2 Corinthians 8:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness

NIV: Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.

NASB: For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality—

CSB: It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality.

NLT: Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.

KJV: For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

NKJV: For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened;

When Christianity was established in Jerusalem after Pentecost, it became renowned in the wider community for sharing all things in common. Every believer in a congregation was provided for because every Christian gave what they had to meet the needs of others (Acts 2:44–45). This practice is not commanded specifically for churches, but Paul describes a version of it in this verse.

He makes clear to the Christians in Corinth that he does not expect them to give so much to the Christians in Jerusalem that they become destitute. Nor is he seeking for them to suffer while the Jerusalem believers experience a life of ease. He is not asking the Corinthians to give everything they have or more than they have.

Paul does believe, though, that there should be fairness among the Christian community. It doesn't make sense to him that some believers should live on the verge of starvation while others lived to excess. He offers more detail in the following verses.

Second Corinthians 8:1–15 begins with Paul's praise for the churches in Macedonia. These believers begged to be included in giving to a collection for the suffering Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their own commitment to do the same thing of their own free will as an act of grace. In doing so, they will also be following the example of Jesus' sacrifice for them. They should give proportionally, using their abundance to meet the need of other believers so that all may have enough.

The Corinthians had previously agreed to contribute to a collection. This was for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Paul raises the issue with them, pointing to the example of the poverty-stricken Macedonian churches who had given beyond their means of their own free will. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their commitment by their own choice. Titus and two representatives of other churches are coming to Corinth to oversee the collection so it is done with integrity. Paul urges the Corinthians to prove their love by following through on their commitment to give.

Second Corinthians 8 follows Paul's expression of comfort and rejoicing at what he learned from Titus. That news explained the Corinthians' repentance in response to Paul's letter of rebuke. Next Paul urges them to follow through on a commitment to contribute to a collection for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He points to the example of the generous gifts of the poverty-stricken Macedonian churches and asks the Corinthians to prove that their own Christlike love for others is genuine by excelling in this, as well. Titus and two delegates from other churches will come to Corinth to oversee the collection. In chapter 9, Paul will continue to discuss this ministry opportunity.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

Accessed 5/19/2024 9:04:11 PM