2 Corinthians 8:7
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
Therefore
G235
ἀλλ'
Therefore
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 27
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
περισσεύητε
ye abound
G4052
περισσεύητε
ye abound
Strong's:
G4052
Word #:
5 of 27
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
πίστει
thing in faith
G4102
πίστει
thing in faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
6 of 27
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λόγῳ
utterance
G3056
λόγῳ
utterance
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
8 of 27
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γνώσει
knowledge
G1108
γνώσει
knowledge
Strong's:
G1108
Word #:
10 of 27
knowing (the act), i.e., (by implication) knowledge
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σπουδῇ
diligence
G4710
σπουδῇ
diligence
Strong's:
G4710
Word #:
13 of 27
"speed", i.e., (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξ
G1537
ἐξ
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
16 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἀγάπῃ
love
G26
ἀγάπῃ
love
Strong's:
G26
Word #:
20 of 27
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ταύτῃ
G3778
ταύτῃ
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
24 of 27
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 9:8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:2 Thessalonians 1:3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;1 Corinthians 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.1 Corinthians 1:5That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;1 Corinthians 4:7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?2 Corinthians 8:6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.Philippians 1:9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.1 Corinthians 13:8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.2 Peter 3:18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Historical Context
Corinth was a wealthy commercial city at the crossroads of Mediterranean trade. The church included both slaves and wealthy householders (1 Corinthians 11:17-22). Their theological sophistication and spiritual gifedness (evidenced by extensive charismatic activity in 1 Corinthians 12-14) didn't automatically translate to financial generosity. Paul had to teach them that gospel transformation affects economic behavior, not just religious experience.
Questions for Reflection
- Which spiritual 'graces' come easily to you, and which require more cultivation?
- How can theological knowledge and spiritual experience coexist with financial stinginess?
- What would it mean for you to 'abound' in generosity as you do in other areas of faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also—Paul catalogues Corinthian spiritual strengths: pistis (πίστις, 'faith'), logos (λόγος, 'word/utterance'), gnōsis (γνῶσις, 'knowledge'), spoudē (σπουδή, 'earnestness/diligence'), and agapē (ἀγάπη, 'love'). These echo 1 Corinthians 1:5-7 where Paul acknowledged their giftedness. The verb perisseuō (περισσεύω, 'abound/overflow/excel') appears twice—they excel in spiritual gifts but must also excel in tautē tē chariti ('this grace') of giving.
Paul's pastoral wisdom shines here: he affirms genuine strengths before addressing weakness. The Corinthians were doctrinally informed and charismatically gifted but practically inconsistent. Paul doesn't minimize their gifts; rather, he shows that spiritual excellence without generous stewardship is incomplete. The phrase tē ex hymōn en hēmin agapē ('your love to us') reminds them of relational bonds that should motivate material support. Maturity means all graces working in harmony—doctrine, devotion, and dollars aligned.