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

2During 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, they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, 5and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will. 6So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete among you this act of grace.

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Prayingδέομαιdeomai · to prayG1189
• usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• muchπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• intreatyπαράκλησιςparaklēsis · encouragementG3874
• would receiveδέχομαιdechomai · to receiveG1209
• the giftχάριςcharis · graceG5485
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• the fellowshipκοινωνίαkoinōnia · participationG2842
• of the ministeringδιακονίαdiakonia · serviceG1248
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the saintsἅγιοςhagios · holy: saintG40

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:4

• 2 Corinthians 8:18We have sent with him the brother who is praised among all the churches for his gospel ministry.
• Genesis 33:10But Jacob said, “No, please! If I have found favor with you, take this gift from me. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing God’s face, since you have accepted me.
• 2 Kings 5:15Then Naaman and his whole company went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “I know there’s no God in the whole world except in Israel. Therefore, please accept a gift from your servant.”
• Acts 16:15After she and her household were 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 16:3When I arrive, I will send with letters those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
• 2 Corinthians 9:1Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you.
• Matthew 10:42And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a 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 25:40“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
• Mark 14:7You always have the poor with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have me.
• John 19:26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”
• Acts 6:1In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
• Acts 9:39Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
• Acts 11:29Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea.
• Acts 24:17After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people.
• Romans 15:25Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints,

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