2 Corinthians 8 · Verse 2

2 Corinthians 8:2

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, King James Version

2 Corinthians 8:2 in other translations

BSB	In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.
WEB	how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.
ASV	how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
YLT	because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality;
DARBY	that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty has abounded to the riches of their free-hearted liberality.
BBE	How while they were undergoing every sort of trouble, and were in the greatest need, they took all the greater joy in being able to give freely to the needs of others.
Webster	That in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality.

What does 2 Corinthians 8:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

2. 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 beautiful contrast in terms: their poverty had the effect, not of producing stinted gifts, but of "abounding in the riches of liberality" (not as Margin, "simplicity"; though the idea of singleness of motive to God's glory and man's good, probably enters into the idea); (compare Ro 12:8, and Margin; 2Co 9:11, Margin; see on 2Co 9:13; Jas 1:5).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 2. How 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. Acts 16:20, 17:5.

The abundance of their joy. Their joy arising from the hopes and promises of the gospel. Notwithstanding their persecutions, their joy has abounded, and the effect of their joy has been seen in the liberal contribution which they have made. Their joy could not be repressed by their persecution, and they cheerfully contributed largely to the aid of others.

And their deep poverty. Their very low estate of poverty was made to contribute liberally to the wants of others. It is implied here,

(1.) that they were very poor--a fact arising probably from the consideration that the poor gene- rally embraced the gospel first, and also because it is probable that they were molested and stripped of their property in persecutions. Comp. Heb 10:34.

(2.) That notwithstanding this they were enabled to make a liberal contribution--a fact demonstrating that a people can do much even when poor, if all feel disposed to do it, and that afflictions are favourable to the effort. And,

(3.) that one cause of this was the joy which they had even in their trials. If a people have the joys of the gospel; if they have the consolations of religion themselves, they will somehow or other find means to contribute to the welfare of others. They will be willing to labour with reference to it, or they will find something which they can sacrifice or spare. Even their deep poverty will abound in the fruits of benevolence.

Abounded. They contributed liberally. Their joy was manifested in a large donation, notwithstanding their poverty.

Unto the riches of their liberality, Marg., "simplicity." The word (απλοτης) here used, means properly sincerity, candour, probity; then Christian simplicity, integrity; then liberality. See Rom 12:8, (Marg.;) 2Cor 9:11,13. The phrase, "riches of liberality," is a Hebraism, meaning rich or abundant liberality; The sense is, their liberality was much greater than could be expected from persons so poor; and the object of the apostle is to excite the Corinthians to give liberally by their example.

(b) "deep poverty" Mk 12:44 (1) "liberality" "simplicity"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 2 In 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 comfort those who are more afflicted than they are. The poor and afflicted Churches of Macedonia felt this duty, and therefore came forward to the uttermost of their power to relieve their more impoverished and afflicted brethren in Judea.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:1-6

The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the Macedonians. So far from needing that Paul should urge them, they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we use or lay out for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 8:1-6 →

2 Corinthians 8:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὅτιhotithatG3754

ἐνeninG1722

πολλῇpollēamuchG4183

δοκιμῇdokimēaproofG1382

θλίψεωςthlipseōsof tribulationG2347

ἡhētheG3588

περισσείαperisseiaexcessG4050

τῆςtēsof theG3588

χαρᾶςcharasjoyG5479

αὐτῶνautōnof themG846

καὶkaiandG2532

ἡhē<the>G3588

κατὰkataofG2596

βάθουςbathousdeepG899

πτωχείαptōcheiapovertyG4432

αὐτῶνautōnof themG846

ἐπερίσσευσενeperisseusenaboundedG4052

εἰςeisintoG1519

τὸtotheG3588

πλοῦτοςploutosrichesG4149

τῆςtēsof theG3588

ἁπλότητοςhaplotētosgenerosityG572

αὐτῶν,autōnof them,G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 8:2

James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Proverbs 11:25
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
2 Corinthians 6:10
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Deuteronomy 15:4
Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the Lord shall greatly bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it:
2 Corinthians 9:13
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
1 Thessalonians 3:3-4
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
Revelation 2:9
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Luke 21:1-4
And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
Mark 12:42-44
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
Isaiah 32:5-8
The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.
Romans 12:8
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

in.
1Th 1:6; 2:14; 3:3,4
the abundance.
Ne 8:10-12; Ac 2:45,46
their deep.
Mr 12:42-44; Lu 21:1-4; Jas 2:5; Re 2:9
the riches.
6:10; 9:11,13; De 15:4; Pr 11:25; Isa 32:5-8
liberality. Gr. simplicity.
1:12; Ro 12:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Corinthians 8:1
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 Corinthians 8:2
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 8:3
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Read all of 2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:2 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Que en grande prueba de tribulación, la abundancia de su gozo y su profunda pobreza abundaron en riquezas de su bondad.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	c’est que, dans une grande épreuve de tribulation, l’abondance de leur joie et leur profonde pauvreté ont abondé dans la richesse de leur libéralité.
German Elberfelder 1871	daß bei großer Drangsalsprüfung die Überströmung ihrer Freude und ihre tiefe Armut übergeströmt ist in den Reichtum ihrer Freigebigkeit.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	quod in multo experimento tribulationis abundantia gaudii ipsorum fuit, et altissima paupertas eorum, abundavit in divitias simplicitatis eorum: