2 Corinthians 8:13
in 2 Corinthians 8It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed;
KJV
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 8
Commentary
10 notes on this verseThen when he says, "I do not mean," he removes a suspicion. For someone could say: if we give alms to the saints in Jerusalem, they will live in idleness, while we suffer a loss and become wretched. Therefore the Apostle first removes the suspicion; …
This site's exposition
that there may be equality
on 2 Corinthians 8:13-15
Paul names the aim as isotes, equality: your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. The citation is Exodus 16:18, the manna, where every gathering ended in enough.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
It is true that giving should not cause hardship to the givers. But at the same time, a person ought not to keep more than he needs for himself.
And yet Christ praised the contrary conduct in the widow's case, that she emptied out all of her living and gave out of her want. But because he was discoursing to Corinthians amongst whom he chose to suffer hunger; "for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void;" he therefore uses a tempered exhortation, praising indeed those who had done beyond their power, but not compelling these to do so; not because he did not desire it, but because they were somewhat weak. For wherefore doth he praise those, because "in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality:" and because they gave "beyond their power?" is it not very evident that it is as inducing these also to this conduct? So that even if he appears to permit a lower standard; he doth so, that by it he may raise them to this.
The Medieval Church1 voice
You, he says, are not obligated to give beyond your means so that others may live in luxury and pleasure while you suffer want and sorrow from it. The Lord praised the widow who gave all that she had (Mk. 12:44). But Paul does not …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. 23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture
For I mean not that other men be eased and you burdened.
3 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
For I mean not that other men be eased ... - I do not intend that others should be eased in order to relieve you. Literally, “Not that there should be rest (ἄνεσις anesis, a letting loose; remission, relaxation) to others, but affliction (θλίψις thlipsis) to you.” Probably the Corinthians were able to contribute more than many other churches, certainly more than the churches of Macedonia 2Co 8:2, and Paul therefore presses upon them the duty of giving according to their means, yet he by no means intended that the entire burden should come on them.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
For--Supply from 2Co 8:8, "I speak." My aim is not that others (namely, the saints at Jerusalem) may be relieved at the cost of your being "distressed" (so the Greek for "burdened"). The golden rule is, "Love thy neighbour as thyself," not more than thyself.
That other men be eased - I do not design that you should impoverish yourselves in order that others may live affluently.
The words behind it
7 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| οὐ | ou | Not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| ἵνα | ina | that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| ἄλλοις | allois | to others [there may be] | G243 → | 155 times |
| ἄνεσις, | anesis | ease | G425 → | 5 times |
| ὑμῖν | humin | but for you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| θλῖψις, | thlipsis | affliction, | G2347 → | 44 times |
οὐNot
ouG3756 →1664 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
ἵναthat
inaG2443 →668 times
ἄλλοιςto others [there may be]
alloisG243 →155 times
ἄνεσις,ease
anesisG425 →5 times
ὑμῖνbut for you
huminG4771 →2973 times
θλῖψις,affliction,
thlipsisG2347 →44 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
5 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Acts 4:34There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales,
it leads to
- Acts 2:45
Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.
- Luke 16:9
I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.
- Luke 12:33
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
- Deuteronomy 2:7
Indeed, the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. The LORD your God has been with you these…
- Mark 10:21
Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then…
- Acts 2:45
Where this verse is studied
On this page
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On this verse
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homilies on Second Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily 17 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.