2 Corinthians 8:2
New International Version
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

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.

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.

Berean Standard Bible
In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.

Berean Literal Bible
that in much proof of tribulation, the abundance of their joy and of their deep poverty abounded into the riches of their generosity.

King James Bible
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

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 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.

NASB 1995
that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.

NASB 1977
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.

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.

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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth 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.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For in the many trials of their afflictions there was an abundance to their joy, and the depth of their poverty was made to superabound in the wealth of their generosity.

Contemporary English Version
Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously.

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.

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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
While they were being severely tested by suffering, their overflowing joy, along with their extreme poverty, has made them even more generous.

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.

International Standard Version
In spite of their terrible ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and deep poverty have led them to be abundantly generous.

Literal Standard Version
because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality;

Majority Standard Bible
In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.

New American Bible
for in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

NET Bible
that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity.

New Revised Standard Version
for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

New Heart 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.

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.

Weymouth New Testament
how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous liberality.

World English Bible
how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.

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;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Generosity Commended
1Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia. 2 In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,…

Cross References
Matthew 20:15
Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

Romans 2:4
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you to repentance?

Romans 12:8
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

2 Corinthians 2:9
My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.


Treasury of Scripture

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.

in.

1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

1 Thessalonians 2:14
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

1 Thessalonians 3:3,4
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto…

the abundance.

Nehemiah 8:10-12
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength…

Acts 2:45,46
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need…

their deep.

Mark 12:42-44
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing…

Luke 21:1-4
And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury…

James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

the riches.

2 Corinthians 6:10
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

2 Corinthians 9:11,13
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God…

Deuteronomy 15:4
Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it:

liberality.

2 Corinthians 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Romans 12:8
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Jump to Previous
Abounded Abundance Affliction Amid Boundless Deep Extreme Generosity Generous Great Greater Greatest Increase Joy Liberality Need Ordeal Overflowed Overflowing Part Passing Poverty Proof Rich Riches Severe Test Trial Trouble Undergoing Wealth
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Abounded Abundance Affliction Amid Boundless Deep Extreme Generosity Generous Great Greater Greatest Increase Joy Liberality Need Ordeal Overflowed Overflowing Part Passing Poverty Proof Rich Riches Severe Test Trial Trouble Undergoing Wealth
2 Corinthians 8
1. He stirs them to a generous gift for the poor saints at Jerusalem, by the example of the Macedonians;
7. by commendation of their former forwardness;
9. by the example of Christ;
14. and by the spiritual profit that shall redound to themselves thereby;
16. commending to them the integrity and willingness of Titus, and those other brothers.














(2) In a great trial of affliction.--We do not know what is specially referred to, but a community of Christians in a heathen city was always exposed to trials of this kind, and the temper shown before by the rulers at Philippi and the Jews of Thessalonica (Acts 16:19-20; Acts 17:5-6; 1Thessalonians 2:14) makes it almost certain that they would carry on at least a petty persecution with more or less persistency. The "poverty" at Philippi may possibly be connected with the preponderance of women in the Church there, as indicated in Acts 16:13. In the absence of the bread-winners of a household, Christian women in a Graeco-Roman city would find but scanty means of subsistence. In part, however, the churches were but sharers in a widely-spread distress. Macedonia and Achaia never recovered from the three wars between Caesar and Pompeius, between the Triumvirs and Brutus and Cassius, and between Augustus and Antonius. Under Tiberius, they petitioned for a diminution of their burdens, and were accordingly transferred for a time from the jurisdiction of the senate to that of the emperor, as involving a less heavy taxation.

Unto the riches of their liberality.--The primary meaning of the word, as in 2Corinthians 1:12 (where see Note), is simplicity, or singleness of purpose. That singleness, when shown in gifts, leads to "liberality," and so the word had acquired the secondary sense in which it seems here to be used. Tyndale, and Cranmer, however, give "singleness," and the Rhemish version "simplicity." "Liberality" first appears in that of Geneva. . . .

Verse 2. - In a great trial of affliction; rather, in much testing of affliction; i.e. in an affliction which put to the proof their Christian character. "They were not simply afflicted," says St. Chrysostom, "but in such a way as also to become approved by their endurance." (For the word rendered "trial," see Romans 5:4, and in this Epistle, 2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 9:13; 2 Corinthians 13:3.) "Affliction" seems to have befallen the Churches of Macedonia very heavily (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14), chiefly through the jealousy of the Jews, who excited the hatred of the Gentiles (Acts 16:20; Acts 17:5, 13). The abundance of their joy. Another reference to joy in sadness (see on 2 Corinthians 7:4). There is not the least necessity to understand the verb "is" or "was" after this clause. "The abundance... abounded" is indeed a pleonasm, but is not at all unlike the style of St. Paul. He means to say that their joy overflowed their affliction, and their liberality overflowed their poverty (Mark 12:44). Their deep poverty; literally, their pauperism to the depth; their abysmal penury. Though they were βαθύπτωχοι, they showed themselves in generosity to be βαθυπλουτοι. Stanley refers to Arnold's 'Roman Commonwealth,' where he mentions that the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia, which had suffered greatly in the three civil wars, appealed successfully to Tiberius for a diminution of their burdens. The gift of the Macedonians was like the widow's mite (Luke 21:3, 4, where similar words occur - perisseuo, husterema). Of their liberality; rather, of their singleness of purpose or simplicity (Ephesians 6:5). The "grace" and single-heartedness to which he alludes showed themselves in liberality.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] terrible
πολλῇ (pollē)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

ordeal
δοκιμῇ (dokimē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1382: A trial, proof; tried, approved character. From the same as dokimos; test; by implication, trustiness.

they suffered,
θλίψεως (thlipseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2347: Persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation. From thlibo; pressure.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

abundant
περισσεία (perisseia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4050: Abundance, superfluity. From perisseuo; surplusage, i.e. Superabundance.

joy
χαρᾶς (charas)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5479: Joy, gladness, a source of joy. From chairo; cheerfulness, i.e. Calm delight.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

deep
βάθους (bathous)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 899: From the same as bathus; profundity, i.e. extent; mystery.

poverty
πτωχεία (ptōcheia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4432: Poverty, destitution. From ptocheuo; beggary, i.e. Indigence.

overflowed
ἐπερίσσευσεν (eperisseusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4052: From perissos; to superabound, be in excess, be superfluous; also to cause to superabound or excel.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

rich
πλοῦτος (ploutos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4149: From the base of pletho; wealth, i.e. money, possessions, or abundance, richness, valuable bestowment.

generosity.
ἁπλότητος (haplotētos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 572: Simplicity, sincerity, purity, graciousness. From haplous; singleness, i.e. sincerity, or generosity.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 8:2 How that in much proof of affliction (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 8:1
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