The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 8:14 Explained

2 Corinthians 8:14

KJV: 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:

YLT: 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,

Darby: but on the principle of equality; in the present time your abundance for their lack, that their abundance may be for your lack, so that there should be equality.

ASV: 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:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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: 

What does 2 Corinthians 8:14 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 8:1-15 - Stimulating To Liberality
Surely the plea for a generous gift of money toward the collection which Paul was making for the poor saints in Jerusalem, could not have been more tenderly and convincingly urged than it is urged here. He begins by mentioning the generosity of the Christians in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, who were very poor, the inference being that the wealthier Corinthians would make similar sacrifices. He quotes the example of the Lord Jesus, who made Himself poor that they might be enriched and who for nineteen centuries since has had the joy of enriching myriads of souls. Paul reminds the Corinthians that a year ago they had resolved to make this gift. Finally he sketches his fair dream of reciprocity between church and church, so that wherever there was need the supplies of Christian benevolence should flow forth to meet it.
Notice, then, that Christian liberality originates in the grace of God, ministers abundant joy to those who give, is not staunched by deep poverty, begins with the consecration of the giver's soul to God, and does not wait to be entreated, because it demands the privilege of ministering thus to the lack of Christ's body. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 8:14

By equality [εχ ισοτητος]
Old word from ισος — isos fair, equal. In N.T. only here and Colossians 4:1. [source]
Abundancy [περισσευμα]
Late word from περισσευω — perisseuō like περισσεια — perisseia (2 Corinthians 8:2) Cf. Matthew 12:34. Want (υστερημα — husterēma). Late word from υστερεω — hustereō to be in want. See also 2 Corinthians 9:12; Luke 21:4 (cf. υστερησις — husterēsis in Mark 12:44). [source]
Want [υστερημα]
Late word from υστερεω — hustereō to be in want. See also 2 Corinthians 9:12; Luke 21:4 (cf. υστερησις — husterēsis in Mark 12:44). [source]
By an equality [ἐξ ἰσότητος]
Ἑξ as in 2 Corinthians 8:11, according to. I speak on the principle that your abundance should go to equalize the difference created by their want. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 8:14

1 Corinthians 16:17 That which was lacking on your part [τὸ ὑμέτερο ὑστέρημα]
Or the (i.e. my ) lack of you. The Greek will bear either rendering. Compare Philemon 2:30; 2 Corinthians 8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:12. The latter is preferable. Edwards, somewhat naively says: “I do not see what could be lacking on the part of the Corinthians which Stephanas and his two friends could supply at Ephesus.” [source]
Colossians 1:24 Fill up on my part [ανταναπληρω]
Very rare double compound verb (here only in N.T.) to fill It is now Paul‘s “turn” at the bat, to use a baseball figure. Christ had his “turn,” the grandest of all and suffered for us all in a sense not true of any one else. It is the idea of balance or correspondence in αντι — anti as seen in Demosthenes‘s use of this verb (De Symm., p. 282), “the poor balancing the rich.” And yet Christ did not cause suffering to cease. There is plenty left for Paul and for each of us in his time. That which is lacking (τα υστερηματα — ta husterēmata). “The left-overs,” so to speak. Late word from υστερεω — hustereō to come behind, to be left, to fail. See Luke 21:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:12. For his body‘s sake As Paul showed in his exultation in suffering in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, though not in the same sense in which Christ suffered and died for us as Redeemer. Paul attaches no atoning value whatever to his own sufferings for the church (see also Colossians 1:18). [source]
Colossians 1:24 That which is lacking [τα υστερηματα]
“The left-overs,” so to speak. Late word from υστερεω — hustereō to come behind, to be left, to fail. See Luke 21:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:12. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:12 That [οπως]
Rare with Paul compared with ινα — hina (1 Corinthians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 8:14). Perhaps here for variety (dependent on ινα — hina clause in 2 Thessalonians 1:11). [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 8:14 mean?

At the present time - your abundance [will be] for the of those need so that also their may be for of you so that there may be equality
ἐν τῷ νῦν καιρῷ τὸ ὑμῶν περίσσευμα εἰς τὸ ἐκείνων ὑστέρημα ἵνα καὶ ἐκείνων γένηται εἰς ὑμῶν ὅπως γένηται ἰσότης

ἐν  At 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐν 
Sense: in, by, with etc.
νῦν  present 
Parse: Adverb
Root: νῦν  
Sense: at this time, the present, now.
καιρῷ  time 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: καιρός  
Sense: due measure.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὑμῶν  your 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
περίσσευμα  abundance 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: περίσσευμα  
Sense: abundance, in which one delights.
εἰς  [will  be]  for 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
ἐκείνων  of  those 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἐκεῖνος  
Sense: he, she it, etc.
ὑστέρημα  need 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὑστέρημα  
Sense: deficiency, that which is lacking.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
γένηται  may  be 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ὅπως  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅπως  
Sense: how, that.
γένηται  there  may  be 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ἰσότης  equality 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἰσότης  
Sense: equality.

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