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 trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. 3For to their power, I bear witness, and even beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Begging us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. 6So that we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

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

• Beggingδέομαιdeomai · to prayG1189
• usἡμῶνhēmōn · of usG2257
• withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• muchπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• entreatyπαράκλησιςparaklēsis · encouragementG3874
• weἡμᾶςhēmas · usG2248
• receiveδέχομαιdechomai · to receiveG1209
• giftχάριςcharis · graceG5485
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• fellowshipκοινωνίαkoinōnia · participationG2842
• ministeringδιακονίαdiakonia · serviceG1248
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• saintsἅγιοςhagios · holy: saintG40

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:4

• 2 Corinthians 8:18And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
• Genesis 33:10And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou hast been pleased with me.
• 2 Kings 5:15And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing from thy servant.
• Acts 16:15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there . And she constrained us.
• 1 Corinthians 16:3And when I come, whomever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality to Jerusalem.
• 2 Corinthians 9:1For as concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
• Matthew 10:42And whoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.
• Matthew 12:50For whoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
• Matthew 25:40And the King shall answer and say to them, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.
• Mark 14:7For ye have the poor with you always, and whenever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
• John 19:26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
• Acts 6:1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
• Acts 9:39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
• Acts 11:29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea:
• Acts 24:17Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
• Romans 15:25But now I go to Jerusalem to minister 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