2 Corinthians 8:2

Contextual Overview

¹And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ¹ And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ¹ Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, ¹Now brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, ¹Now listen to this, cowboys. Y'all ain't going to believe what God has done for all the outfits in Macedonia. ¹ And now we give you news, brothers, about the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia; ¹ But we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia; ¹ We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches of Macedonia: ¹ Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia; ¹ Moreover, brethren, we declare to you the grace of God, bestowed on the churches in Macedonia,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

in: 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 1 Thessalonians 3:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:4

the abundance: Nehemiah 8:10-12, Acts 2:45, Acts 2:46

their deep: Mark 12:42-44, Luke 21:1-4, James 2:5, Revelation 2:9

the riches: 2 Corinthians 6:10, 2 Corinthians 9:11, 2 Corinthians 9:13, Deuteronomy 15:4, Proverbs 11:25, Isaiah 32:5-8

liberality: Gr. simplicity, 2 Corinthians 1:12, Romans 12:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 36:5 - General Deuteronomy 15:11 - Thou shalt 1 Chronicles 22:14 - trouble 2 Chronicles 24:10 - rejoiced 2 Chronicles 31:5 - as soon Proverbs 3:9 - General Proverbs 19:22 - desire Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye Proverbs 26:12 - a man Song of Solomon 5:4 - put Isaiah 32:8 - the liberal Ezekiel 21:13 - Because Matthew 13:23 - some an Matthew 14:16 - they Matthew 21:3 - straightway Mark 12:43 - That Mark 12:44 - cast in of Luke 6:20 - Blessed Luke 12:33 - Sell Luke 21:3 - more Acts 11:29 - every Acts 13:52 - were Acts 28:10 - laded 2 Corinthians 8:1 - the grace 2 Corinthians 8:19 - to the 2 Corinthians 9:8 - may 2 Corinthians 11:9 - the brethren Ephesians 4:28 - that he 1 Thessalonians 4:10 - all the 1 Timothy 6:18 - ready 2 Peter 1:8 - and abound

Cross-References

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month-on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on this day all the fountains of the great deep split open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the sixe hundreth yere of Noahs lyfe, in the seconde moneth, the seuenteene day of ye moneth, in the same day were all the fountaynes of the great deepe broken vp, and the wyndowes of heauen were opened.

Genesis 7:11
On the 17th day of the second month, when Noah was 600 years old, the springs under the earth broke through the ground, and water flowed out everywhere. The sky also opened like windows and rain poured down. The rain fell on the earth for 40 days and 40 nights. That same day Noah went into the boat with his wife, his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives.

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the sixe hundrid yeer of the lijf of Noe, in the secunde moneth, in the seuententhe dai of the moneth, alle the wellis of the greet see weren brokun, and the wyndowis of heuene weren opened,

Genesis 7:11
In the sixe hundredth yeere of Noahs life, in the second moneth, the seuenteenth day of the moneth, the same day, were al the fountaines of the great deepe broken vp, and the windowes of heauen were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

How that in a great trial of affliction,.... The apostle proceeds to show the condition these churches were in when, and the manner in which, they contributed to the relief of others. They were in affliction: they received the Gospel at first in much affliction, as did the church at Thessalonica, which was one of them; and afterwards suffered much from their countrymen for the profession of it, by reproaches, persecutions, imprisonments, confiscation of goods, c. They were under trying afflictions, which tried their faith and patience, and in many of them. Now for persons in prosperity, when all things go well with them, to be liberal is no such great matter but for persons in adversity, under trying dispensations of Providence, amidst many afflictive ones to communicate generously to the relief of others, is something very remarkable, and worthy of notice and imitation, which was the case of these churches: for notwithstanding this,

the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded unto the riches of their liberality; so that it appears likewise that they were not only in great afflictions, but in deep poverty; had but an handful of meal in the barrel, and a little oil in the cruse, their purses almost empty, and their coffers almost exhausted; they had gotten to the bottom of their substance, had but very little left; and yet freely gave, with joy, even with an abundance of it. The allusion seems to be to the words of David, in 1 Chronicles 22:14 now behold, בעניי which the Septuagint render by κατα πτωχειαν μου, "according to my poverty, I have prepared for the house of the Lord an hundred thousand talents of gold", c. for by "the abundance of their joy", is not so much meant the joy they felt in the midst of their afflictions, so that they could glory in them, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God, as the cheerfulness of their spirits in contributing to the necessities of others glad at heart they were that they had hearts to do good, and an opportunity of doing it; which they gladly laid hold on, observing the divine rule, "he that sheweth mercy", let him do it "with cheerfulness": and this they did, considering the small pittance they were possessed of, very largely; for though their poverty was deep, and their purses low, their hearts were large and full, and their hands ready to communicate; so that their poverty "abounded to the riches of their liberality": though their poverty was great, their liberality was rich and large; though it might be but little they gave in quantity, it was much in quality, much in liberality; like the poor widow, who, of her want and penury, cast in more than all the rich besides, not in quantity, but in liberality; they only giving some, and a disproportionate part, she her all.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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; see Acts 16:20; Acts 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 needs of others. It is implied here:

1. That they were very poor - a fact arising probably from the consideration that the poor generally embraced the gospel first, and also because it is probable that they were molested and stripped of their property in persecutions (compare Heb). Acts 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 favorable 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 labor 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 - Margin, “Simplicity.” The word (ἁπλότης haplotēs) used here means properly sincerity, candor, probity; then Christian simplicity, integrity; then liberality; see Romans 12:8 (Margin,); 2 Corinthians 9:11, 2 Corinthians 9:13. 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 8:2. 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.