Bible Chapter Summary
2 Corinthians 8 Summary
Generous Giving and Willing Hearts
Paul commends the churches of Macedonia for their grace to the saints, noting that in a great trial of affliction, their abundant joy and deep poverty resulted in rich liberality, giving beyond their power out of willingness. The Macedonians gave themselves first to the Lord and to the apostles, demonstrating sincere love. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to abound in this grace of giving as they abound in faith, knowledge, and diligence. He explains that Christ, though rich, became poor for their sakes that they might become rich through His poverty, and he counsels them to perform the doing of giving, for if there is a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Corinthians 8:1-3
“Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;”
2 Corinthians 8:9
“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 8:11-12
“Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.”
2 Corinthians 8:14
“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:”
Read 2 Corinthians 8 in full
Study the complete chapter with interlinear Hebrew & Greek, verse-by-verse, in the Gospel Daily reader.
Open the full chapter