2 Corinthians 8 2

2 Corinthians 8:2 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.

2 Corinthians 8:2 nkjv

that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

2 Corinthians 8:2 niv

In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

2 Corinthians 8:2 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.

2 Corinthians 8:2 nlt

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.

2 Corinthians 8 verses

2 Corinthians 8 2 Meaning

This verse describes the exemplary generosity of the Macedonian churches despite their severe suffering and extreme poverty. It highlights a paradox where their intense affliction and destitution did not diminish their joy but rather propelled an overwhelming outpouring of liberal giving, demonstrating the divine grace at work within them. Their joy, far from being stifled by hardship, superabounded and translated into a rich, spontaneous willingness to share, showcasing that true spiritual wealth is not tied to material circumstances.

2 Corinthians 8 2 Context

Chapter 8 of 2 Corinthians is part of Paul's instructions to the Corinthian church concerning the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Paul uses the Macedonian churches as a prime example of spontaneous, sacrificial, and joyous giving, appealing to the Corinthians to complete their previously pledged contribution. Historically, Macedonia was a Roman province, and cities like Philippi and Thessalonica, home to these churches, had faced considerable persecution (e.g., Acts 16-17; 1 Thess 2:14-16) and often economic hardship due to various factors including Roman policies and societal pressures against Christians. This verse establishes that despite their "great trial of affliction" and "deep poverty," their contribution was remarkable, driven by God's grace and an overflow of spiritual joy. It challenges the common human tendency to hoard in times of scarcity, showcasing a spiritual principle contrary to worldly wisdom.

2 Corinthians 8 2 Word analysis

• in a great trial of affliction: The Greek phrase is "ἐν πολλῇ δοκιμῇ θλίψεως" (en pollē dokimē thlipseōs).
  • δοκιμῇ (dokimē): This word signifies a test, proof, or approval after testing. It implies that their affliction was not random but a situation through which their faith and character were being proven. It's about enduring and coming through.
  • θλίψεως (thlipseōs): Means tribulation, distress, pressure, or suffering. It paints a picture of intense external hardship, crushing them from all sides. The "great" (πολλῇ - pollē) amplifies the intensity of this experience.
  This isn't merely suffering, but a divinely permitted proving of their faith through profound suffering, a test that they demonstrably passed.
• the abundance of their joy: Greek "ἡ περισσεία τῆς χαρᾶς αὐτῶν" (hē perisseia tēs charas autōn).
  • περισσεία (perisseia): Means abundance, overflow, superabundance, or surplus. It suggests something beyond mere sufficiency, a copious outpouring.
  • χαρᾶς (charas): Refers to joy, delight, gladness.
  This highlights a paradox: great suffering somehow produced an overflow of joy, not a reduction. This joy is not circumstantial but deeply spiritual, rooted in their faith and relationship with Christ, enduring through and perhaps even because of their trials.
• and their deep poverty: Greek "ἡ κατὰ βάθους πτωχεία αὐτῶν" (hē kata bathous ptōcheia autōn).
  • κατὰ βάθους (kata bathous): This intensifier literally means "according to depth" or "down to the bottom." It denotes absolute, extreme, or abject poverty, to the point of being a beggar or having nothing at all. It is more severe than simply lacking resources.
  • πτωχεία (ptōcheia): Poverty, destitution. It refers to the state of being poor or begging.
  This describes an indigence that reaches the deepest level, an economic state of utter deprivation.
• abounded in the riches of their liberality: Greek "ἐπερίσσευσεν εἰς πλοῦτος τῆς ἁπλότητος αὐτῶν" (eperisseusen eis ploutos tēs haplotētos autōn).
  • ἐπερίσσευσεν (eperisseusen): Past tense of "abound" or "overflow," reflecting the result of their joy and grace. It means it superabounded, it became exceedingly plentiful. It mirrors the "abundance of their joy."
  • πλοῦτος (ploutos): Riches, wealth, abundance. Again, a stark contrast with their "deep poverty." This "wealth" is spiritual, expressed in their generosity.
  • ἁπλότητος (haplotētos): Means single-mindedness, simplicity, sincerity, generosity, or liberality. It implies giving without ulterior motives, with a clear and honest heart. Their giving was characterized by integrity and open-handedness, free from complication or pretense.
  This phrase presents the ultimate paradox: material destitution did not prevent a superabundance of generosity. Their "riches" were not monetary but spiritual and moral, manifesting in genuine, simple-hearted giving.

• Words-group Analysis:
  • "in a great trial of affliction" vs. "the abundance of their joy": This pairing reveals a powerful spiritual principle: external hardship (affliction) can, by God's grace, become the very ground for an internal overflow of spiritual joy. It is not joy despite the suffering, but a joy that is deeply intertwined with enduring and being proven in suffering. This defies natural human reaction, demonstrating divine work.
  • "their deep poverty" vs. "abounded in the riches of their liberality": This juxtaposition is central to the verse. Material lack to the point of utter destitution paradoxically gives way to an overflow of rich generosity. This is not just generosity from their poverty, but a demonstration that spiritual riches (faith, love, joy) translate into practical generosity, superseding material limitations. It teaches that one's capacity to give is not dictated by one's possessions, but by one's heart, enabled by grace. Their poverty served to highlight the authentic and Spirit-empowered nature of their giving, as it couldn't be attributed to surplus or ease.

2 Corinthians 8 2 Bonus section

The Macedonian churches, particularly those in Philippi and Thessalonica, had a track record of generosity and enduring affliction, as seen in Paul's letters to them. Their spiritual vitality was not dependent on outward prosperity or comfort but grew strong even in the face of immense pressure. Paul cites them not as an impossible ideal, but as a practical example that with God's grace, generous giving can emerge even from the most difficult circumstances, showing that true stewardship and spiritual fruit are independent of one's financial standing. Their willingness to give went beyond their "ability" (as noted in the subsequent verse, 2 Cor 8:3), indicating a giving prompted not by duty or ease, but by divine impulsion and deep desire to participate in God's work.

2 Corinthians 8 2 Commentary

This verse presents a profound paradox, serving as a powerful testimony to God's grace and the transformative power of the Gospel. The Macedonian believers were suffering intense persecution and extreme material poverty. Yet, far from becoming despondent or selfish, their trials fueled an astonishing overflow of joy which, in turn, produced a boundless generosity. This wasn't merely giving from their poverty, but a demonstration of spiritual abundance shining through physical deprivation. Their "riches of liberality" highlight that true wealth is measured by a heart yielded to God and overflowing in sacrificial love, not by earthly possessions. Their actions testify that genuine giving is a spiritual act, unhindered by circumstance, propelled by God's grace, and an outcome of a Christ-centered joy.