The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 8:15 Explained

2 Corinthians 8:15

KJV: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

YLT: according as it hath been written, 'He who did gather much, had nothing over; and he who did gather little, had no lack.'

Darby: According as it is written, He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little was nothing short.

ASV: as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

As  it is written,  He that [had gathered  ] much  had  nothing  over;  and  he that [had gathered  ] little  had  no  lack. 

What does 2 Corinthians 8:15 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul illustrated the fact that God wants all of His people to have enough by citing the Israelites" situation in the wilderness ( Exodus 16:18). Some of the Israelites gathered more manna and some gathered less for various reasons. Nevertheless they all had their needs met. God saw to that, though the Old Testament does not explain exactly how He did it. Now the Corinthians needed to see to it that what God had provided them in abundance reached those who did not have enough. As they did this, they would become God"s agents in maintaining sufficiency for all.
God has always wanted all His people to have enough and to share with their brethren who have less when they have more. We should implement this principle of relative equality in our giving. God"s desire is the same today as it has been throughout history. This is clear from Paul"s appeal to the past ( 2 Corinthians 8:15). There are no easy answers to how we can effect this relative equality in our world with its gigantic population and complex socio-economic-political problems. Moreover God"s will is not exactly the same for every Christian. Paul appealed implying that the Corinthians could decide what they wanted to do ( 2 Corinthians 8:10-12). Nevertheless our responsibility is clear.

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

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 8:15 mean?

As it has been written He the much not did abound and little had lack
καθὼς γέγραπται τὸ πολὺ οὐκ ἐπλεόνασεν καὶ ὀλίγον ἠλαττόνησεν

γέγραπται  it  has  been  written 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γράφω 
Sense: to write, with reference to the form of the letters.
πολὺ  much 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
ἐπλεόνασεν  did  abound 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: πλεονάζω  
Sense: to superabound.
ὀλίγον  little 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὀλίγος  
Sense: little, small, few.
ἠλαττόνησεν  had  lack 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐλαττονέω  
Sense: to be less, inferior, (in possessions).

What are the major concepts related to 2 Corinthians 8:15?

Loading Information...