2 Corinthians 8:14

2 Corinthians 8:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
• New International Version (NIV)At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,
• English Standard Version (ESV)your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
• New King James Version (NKJV)but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.

Context of 2 Corinthians 8:14

12with whatever contributions you have. Since you are willing to do this, ⌞remember⌟ that people are accepted if they give what they are able to give. God doesn’t ask for what they don’t have. 13I don’t mean that others should have relief while you have hardship. Rather, it’s a matter of striking a balance. At the present time, your surplus fills their need so that their surplus may fill your need. In this way things balance out. 15This is what Scripture says: “Those who had gathered a lot didn’t have too much, and those who gathered a little didn’t have too little.” 16I thank God for making Titus as dedicated to you as I am.

2 Corinthians 8:14 word by word

ἐν τῷ νῦν καιρῷ τὸ ὑμῶν περίσσευμα εἰς τὸ ἐκείνων ὑστέρημα, ἵνα καὶ τὸ ἐκείνων περίσσευμα γένηται εἰς τὸ ὑμῶν ὑστέρημα, ὅπως γένηται ἰσότηςRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butἀλλάalla · butG235
• byἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• an equalityἰσότηςisotēs · equalityG2471
• nowνῦνnun · nowG3568
• atἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• this timeὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• this timeκαιρόςkairos · time/right timeG2540
• yourσύsu · youG4771
• abundanceπερίσσευμαperisseuma · overflowG4051
• forεἰςeis · towardG1519
• theirἐκεῖνοςekeinos · thatG1565
• wantὑστέρημαhusterēma · deficiencyG5303
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• may beγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• thatὅπωςhopōs · thatG3704

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14But by an equality - That you may do to those who are distressed now, as, on a change of circumstances, you would wish them to do to you. And I only wish that of your abundance you would now minister to their wants; and it may be that there abundance may yet supply your wants; for so liable are all human affairs to change, that it is as possible that you rich Corinthians should need the charitable help of others as it is that those Jews, who once had need…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14But by an equality - On just and equal principles. “That now at this time,” etc. That at the present time your abundance may be a supply for their needs, so that at some future time, if there should be occasion for it, their abundance may be a supply for your needs. The idea is this. Corinth was then able to give liberally, but many of the other churches were not. They were poor, and perhaps persecuted and in affliction. But there might be great reverses…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-15Verses 10-15 Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance. When men purpose that which is good, and endeavour, according to their ability, to perform also, God will not reject them for what it is not in their power to do. But this scripture will not justify those who think…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. 1414. by an equality--"by the rule of equality" [Alford]: literally, "Out of equality." now at this time--Greek, "at the present juncture" or season. that their abundance also--The Greek being distinct from the previous "that," translate, "in order that," namely, at another season, when your relative circumstances may be reversed. The reference is solely to temporal wants and supplies. Those, as Bengel, who quote Ro 15:27 for interpreting it of spiritual…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 8:14

• Beneficence
• Giving
• Liberality

In the dictionaries

• Accept
• Accord
• Philippians, Epistle to
• Church
• Church Government
• Collection
• Contribution
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Equality
• Grace

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