2 Corinthians 8 1

2 Corinthians 8:1 kjv

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 Corinthians 8:1 nkjv

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:

2 Corinthians 8:1 niv

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.

2 Corinthians 8:1 esv

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

2 Corinthians 8:1 nlt

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 8 verses

2 Corinthians 8 1 Meaning

The brethren in Macedonia, by God's grace, demonstrated exceptional generosity and abundance in their giving, even amidst their severe poverty. This serves as a model of true Christian stewardship and selfless love.

2 Corinthians 8 1 Context

2 Corinthians chapter 8 focuses on the collection being taken for the needy saints in Jerusalem. Paul is encouraging the Corinthian church to be generous, and he uses the example of the Macedonian churches. This verse specifically highlights the faithfulness and sacrificial giving of the believers in Macedonia, such as those in Philippi and Thessalonica, who were experiencing severe poverty. Despite their own hardships, they joyfully participated in the offering. This exemplifies a transformed heart empowered by God's grace, motivated by love, and demonstrating the true nature of Christian fellowship and stewardship.

2 Corinthians 8 1 Word Analysis

• καὶ (kai): "and" - A conjunction, often connecting clauses or ideas, indicating continuity or addition.

• ἐν (en): "in" - A preposition denoting location, circumstance, or manner.

• τῇ (tē): "the" - The definite article, feminine singular genitive case, agreeing with "Macedonia."

• Μακεδονίας (Makedonias): "Macedonia" - A region in northern Greece. Refers to the churches within this region.

• χάρις (charis): "grace" - A key New Testament word signifying God's unmerited favor, kindness, and divine enablement.

• τοῦ (tou): "of" - The definite article, masculine singular genitive case, showing possession or association with "God."

• Θεοῦ (Theou): "God" - The Supreme Being.

• τῇ (tē): "the" - The definite article, feminine singular dative case, agreeing with "περισσεύματι."

• δεδομένῃ (dedomenē): "given" - Passive participle of "didomi" (to give), meaning "that has been given." Highlights divine origination and empowerment.

• αὐτοῖς (autois): "them" - Pronoun, third person plural dative, referring to the believers in Macedonia.

• ἐν (en): "in" - Preposition again, emphasizing the condition or sphere.

• περισσεύματι (perisseumati): "abundance" - Noun from "perisseuo," meaning "to be more than enough," "superabundance," "overflow." Here, it refers to the abundant grace received from God, which flowed into their generous giving.

• τῇ (tē): "the" - The definite article, feminine singular dative case, agreeing with "χαρίτι."

• οἰκονομίᾳ (oikonomia): "economy," "stewardship," "administration" - A stewardship or management, often in the context of handling resources.

• καὶ (kai): "and" - Conjunction.

• τοῖς (tois): "the" - The definite article, masculine plural dative case, agreeing with "ἀδελφοῖς."

• τοῖς (tois): "the" - The definite article, masculine plural dative case, agreeing with "ἐν."

• ἐν (en): "in" - Preposition.

• αὐτοῖς (autois): "them" - Pronoun, third person plural dative, referring to Macedonia.

• ἔργῳ (ergō): "work," "deed" - Noun, instrumental case, indicating the manifestation of the grace.

• καὶ (kai): "and" - Conjunction.

• τῇ (tē): "the" - The definite article, feminine singular dative case, agreeing with "φιλανθρωπίᾳ" (implied/understood action).

• ἐν (en): "in" - Preposition.

• τοῖς (tois): "the" - The definite article, masculine plural dative case, agreeing with "πᾶσιν" (understood noun referring to their whole manner of living or interaction).

• πᾶσιν (pasin): "all," "every" - Adjective, dative plural. This implies their wholehearted and comprehensive participation.

• χάριτι (chariti): "grace" - Noun, dative case, reinforcing the source and manner of their giving.

• ἀλλὰ (alla): "but" - A stronger adversative conjunction than "de," used here for contrast, but in context, it links the abundance of grace to the outflow of generosity.

• πρώτως (prōtōs): "first," "chiefly" - Adverb, indicating primacy or priority. This suggests their commitment was not merely a secondary action.

• ἑαυτοὺς (heautous): "themselves" - Reflexive pronoun, accusative plural, meaning they first gave themselves.

• ἔδωκαν (edōkan): "gave" - Verb, aorist indicative active, 3rd person plural of "didomi," emphatic action.

• τῷ (tō): "to the" - The definite article, masculine singular dative case, agreeing with "Κυρίῳ."

• Κυρίῳ (Kuriō): "Lord" - The title of Jesus Christ or God.

• καὶ (kai): "and" - Conjunction.

• ἡμῖν (hēmin): "to us" - Pronoun, 1st person plural dative, indicating participation or recipient.

• διὰ (dia): "through" - Preposition, often indicating agency or means.

• τῆς (tēs): "the" - The definite article, feminine singular genitive case, agreeing with "χάριτος."

• χάριτος (charitos): "grace" - Noun, genitive case, again emphasizing the source of their offering.

• Words Group Analysis:

  • "God's grace given in Macedonia": This phrase highlights that the grace mentioned is not a mere human quality but a divine gift empowering their actions. The generosity flowed from an abundant reception of God's grace.
  • "Abundance in the stewardship and work": The grace was manifested tangibly in their "economy" (or stewardship) and their "work" or deeds. This indicates organized and active participation.
  • "Their grace and love in all": The giving was characterized by grace, kindness, and love in every aspect of their involvement, suggesting a pervasive impact of God's grace.
  • "First gave themselves to the Lord": This crucial point underscores that their material giving was preceded by and rooted in their total dedication to Christ. Their possessions were surrendered because they themselves were surrendered.
  • "And to us through God's grace": The provision for the needy (represented by "us" as apostles) was also an act of God's grace, mediated through their generosity.

2 Corinthians 8 1 Bonus Section

The severe poverty of the Macedonian churches (2 Cor 8:2) paradoxically made their liberality even more remarkable. It demonstrates that true generosity is not about having much, but about giving gladly from whatever one possesses, a principle Paul elaborates on in 2 Corinthians 8:12: "For if the readiness is there, it is accepted according to what someone has, not according to what they do not have." This generosity was also infectious, inspiring other churches, like the Corinthians, to participate. It also highlights the unity of the body of Christ, where churches in less affluent circumstances can still support and serve those in greater need, fostering a shared mission. The "us" in "gave themselves... to us" refers to Paul and his companions, who were acting as conduits for this benevolent work.

2 Corinthians 8 1 Commentary

The Macedonian believers set a powerful example of generosity. Their giving was not a result of mere human effort or compulsion but originated from the "grace of God." This grace manifested itself in two key ways: first, it overflowed in an abundance ("perisseuma") within their "economy" and "work," meaning it was a principle actively managed and expressed through their diligent efforts and organized plans. Second, this grace fueled their love and willingness to give ("philanthropia," manifested in "pasi"). Crucially, they understood that true generosity begins with giving oneself fully to the Lord. Their willingness to give materially was a direct outflow of their complete surrender to Christ, which also extended to them, the apostles, through God's grace. This verse emphasizes that genuine giving is a spiritual discipline empowered by divine grace, expressed through faithful stewardship and rooted in total commitment to God and His purposes.