2 Corinthians 8

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul tells of "the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia," who in "deep poverty" gave "beyond their power" and "first gave their own selves to the Lord." He urges the Corinthians to finish their own gift, pointing to "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor," and asks for "a willing mind" and "equality." He is sending Titus and two brothers with the gift, "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." 2 Corinthians 8:1 2 Corinthians 8:2 2 Corinthians 8:3 2 Corinthians 8:5 2 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 8:9 2 Corinthians 8:12 2 Corinthians 8:14 2 Corinthians 8:16 2 Corinthians 8:18 2 Corinthians 8:21 2 Corinthians 8:22

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Paul; the churches of Macedonia; Titus, "my partner and fellowhelper"; and "the brother, whose praise is in the gospel." 2 Corinthians 8:1 2 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 8:18 2 Corinthians 8:23 2 Corinthians overview

Where

The giving churches are in Macedonia; Paul writes from there to Corinth. 2 Corinthians 8:1 Macedonia 2 Corinthians overview

When

Paul notes the Corinthians began "a year ago." Traditionally about AD 55-57, some months after 1 Corinthians, during Paul's third journey. Scholars agree that Paul wrote it; many think it gathers more than one of his letters to Corinth. 2 Corinthians 8:10 2 Corinthians overview

How it fits

Chapter 7 ended "I have confidence in you in all things." Chapter 9 continues the same subject: "as touching the ministering to the saints." 2 Corinthians 7:16 2 Corinthians 8:4 2 Corinthians 9:1

Key verses

Verse 5
"First gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." 2 Corinthians 8:5
Verse 9
"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 8:9
Verse 15
"He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack." Paul quotes Exodus 16:18. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18

Takeaway

Give yourself to the Lord first, then give willingly, remembering how Christ became poor for you. 2 Corinthians 8:5 2 Corinthians 8:9 2 Corinthians 8:12

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.

The example of Macedonia

¹Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; ²How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. ³For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; ⁴Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. ⁵And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. ⁶Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. ⁷Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

Christ became poor

⁸I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. ⁹For 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. ¹⁰And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. ¹¹Now 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. ¹²For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. ¹³For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: ¹⁴But 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: ¹⁵As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

Titus and the brethren

¹⁶But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. ¹⁷For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. ¹⁸And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; ¹⁹And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: ²⁰Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: ²¹Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. ²²And 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. ²³Whether 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. ²⁴Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.