2 Corinthians 8:1
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
Original Language Analysis
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
4 of 15
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάριν
of the grace
G5485
χάριν
of the grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
6 of 15
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 15
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δεδομένην
bestowed
G1325
δεδομένην
bestowed
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
10 of 15
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίαις
the churches
G1577
ἐκκλησίαις
the churches
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
13 of 15
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
Cross References
Colossians 1:29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.Acts 16:9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.1 Corinthians 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.1 Thessalonians 4:10And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;Acts 11:23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.Ephesians 3:8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;Romans 15:26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.2 Corinthians 9:2For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
Historical Context
Written circa AD 56 from Macedonia, this letter addressed tensions in Corinth while organizing the Jerusalem collection—a relief offering for impoverished Jewish Christians experiencing famine (Acts 11:27-30, Romans 15:25-27). The Macedonian churches (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea) had themselves suffered persecution and poverty (Acts 16-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:14), making their generosity all the more remarkable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing generosity as 'grace' rather than obligation transform your attitude toward giving?
- What evidence of God's grace in your life should naturally overflow into generosity toward others?
- How do the Macedonian churches challenge modern prosperity gospel assumptions about God's blessing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia—Paul uses charis (χάρις, 'grace') to describe the Macedonian generosity, a striking theological move that recasts giving not as human virtue but as divine enablement. The phrase gnōrizomen hymin ('we make known to you') introduces a paradigm: the desperately poor churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea became models of sacrificial giving. Paul grounds Christian generosity in charis received, not prosperity achieved.
The Macedonians had experienced God's grace in salvation (justification), and that grace overflowed into financial generosity for the Jerusalem saints. This establishes the pattern for 2 Corinthians 8-9: giving is not primarily ethical duty but the fruit of experienced grace. When believers truly grasp their spiritual wealth in Christ, material wealth becomes a tool for kingdom purposes, not an end in itself.