2 Corinthians 8 9

2 Corinthians 8:9 kjv

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 nkjv

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 niv

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 esv

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 nlt

You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

2 Corinthians 8 verses

2 Corinthians 8 9 Meaning

Christ, who was rich in heavenly glory, became poor by His incarnation and earthly life so that through His poverty, believers might become rich in spiritual blessings, having forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and a relationship with God. This richness is not material but divine.

2 Corinthians 8 9 Context

This verse is found in the second letter to the Corinthians, written by the Apostle Paul. Paul is addressing the Corinthian church, which he had established. He is writing about the collection he is taking for the needy believers in Jerusalem. He highlights the generosity of the Macedonian churches, praising their cheerful giving despite their own poverty (2 Cor 8:1-5). Paul then commends Titus for his work among the Corinthians and encourages them to complete their pledged offering, using the example of Christ's sacrifice to motivate them. This particular verse serves as the ultimate model and motivation for their generosity.

2 Corinthians 8 9 Word Analysis

• but (δέ, de): A conjunction indicating a contrast.
• know (γινώσκετε, ginōskete): Second person plural present active indicative of γινώσκω (ginōskō), meaning "to know," "to understand," or "to perceive." It implies experiential knowledge.
• you (ὑμῶν, hymōn): Second person plural possessive pronoun, referring to the Corinthian believers.
• the (τὴν, tēn): Feminine accusative singular definite article.
• grace (χάριν, charin): Accusative of χάρις (charis), meaning "grace," "favor," or "kindness." It is the grace of Jesus Christ.
• of (τοῦ, tou): Genitive masculine singular definite article.
• our (ἡμῶν, hēmōn): First person plural possessive pronoun.
• Lord (Κυρίου, Kyriou): Genitive masculine singular of Κύριος (Kyrios), meaning "Lord." Refers to Jesus Christ.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦ, Iēsou): Genitive masculine singular of Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous), meaning "Jesus."
• Christ (Χριστοῦ, Christou): Genitive masculine singular of Χριστός (Christos), meaning "Christ" (Anointed One).
• though (ὅτι, hoti): Can function as "because" or "that." Here, it introduces the reason for their spiritual richness.
• he (αὐτός, autos): Third person masculine singular pronoun, referring to Jesus Christ.
• being (ὑπάρχων, hyparchōn): Present participle of ὑπάρχω (hyparchō), meaning "to exist," "to be," or "to be found." It emphasizes His existing state of wealth.
• rich (πλούσιος, plousios): Adjective meaning "wealthy," "rich," or "abundant."
• for (ὑπὲρ, hyper): Preposition meaning "for," "on behalf of," or "because of." It signifies that Christ's action was on their behalf.
• your (ὑμῶν, hymōn): Second person plural possessive pronoun.
• sakes (χάριν, charin): Accusative of χάρις (charis), meaning "for the sake of."
• though (ἐπτώχευσεν, eptōcheusen): Aorist active indicative of πτωχεύω (ptōcheuō), meaning "to become poor," "to beggar," or "to be reduced to poverty." This verb emphasizes a complete impoverishment.
• he (αὐτός, autos): Third person masculine singular pronoun.
• for (εἰς, eis): Preposition indicating motion into or "for" a purpose.
• your (ὑμῶν, hymōn): Second person plural possessive pronoun.
• sake (πτωχείαν, ptōcheian): Accusative feminine singular of πτωχεία (ptōcheia), meaning "poverty," "beggary," or "destitution." This describes the extent of Christ's impoverishment.
• might (ἵνα, hina): Particle used to express purpose, "so that."
• become (πλουτήσητε, ploutēsēte): Second person plural aorist subjunctive active of πλουτέω (plouteō), meaning "to be rich" or "to enrich." The subjunctive mood indicates a desired outcome or purpose.
• rich (πλουτήσητε, ploutēsēte): As above.

Word Group Analysis:The core of the verse presents a deliberate exchange: Christ's wealth for our poverty. "Rich" (plousios) and "poor" (ptōcheia/ptōcheuō) are contrasted, highlighting the totality of the exchange. The use of the aorist tense (eptōcheusen) underscores the definitive nature of Christ's action. The purpose clause ("so that") emphasizes the intentionality behind Christ's humbling.

2 Corinthians 8 9 Bonus Section

The concept of Christ becoming poor so that we might become rich is central to the doctrine of the atonement and the transference of righteousness. Christ bore our poverty of sin and condemnation, and in return, imputes His righteousness and eternal riches to us. This is not a merit-based exchange but a gracious gift received by faith. The poverty Christ experienced was not merely temporal but also spiritual, bearing the weight of sin on the cross, making us rich in holiness and communion with God.

2 Corinthians 8 9 Commentary

This verse is a profound theological statement about the nature of salvation and the generosity of Christ. It's the motivation for sacrificial giving. Christ, the uncreated, eternally existing Son of God, full of divine glory and possessing all things, voluntarily divested Himself of His heavenly riches. He did this by becoming human (incarnation) and living a life of humility and suffering, ultimately experiencing death on the cross. This was not for His own benefit, but entirely for our benefit, so that through His extreme poverty (His self-emptying), we, who were spiritually poor and bankrupt due to sin, could become spiritually rich. This spiritual richness includes forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and all the blessings of our covenant relationship with God. The generosity of the Corinthians was to be a reflection of Christ's ultimate generous act.

• Practical Application: Just as Christ gave all, believers are called to give sacrificially and cheerfully from what God has blessed them with, recognizing that their spiritual wealth far surpasses any material possession.
• Giving from Poverty: The example of the Macedonian churches (mentioned in chapter 8) demonstrated that poverty does not preclude generous giving; rather, their deep experience of God's grace enabled their abundant liberality.