2 Corinthians 8:2
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
How that
G3754
ὅτι
How that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
1 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
πολλῇ
a great
G4183
πολλῇ
a great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
3 of 23
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
δοκιμῇ
trial
G1382
δοκιμῇ
trial
Strong's:
G1382
Word #:
4 of 23
test (abstractly or concretely); by implication, trustiness
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν·
of their
G846
αὐτῶν·
of their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
poverty
G2596
κατὰ
poverty
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
13 of 23
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
βάθους
deep
G899
βάθους
deep
Strong's:
G899
Word #:
14 of 23
profundity, i.e., (by implication) extent; (figuratively) mystery
πτωχεία
G4432
αὐτῶν·
of their
G846
αὐτῶν·
of their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐπερίσσευσεν
abounded
G4052
ἐπερίσσευσεν
abounded
Strong's:
G4052
Word #:
17 of 23
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
18 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλοῦτον
the riches
G4149
πλοῦτον
the riches
Strong's:
G4149
Word #:
20 of 23
wealth (as fulness), i.e., (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specially), valuable bestowment
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
James 2:5Hearken, 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?Proverbs 11:25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.Deuteronomy 15:4Save 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:Revelation 2:9I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.2 Corinthians 6:10As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.2 Corinthians 9:13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;Romans 12:8Or 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.1 Thessalonians 1:6And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
Historical Context
The Macedonian churches had recently endured severe persecution (Acts 17:5-9, 1 Thessalonians 2:14). Thessalonica experienced mob violence; Philippi had imprisoned Paul and Silas (Acts 16:19-40). Yet these congregations, economically devastated by Roman taxation and local hostility, gave sacrificially to Jerusalem believers they'd never met—a stunning demonstration of Christian unity transcending ethnic and economic barriers.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does suffering plus gospel joy produce generosity, while prosperity often produces hoarding?
- How does the Macedonian example challenge the excuse 'I'll give more when I have more'?
- What 'abundance of joy' in Christ might free you from anxiety about material security?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
In a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality—Paul presents a divine paradox: thlipsis (θλῖψις, 'affliction/tribulation') plus ptōcheia (πτωχεία, 'beggarly poverty') produced ploutos tēs haplotētos (πλοῦτος τῆς ἁπλότητος, 'wealth of liberality/generosity'). The Macedonians were ptōchoi—destitute beggars, not merely poor—yet they gave richly. The preposition kata ('into/unto') suggests their poverty didn't limit but somehow energized their giving.
This verse demolishes the worldly equation that prosperity produces generosity. Instead, Paul argues that suffering plus joy (notice 'abundance of joy' coexisting with 'deep poverty') produces supernatural generosity. The Macedonians possessed nothing yet gave everything—a pattern reflecting Christ himself (v. 9). Their haplotēs (simplicity, sincerity, generosity) came not from surplus but from hearts transformed by the gospel.