2 Corinthians 8:14

Verse

At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.

American Standard Version (1901)

but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality:

Bible in Basic English

But so that things may be equal; that from those things of which you have more than enough at the present time their need may be helped, and that if you are in any need they may be a help to you in the same way, making things equal.

Douay-Rheims 1899

In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality,

Free Bible Version

At the moment you have more than enough and can meet their needs, and in turn when they have more than enough they can meet your needs. In that way everyone is treated fairly.

Geneva Bible 1599

That also their aboundance may bee for your lacke, that there may be equalitie:

King James (Authorized) Version

But 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:

Translation for Translators

Right now, when you have ◄more than you need/plenty► and the believers in Judea do not have ◄enough/all that they need►, with your gift you will enable them to have enough. Maybe some day when you do not have ◄enough/all that you need► and they have more than they need, they will be able to help you. Then everyone will have enough (OR, In that way each will share alike).

Unlocked Literal Bible

Your abundance at the present time will supply what they need. This is also so that their abundance may supply your need, and so that there may be fairness.

Noah Webster Bible

But 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:

World English Bible

but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack, that there may be equality.

Young's Literal Translation

but by equality, at the present time your abundance — for their want, that also their abundance may be for your want, that there may be equality,

Context

Generosity Commended

¹³It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.¹⁴At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality. ¹⁵As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

Summary

This verse highlights the principle of equality in giving, emphasizing that the goal is not to burden one group while relieving another, but rather to ensure fairness and mutual support among believers. It encourages a spirit of generosity and sharing within the Christian community, reflecting the love and unity that should characterize the body of Christ. By promoting a sense of balance and equity in giving, this verse underscores the importance of caring for one another's needs and working together in harmony for the common good.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

But by an equality - That you may do to those who are distressed now, as, on a change of circumstances, you would wish them to do to you. And I only wish that of your abundance you would now minister to their wants; and it may be that there abundance may yet supply your wants; for so liable are all human affairs to change, that it is as possible that you rich Corinthians should need the charitable help of others as it is that those Jews, who once had need of nothing, should now be dependent on your bounty. That there may be equality - That ye may exert yourselves so in behalf of those poor people that there may be between you an equality in the necessaries of life; your abundance supplying them with that of which they are utterly destitute.

John Gill Bible Commentary

As it is written,.... In Exo 16:18 he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; respect is had to the history of the manna, a sort of food God prepared for the Israelites in the wilderness; and which were gathered by them every morning, by some more, by others less; and yet when it came to be measured, every man had his "omer" and no more, one had nothing over, and the other not at all deficient; each man had his proper and equal quantity; and which, by the Jews (w), is looked upon as a miracle that was wrought: many useful instructions may be learned from this history, as that as there was a general provision made by God for the Israelites, good and bad, and the mixed multitude that came from Egypt with them; so there is an universal providence of God which reaches to all creatures, even to the vegetable, to the birds of the air, and beasts of the field, to all the individuals of human nature, and to the bad among them as well as the good; though to the latter it is more special, who of all men have the least reason to be distrustful and uneasy: and as that provision was daily, so is that providential supply which all creatures have from God; he is to be trusted to, and depended on daily; application is to be made to him every day for daily bread; nor should there be any anxious concern for the morrow. Moreover, as the Israelites, though the manna was prepared for them, were to rise in the morning and gather it before the sun waxed hot; so notwithstanding the providence of God, and the daily care he takes of men, yet diligence, industry, and the use of means are highly commendable. And as some gathered more and others less, yet upon measuring it with the "omer", there was an entire equality, one had not more nor less than another; so upon the winding up of things in Providence, such as have gathered much riches in the morning of life, in the evening of death will have nothing over, nor anything to show more than others; and they that have gathered little will appear to have had no lack; both will have had food and raiment, and no more, only with this difference, some will have enjoyed a richer diet and clothing, and others a meaner, and both suitable to their circumstances in life; which may instruct us to depend upon divine Providence, daily to be content with such things as we have, and to make a proper use of what is gathered, whether more or less, and not only for ourselves, but for the good of others. This discovers the egregious folly of such, who are anxiously concerned for the gathering and amassing much worldly riches together; which when they have done, they lay it up for themselves, and do not make use of it for common good, neither for the good of civil society, nor the interest of religion. Let it be observed, that those Israelites who from a selfish covetous disposition, and distrust of divine Providence, left of their manna till the morning, "it bred worms and stank": which was by the just judgment of God inflicted as a punishment; for otherwise it was capable of being kept longer. So when covetous mortals lay up for themselves for time to come, and do not communicate to the necessities of others, such a practice breeds and produces worms, moth, and rottenness in their estates, which gradually decrease, or are suddenly taken from them, or they from them: such an evil disposition is the root and cause of many immoralities in life; it greatly prejudices professors of religion in things spiritual; and it tends to their everlasting ruin, to breed that worm of an evil conscience that will never die, and to render their persons stinking and abominable, both in the sight of God and men. (w) Jarchi & Aben Ezra in Exod. xvi. 18. Tzeror Hammor, fol. 76. 3.

2 Corinthians 8:14

Generosity Commended

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.

American Standard Version (1901)

but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality:

Bible in Basic English

Douay-Rheims 1899

In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality,

Free Bible Version

At the moment you have more than enough and can meet their needs, and in turn when they have more than enough they can meet your needs. In that way everyone is treated fairly.

Geneva Bible 1599

That also their aboundance may bee for your lacke, that there may be equalitie:

King James (Authorized) Version

But 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:

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

Your abundance at the present time will supply what they need. This is also so that their abundance may supply your need, and so that there may be fairness.

Noah Webster Bible

But 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:

World English Bible

but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack, that there may be equality.

Young's Literal Translation

but by equality, at the present time your abundance — for their want, that also their abundance may be for your want, that there may be equality,

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

2 Corinthians 8:14

Verse

Context

Generosity Commended

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

2 Corinthians 8:14

Generosity Commended

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary