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Generosity Commended
In this part of 2 Corinthians, the writer explains generosity by pointing to other believers, to Jesus Christ, and to a principle of fairness. Giving is described as grace, willingness, and practical help for people in need.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
The letter tells the Corinthians about the assemblies of Macedonia and their generous giving during hardship. Titus is urged to help complete a collection already begun among the Corinthians. The writer says this is advice rather than a command and explains willing, proportionate giving for the service of the saints.
2 Corinthians 8:1–15Main takeaway
This passage teaches that generous giving flows from God’s grace, begins with willing hearts, and aims to meet real needs fairly.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Grace seen in generous peopleThe passage begins by making known “the grace of God” in the assemblies of Macedonia. Their giving stands out because it happens during “a severe ordeal of affliction” and “deep poverty”.
Explanation
The passage begins by making known “the grace of God” in the assemblies of Macedonia. Their giving stands out because it happens during “a severe ordeal of affliction” and “deep poverty”. Yet joy and poverty together overflow into generosity. The letter presents their giving as evidence of God’s grace at work.
02Giving starts with offering themselvesThe Macedonians gave according to their power, and even beyond it, of their own accord. They strongly wanted to share in “the service to the saints”, called both “grace” and “fellowship”.
Explanation
The Macedonians gave according to their power, and even beyond it, of their own accord. They strongly wanted to share in “the service to the saints”, called both “grace” and “fellowship”. Most importantly, they first gave themselves to the Lord and then to the writer and his companions through God’s will.
03The Corinthians are urged to complete this graceBecause Titus had already begun this work, he is urged to help the Corinthians complete it.
Explanation
Because Titus had already begun this work, he is urged to help the Corinthians complete it. They already abound in faith, utterance, knowledge, earnestness, and love, so they are urged to abound in this grace as well. The letter says this is not a command, but a way of showing sincere love.
04Christ’s grace shapes Christian givingThe appeal is grounded in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, he became poor for their sake, so that they might become rich through his poverty.
Explanation
The appeal is grounded in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, he became poor for their sake, so that they might become rich through his poverty. The letter also reminds them that they had already begun this work earlier, not only in action but also in willingness.
05Willing, proportionate giving for equalityThe Corinthians are told to complete what they started, matching earlier readiness with present action.
Explanation
The Corinthians are told to complete what they started, matching earlier readiness with present action. What is acceptable is giving according to what a person has, not what they do not have. The goal is not distress for one group and ease for another, but equality, where abundance supplies lack.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What makes the Macedonians’ generosity surprising in this passage?
Look at how the letter places their joy, affliction, poverty, and generosity together, and notice that their giving was voluntary.
02According to the passage, what came before the Macedonians’ gift itself?
Notice the order in the text: they first gave themselves to the Lord, then shared in the service to the saints.
03How does the letter describe acceptable giving and its goal?
Focus on the phrases about readiness, ability, and equality, rather than assuming everyone is asked to give the same amount.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Corinthians 8:1–15
1Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,
2how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.
3For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
4begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.
5This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
6So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.
7But as you abound in everything—in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us—see that you also abound in this grace.
8I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
9For 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.
10I give advice in this: it is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.
11But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
13For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,
14but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack, that there may be equality.
15As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”