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2 Corinthians 8:2

During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their ioy, and their deepe pouertie, abounded vnto the riches of their liberalitie. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. They have been tested by great troubles, and they are very poor. But they gave much because of their great joy. for during an ordeal of severe distress, their abundant joy and their deep poverty [together] overflowed in the wealth of their lavish generosity. that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. that in a great testing by affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the richness of their generosity. In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously. Despite severe trials, and even though they are desperately poor, their joy has overflowed in a wealth of generosity. that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty has abounded to the riches of their [free-hearted] liberality. These believers have been tested by great troubles, and they are very poor. But their great joy caused them to be very generous in their giving. Because in great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreeme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie. How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep rooted poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor. that with a great ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and the extreme depth of their poverty have overflowed to the wealth of their generosity. that in much testing of trouble, the overflowing of their joy and the depth of their poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. How while they were undergoing every sort of trouble, and were in the greatest need, they took all the greater joy in being able to give freely to the needs of others. how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. In spite of a terrible ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy, along with their deep poverty, has resulted in the abundance of their generosity.Mark 12:44;">[xr] that in the great trial of their affliction there hath been an abounding of their joy; and the depth of their poverty hath been exceeded by the riches of their simplicity. that in the great trial of their affliction, there was an abounding to their joy, and the depth of their poverty was exuberant in the riches of their liberality. Howe that ye aboundance of their reioycing is, that they are tryed with muche tribulation. And though they were exceedyng poore, yet haue they geuen exceedyng rychlye, and that in singlenesse. how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. That in a great trial of affliction, their overflowing joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality: how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous liberality. that in myche asaiyng of tribulacioun, the plente of the ioye of hem was, and the hiyeste pouert of hem was plenteuouse `in to the richessis of the symplenesse of hem. how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. That in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality. that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. They have been put to the test by much trouble, but they have much joy. They have given much even though they were very poor. for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. That, in a great testing of tribulation, the superabounding of their joy and their deep destitution, superabounded unto the riches of their liberality; That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity. for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part. how that the aboundaunce of their reioysing is that they are tried wt moche tribulacio. And therto though they were excedinge poore yet haue they geue excedinge richly and that in singlenesse. because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality; because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality; For their reioysinge was most abundaunt, whan they were tryed by moch trouble: & though they were exceadinge poore, yet haue they geue exceadinge richely, and that in synglenesse. who tho' labouring under great trial of affliction, and extreme poverty, have notwithstanding with exceeding cheerfulness contributed very liberally: being forward of themselves to the utmost of their power, These cowboys have been tested to the limit. They were in one wreck after another. These cowboys didn't have two halters between them, but they were happy riding for the brand. This type of elation led them to go from greedy to generous.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Alms;   Beneficence;   Emulation;   Joy;   Macedonia;   Poor;   Tact;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Generosity;   Liberality;   Liberality-Parsimony;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Joy;   Liberality;   Macedonian Empire, the;   Poor, the;   Titles and Names of Ministers;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Philippi;   Tithe;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Berea;   Giving;   Macedonia;   Mission;   Poor;   Titus;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Saints;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Philippians, Epistle to;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Philippi;   Romans, the Epistle to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Affliction;   Liberality;   Wealth and Materialism;   2 Corinthians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Corinthians, Second Epistle to;   Experience;   Gift, Giving;   Joy;   Paul the Apostle;   Philippians, Epistle to;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Brotherly Love;   Collection;   Fellowship (2);   Gifts;   Good;   Joy;   Righteousness;   Simplicity ;   Temptation, Trial;   Tithes ;   Tribulation;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Contribution;   Corinthians, Second Epistle to the;   Great;   Macedonia;   Philippi;   Philippians, the Epistle to;   Poverty;   Superfluous;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for July 17;   Every Day Light - Devotion for April 26;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
King James Version (1611)
How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their ioy, and their deepe pouertie, abounded vnto the riches of their liberalitie.
King James Version
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
English Standard Version
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
New American Standard Bible
that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
New Century Version
They have been tested by great troubles, and they are very poor. But they gave much because of their great joy.
Amplified Bible
for during an ordeal of severe distress, their abundant joy and their deep poverty [together] overflowed in the wealth of their lavish generosity.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
Legacy Standard Bible
that in a great testing by affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the richness of their generosity.
Berean Standard Bible
In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.
Contemporary English Version
Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously.
Complete Jewish Bible
Despite severe trials, and even though they are desperately poor, their joy has overflowed in a wealth of generosity.
Darby Translation
that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty has abounded to the riches of their [free-hearted] liberality.
Easy-to-Read Version
These believers have been tested by great troubles, and they are very poor. But their great joy caused them to be very generous in their giving.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Because in great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreeme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie.
George Lamsa Translation
How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep rooted poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
Good News Translation
They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor.
Lexham English Bible
that with a great ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and the extreme depth of their poverty have overflowed to the wealth of their generosity.
Literal Translation
that in much testing of trouble, the overflowing of their joy and the depth of their poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.
American Standard Version
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
Bible in Basic English
How while they were undergoing every sort of trouble, and were in the greatest need, they took all the greater joy in being able to give freely to the needs of others.
Hebrew Names Version
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
International Standard Version
In spite of a terrible ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy, along with their deep poverty, has resulted in the abundance of their generosity.Mark 12:44;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
that in the great trial of their affliction there hath been an abounding of their joy; and the depth of their poverty hath been exceeded by the riches of their simplicity.
Murdock Translation
that in the great trial of their affliction, there was an abounding to their joy, and the depth of their poverty was exuberant in the riches of their liberality.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Howe that ye aboundance of their reioycing is, that they are tryed with muche tribulation. And though they were exceedyng poore, yet haue they geuen exceedyng rychlye, and that in singlenesse.
English Revised Version
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
World English Bible
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
That in a great trial of affliction, their overflowing joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality:
Weymouth's New Testament
how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous liberality.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
that in myche asaiyng of tribulacioun, the plente of the ioye of hem was, and the hiyeste pouert of hem was plenteuouse `in to the richessis of the symplenesse of hem.
Update Bible Version
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
Webster's Bible Translation
That in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality.
New English Translation
that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity.
New King James Version
that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
New Living Translation
They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
New Life Bible
They have been put to the test by much trouble, but they have much joy. They have given much even though they were very poor.
New Revised Standard
for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
That, in a great testing of tribulation, the superabounding of their joy and their deep destitution, superabounded unto the riches of their liberality;
Douay-Rheims Bible
That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.
Revised Standard Version
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
how that the aboundaunce of their reioysing is that they are tried wt moche tribulacio. And therto though they were excedinge poore yet haue they geue excedinge richly and that in singlenesse.
Young's Literal Translation
because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For their reioysinge was most abundaunt, whan they were tryed by moch trouble: & though they were exceadinge poore, yet haue they geue exceadinge richely, and that in synglenesse.
Mace New Testament (1729)
who tho' labouring under great trial of affliction, and extreme poverty, have notwithstanding with exceeding cheerfulness contributed very liberally: being forward of themselves to the utmost of their power,
Simplified Cowboy Version
These cowboys have been tested to the limit. They were in one wreck after another. These cowboys didn't have two halters between them, but they were happy riding for the brand. This type of elation led them to go from greedy to generous.

Contextual Overview

1We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: 1 Moreouer, brethren, wee do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia, 1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 1 Now, brothers and sisters, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace God gave the churches in Macedonia. 1Now, brothers and sisters, we want to tell you about the grace of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia [awakening in them a longing to contribute]; 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, brothers, we want you to know about the grace God has given the churches of 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 Noach's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep were burst open, and the sky's windows 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.
Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of the life of Noah, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month—on that day all the springs of the great deep were split open, and the windows of heaven were opened.
Genesis 7:11
When Noah was six hundred years old, the flood started. On the seventeenth day of the second month of that year the underground springs split open, and the clouds in the sky poured out rain.
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 open 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 same day all the fountains of the great deep [subterranean waters] burst open, and the windows and 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 that 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 yeere of Noahs life in the second moneth, the seuetenth day of the moneth, in the same day were all 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, 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
Noah was six hundred years old when the water under the earth started gushing out everywhere. The sky opened like windows, and rain poured down for forty days and nights. All this began on the seventeenth day of the second month of the year.

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.


 
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