luke 21:1He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.
- James 2:5Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?
- Revelation 2:9I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
- 2 Corinthians 6:10as grieving, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
- 2 Corinthians 9:11You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.
- Deuteronomy 15:4“There will be no poor among you, however, because the Lord is certain to bless you in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance —
- Proverbs 11:25A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.
- Isaiah 32:5A fool will no longer be called a noble, nor a scoundrel said to be important.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12Indeed, this is our boast: The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom but by God’s grace.
- Romans 12:8if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2In a great trial of affliction - The sense of this verse is the following: The Macedonians, though both poor and persecuted, rejoiced exceedingly that an opportunity was afforded them of doing good to their more impoverished and more persecuted brethren. We can scarcely ever speak of poverty and affliction in an absolute sense; they are only comparative. Even the poor are called to relieve those who are poorer than themselves; and the afflicted, to…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2How that, in a great trial of affliction - When it might be supposed they were unable to give; when many would suppose they needed the aid of others; or when it might be supposed their minds would be wholly engrossed with their own concerns. The trial to which the apostle here refers was doubtless some persecution which was excited against them, probably by the Jews; see Acts 16:20; Acts 17:5. The abundance of their joy - Their joy arising from the hopes…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2The churches in Macedonia included the church in Philippi. According to Acts and Philippians, this church faced many troubles and was very poor. Despite this, they generously sent gifts to Paul and supported the collection (8:4–5; Philippians 1:5; 2:25–30; 4:15–20).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. trial of affliction--The Greek expresses, "in affliction (or, 'tribulation') which tested them"; literally, "in a great testing of affliction." abundance of their joy--The greater was the depth of their poverty, the greater was the abundance of their joy. A delightful contrast in terms, and triumph, in fact, of spirit over flesh. their deep poverty--Greek, "their poverty down to the death of it." abounded unto the riches of their liberality--another…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 8:2
In the dictionaries
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
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