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

2that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

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

• us with muchπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• urgingπαράκλησιςparaklēsis · encouragementG3874
• favorχάριςcharis · graceG5485
• of participationκοινωνίαkoinōnia · participationG2842
• supportδιακονίαdiakonia · serviceG1248
• saintsἅγιοςhagios · holy: saintG40

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:4

• 2 Corinthians 8:18We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches;
• Genesis 33:10Jacob said, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably.
• 2 Kings 5:15When he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, “Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now.”
• Acts 16:15And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
• 1 Corinthians 16:3When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;
• 2 Corinthians 9:1For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;
• Matthew 10:42And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
• Matthew 12:50For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
• Matthew 25:40The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
• Mark 14:7For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me.
• John 19:26When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
• Acts 6:1Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.
• Acts 9:39So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
• Acts 11:29And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.
• Acts 24:17Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;
• Romans 15:25but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving 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