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.
• 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.
• 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

2In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.

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 8:18And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.
• Genesis 33:10“No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.
• 2 Kings 5:15Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
• Acts 16:15When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
• 1 Corinthians 16:3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.
• 2 Corinthians 9:1There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people.
• Matthew 10:42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
• Matthew 12:50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
• Matthew 25:40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
• Mark 14:7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.
• John 19:26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,”
• Acts 6:1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
• Acts 9:39Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
• Acts 11:29The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.
• Acts 24:17“After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
• Romans 15:25Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there.

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