2 Corinthians 8:14
in 2 Corinthians 8At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality:
KJV
But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 8
Commentary
15 notes on this verseBut by an equality - That you may do to those who are distressed now, as, on a change of circumstances, you would wish them to do to you. And I only wish that of your abundance you would now minister to their wants; and it may be that there abundance may yet supply your wants; for so liable are all human affairs to change, that it is as possible that you rich Corinthians should need the charitable help of others as it is that those Jews, who once had need of nothing, should now be dependent on your bounty.
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.
This site's exposition
Then there will be equality
Adam Clarke notes that fortunes change, so the rich Corinthians might one day need the help of others. John Wesley finds a further sense, the prayers of the poor in Judea bringing spiritual blessings on those who gave. Both readings keep the exchange mutual.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
The equality Paul is speaking of consists in the fact that because they are ministering to the saints this time they will be repaid by them in the future, for they are making the saints their debtors.
A commentator
CyprianTreatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews · Written before 258.
proposed
Of this same thing also in the second Epistle to the Corinthians: "Let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may be the supplement of your want, that there may be equality: as it is written, He who had much had not excess; and he who had little had no lack."
For not only by the words he has before used but by these also, he is desirous of making the commandment light. Nor yet from this consideration alone, but from that of the recompense also, again he maketh it easier; and uttereth higher things than they deserve, saying, "That there may be equality at this time, and their abundance" a supply "for your want." Now what is it that he saith? 'Ye are flourishing in money; they in life and in boldness towards God.' 'Give ye to them, therefore, of the money which ye abound in but they have not; that ye may receive of that boldness wherein they are rich and ye are lacking.' See how he hath covertly prepared for their giving beyond their power and of their want. 'For,' he saith, 'if thou desirest to receive of their abundance, give of thine abundance; but if to win for thyself the whole, thou wilt give of thy want and beyond thy power.' He doth not say this, however, but leaves it to the reasoning of his hearers; and himself meanwhile works out his object and the exhortation that was meet, adding in keeping with what appeared, the words, that "there may be equality at this time." How equality? You and they mutually giving your superabundance, and filling up your wants. And what sort of equality is this, giving spiritual things for carnal? for great is the advantage on that side; how then doth he call it "equality?" either in respect of each abounding and wanting, doth he say that this [equality] takes place; or else in respect of the present life only. And therefore after saying "equality," he added, "at this time." Now this he said, both to subdue the high-mindedness of the rich, and to show that after our departure hence the spiritual possess the greater advantage. […]
The Medieval Church2 voices
A commentator
BonaventureDisputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 2 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
Again, 2 Corinthians 8: Let your abundance supply their want, so that their abundance also may be a supplement to your want. The Gloss: "Let your abundance of earthly things supply their want, so that conversely the abundance of their spiritual merits, who are devoted …
Learn therefore, brothers, to despise all temporal things; learn to scorn passing honor, to love eternal glory. Honor those whom you see as poor, and those whom you observe outwardly as despised by the world, consider them inwardly as friends of God. Share with them what you have, so that one day they may deign to share with you what they have. Consider what is said by the mouth of the teacher of the nations: "In this time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may be a supplement to your want." Consider what Truth itself says in person: "As long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me." Why are you slow to give, when what you extend to one lying on earth you give to him who sits in heaven?
7 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church2 voices
That is, you are rich in possessions, while they are rich in boldness before God. Therefore give them from the abundance of your possessions what they do not have, so that you may receive in return the boldness in which they are rich and in …
He discloses his intention when he says, "but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want." As if to say: I do not seek your affliction, but an equality, namely, that your abundance supply their want. This …
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
It may likewise have a further meaning:-that as the temporal bounty of the Corinthians did now supply the temporal wants of their poor brethren in Judea, so the prayers of these might be a means of bringing down many spiritual blessings on their benefactors: so that all the spiritual wants of the one might be amply supplied; all the temporal of the other.
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
But by an equality,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
by an equality--"by the rule of equality" [ALFORD]: literally, "Out of equality." now at this time--Greek, "at the present juncture" or season. that their abundance also--The Greek being distinct from the previous "that," translate, "in order that," namely, at another season, when your relative circumstances may be reversed.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
But by an equality - On just and equal principles. “That now at this time,” etc. That at the present time your abundance may be a supply for their needs, so that at some future time, if there should be occasion for it, their abundance may be a supply for your needs. The idea is this. Corinth was then able to give liberally, but many of the other churches were not. They were poor, and perhaps persecuted and in affliction. But there might be great reverses in their condition. Corinth might be reduced from its affluence, and might itself from its affluence, and might itself become dependent on the aid of others, or might be unable to contribute any considerable amount for the purposes of charity. The members of the church in Corinth, therefore, should so act in their circumstances of prosperity, that others would be disposed to aid them should their condition ever be such as to demand it. And the doctrine here taught is: (1) That the support of the objects of benevolence should be on equal principles. The rich should bear an equal and fair proportion, and if more frequent demands are made on their benefaction than on others they should not complain. (2) Christians should contribute liberally while they have the means. In the vicissitudes of life no one can tell how soon he may be unable to contribute, or may even be dependent on the charity of others himself. A change in the commercial world; losses by fire or at sea; lack of success in business; loss of health, and the failure of his plans, may soon render him unable to aid the cause of benevolence. While he is prospered he should embrace every opportunity to do good to all. Some of the most painful regrets which people ever have, arise from the reflection that when prospered they were indisposed to give to benefit others, and when their property is swept away they become unable. […]
The words behind it
24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἐν | en | At | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τῷ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| νῦν | nun | present | G3568 → | 145 times |
| καιρῷ | kairo | time | G2540 → | 84 times |
| τὸ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ὑμῶν | humon | your | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| περίσσευμα | perisseuma | excess | G4051 → | |
| εἰς | eis | [will be] for | G1519 → | 1755 times |
| τὸ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἐκείνων | ekeinon | of those | G1565 → | 260 times |
| ὑστέρημα, | husterema | need, | G5303 → | 9 times |
| ἵνα | ina | so that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| τὸ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἐκείνων | ekeinon | their | G1565 → | 260 times |
| περίσσευμα | perisseuma | excess | G4051 → | |
| γένηται | genetai | may be | G1096 → | 667 times |
| εἰς | eis | for | G1519 → | 1755 times |
| τὸ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ὑμῶν | humon | of you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| ὑστέρημα, | husterema | need, | G5303 → | 9 times |
| ὅπως | hopos | so that | G3704 → | |
| γένηται | genetai | there may become | G1096 → | 667 times |
| ἰσότης | isotes | equality | G2471 → |
ἐνAt
enG1722 →2738 times
τῷthe
toG3588 →19766 times
νῦνpresent
nunG3568 →145 times
καιρῷtime
kairoG2540 →84 times
τὸ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
ὑμῶνyour
humonG4771 →2973 times
περίσσευμαexcess
perisseumaG4051 →
εἰς[will be] for
eisG1519 →1755 times
τὸthe
toG3588 →19766 times
ἐκείνωνof those
ekeinonG1565 →260 times
ὑστέρημα,need,
husteremaG5303 →9 times
ἵναso that
inaG2443 →668 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
τὸ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
ἐκείνωνtheir
ekeinonG1565 →260 times
περίσσευμαexcess
perisseumaG4051 →
γένηταιmay be
genetaiG1096 →667 times
εἰςfor
eisG1519 →1755 times
τὸthe
toG3588 →19766 times
ὑμῶνof you
humonG4771 →2973 times
ὑστέρημα,need,
husteremaG5303 →9 times
ὅπωςso that
hoposG3704 →
γένηταιthere may become
genetaiG1096 →667 times
ἰσότηςequality
isotesG2471 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 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…
- Acts 2:45
Through
2 Corinthians 9:12For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
it leads to
- Philemon 1:4–7
I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers,
- 2 Corinthians 8:14–15
At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.
- Philippians 2:25
But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.
- 1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
- Philemon 1:4–7
Where this verse is studied
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 15 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; Bonaventure, Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 2; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Cyprian, Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews; Gregory the Dialogist, Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 40; 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); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.