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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.

Context of 2 Corinthians 8:4

2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should 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 8:18With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.
• Genesis 33:10Jacob said, "No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me.
• 2 Kings 5:15Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, "Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant."
• Acts 16:15And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.
• 1 Corinthians 16:3And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
• 2 Corinthians 9:1Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints,
• Matthew 10:42And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means 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 answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
• Mark 14:7For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. 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, behold, your son!"
• Acts 6:1Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
• Acts 9:39So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.
• Acts 11:29So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
• Acts 24:17Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.
• Romans 15:25At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to 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