2 Corinthians 8:2

2 Corinthians 8:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
• New International Version (NIV)In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
• English Standard Version (ESV)for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
• New King James Version (NKJV)that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

Context of 2 Corinthians 8:2

1Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 8:2 word by word

ὅτι ἐν πολλῇ δοκιμῇ θλίψεως ἡ περισσεία τῆς χαρᾶς αὐτῶν καὶ ἡ κατὰ βάθους πτωχεία αὐτῶν ἐπερίσσευσεν εἰς τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς ἁπλότητος αὐτῶν,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• How thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• a greatπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• trialδοκιμήdokimē · testG1382
• of afflictionθλῖψιςthlipsis · pressureG2347
• the abundanceπερισσείαperisseia · excessG4050
• of theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• joyχαράchara · joyG5479
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• ·κατάkata · according toG2596
• deepβάθοςbathos · depthG899
• povertyπτωχείαptōcheia · povertyG4432
• aboundedπερισσεύωperisseuō · to exceedG4052
• untoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the richesπλοῦτοςploutos · richesG4149
• liberalityἁπλότηςhaplotēs · opennessG572

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:2

• 1 Thessalonians 1:6So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:14And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:3and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.
• Nehemiah 8:10And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
• Acts 2:45They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
• Mark 12:42Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.
• Luke 21:1While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box.
• James 2:5Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?
• Revelation 2:9“I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan.
• 2 Corinthians 6:10Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
• 2 Corinthians 9:11Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
• Deuteronomy 15:4“There should be no poor among you, for the Lord your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession.
• Proverbs 11:25The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
• Isaiah 32:5In that day ungodly fools will not be heroes. Scoundrels will not be respected.
• 2 Corinthians 1:12We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
• Romans 12:8If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2In a great trial of affliction - The sense of this verse is the following: The Macedonians, though both poor and persecuted, rejoiced exceedingly that an opportunity was afforded them of doing good to their more impoverished and more persecuted brethren. We can scarcely ever speak of poverty and affliction in an absolute sense; they are only comparative. Even the poor are called to relieve those who are poorer than themselves; and the afflicted, to…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2How that, in a great trial of affliction - When it might be supposed they were unable to give; when many would suppose they needed the aid of others; or when it might be supposed their minds would be wholly engrossed with their own concerns. The trial to which the apostle here refers was doubtless some persecution which was excited against them, probably by the Jews; see Acts 16:20; Acts 17:5. The abundance of their joy - Their joy arising from the hopes…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2The churches in Macedonia included the church in Philippi. According to Acts and Philippians, this church faced many troubles and was very poor. Despite this, they generously sent gifts to Paul and supported the collection (8:4–5; Philippians 1:5; 2:25–30; 4:15–20).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. trial of affliction--The Greek expresses, "in affliction (or, 'tribulation') which tested them"; literally, "in a great testing of affliction." abundance of their joy--The greater was the depth of their poverty, the greater was the abundance of their joy. A delightful contrast in terms, and triumph, in fact, of spirit over flesh. their deep poverty--Greek, "their poverty down to the death of it." abounded unto the riches of their liberality--another…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 8:2

• Alms
• Beneficence
• Emulation
• Joy
• Macedonia
• Poor
• Tact
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Accept
• Accord
• Philippians, Epistle to
• Church
• Church Government
• Collection
• Contribution
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Grace
• Great; Greatness

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