2 Corinthians 8:9 — meaning, Hebrew and Greek word study, commentary
2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
to be a beggar · verb — aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular
that
ἵναina
G2443
compare G3588 (ὁ)) · conjunction
ye
ὑμεῖςhymeîs
G5210
you (as subjective of verb)
his
ἐκείνουekeinou
G1565
that one (or (neuter) thing) · demonstrative pronoun — genitive singular masculine
poverty
πτωχείᾳptōcheia
G4432
beggary · noun — dative singular feminine
rich
πλουτήσητε.ploutēsēte
G4147
to be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively) · verb — aorist active subjunctive, 2nd person plural
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (James Strong, 1890/1894), public domain; digitized by Open Scriptures (CC BY-SA). KJV word tagging: eBible.org (public domain). Original-language text, parsing and brief lexicon: STEPBible.org data from Tyndale House, Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
Cross-references
Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Philippians 2:6-8 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace a…
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
James 2:5 Hearken, 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 t…
Cross-references from OpenBible.info (CC BY), in the lineage of the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain).
Commentary
Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
In these verses the apostle uses several cogent arguments to stir up the Corinthians to this good work of charity.
I. He urges upon them the consideration of their eminence in other gifts and graces, and would have them excel in this of charity also, Co2 8:7. Great address and much holy art are here used by the apostle. When he would persuade the Corinthians to this good thing, he commends them for other good things that were found in them. Most people love to be complimented, especially when we ask a gift of them for ourselves or others; and it is a justice we owe to those in whom God's grace shines to give them their due commendation. Observe here, What it was that the Corinthians abounded…
ye know the grace--the act of gratuitous love whereby the Lord emptied Himself of His previous heavenly glory (Phi 2:6-7) for your sakes.
became poor--Yet this is not demanded of you (Co2 8:14); but merely that, without impoverishing yourselves, you should relieve others with your abundance. If the Lord did so much more, and at so much heavier a cost, for your sakes; much more may you do an act of love to your brethren at so little a sacrifice of self.
might be rich--in the heavenly glory which constitutes His riches, and all other things, so far as is really good for us (compare Co1 3:21-22).
Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ - This was the strongest argument of all; and it is urged home by the apostle with admirable address.
Ye know - Ye are acquainted with God's ineffable love in sending Jesus Christ into the world; and ye know the grace - the infinite benevolence of Christ himself.
That, though he was rich - The possessor, as he was the creator, of the heavens and the earth; for your sakes he became poor - he emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant, and humbled himself unto death, even the death of the cross; that ye, through his poverty - through his humiliation and death, might be rich - might regain your f…
But in this the truth is also shown to be what was written, that Jesus Christ, "although he was rich, became a poor man." Therefore, for this reason, he chose both a poor mother, from whom he was born, and a poor homeland, about which it is said, "And you, Bethlehem, you are the least among the tribes of Judah" and the rest.
And why does the appellation "poor man" disturb you? Remember your nature—that you came into the world naked and naked will leave it again. What is more destitute than a naked man? You have been called nothing that is derogatory, unless you make the terms used really applicable to yourself. Who was ever hauled to prison because he was poor? It is not being poor that is reprehensible but failing to bear poverty with nobility. Recall that the Lord, "being rich, became poor for our sakes."
He is said to have become poor as Christ, because God deigned to be born as a man, humbling the power of his divinity, so that he might acquire for mankind the riches of divinity; as the Apostle Peter says, that we might be partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Therefore, he became man, so that he might unite man to God, as it is written, 'I said, 'You are gods'' (Psalm 82:6). In this way, they are encouraged to become poor by giving generously; may their poverty benefit them, just as the poverty of Christ benefited us. And indeed, Christ became poor for our sake, but we in order to benefit.
The Church Fathers: public-domain translations (Ante-Nicene and Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers), verse-indexed by SermonIndex (CC BY 4.0).
Dictionary and topics
Collection — The Christians in Palestine, from various causes, suffered from poverty. Paul awakened an interest in them among the Gentile churches, and made pecuniary collections in their behalf (Acts 24:17; Rom.…
Philippians, Epistle to — Was written by Paul during the two years when he was “in bonds” in Rome (Phil. 1:7-13), probably early in the year A.D. 62 or in the end of 61. The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus, their messenger,…
Poor — The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important. (1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Lev. 19:9, 10; Deut. 24:19, 21). (2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their…
Beneficence · 18:5,7-9; — 18:5,7-9;
Christ, Character Of · Self-denying — Self-denying
Example · CHRIST, OUR — CHRIST, OUR
Example Of Christ, The · Conformity to, required in: Benevolence — Conformity to, required in: Benevolence
Humility Of Christ, The · Exhibited in his: Poverty — Exhibited in his: Poverty
Liberality · 3:10-12; — 3:10-12;
Poor · 7:10; — 7:10;
Selfishness · The example of Christ condemns — The example of Christ condemns
Dictionary: Easton's (1897) and Smith's (1863), public domain. Topics: Nave's Topical Bible (1896) and Torrey's Topical Textbook (1897), public domain. Both as parsed by NEUU (CC BY 4.0).
John Gill on 2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus,.... This is a new argument, and a very forcible one to engage to liberality, taken from the wonderful grace and love of Christ, displayed in his state of humiliation towards his people; which is well known to all them that have truly believed in Christ; of this they are not and cannot be ignorant, his love, good will, and favour are so manifest; there are such glaring proofs of it in his incarnation, sufferings, and death, that leave no room for any to doubt of it:
that though he was rich; in the perfections of his divine nature, having the fulness of the Godhead in him, all that the Father has, and so equal to him; such as eternity, immutability, in…
2 Corinthians 8:8-12
8. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
8. Non secundum imperium loquor, sed per aliorum sollicitudinem, et vestrae dilectionis sinceritatem approbans.
9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
9. Nostis enim gratiam Domini nostri Iesu Christi, quod propter vos pauper factus sit, quum esset dives: ut vos illius paupertate ditesceretis.
10. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
10. Et…
The model for generous giving is the Lord himself, who was rich in the Father’s presence (John 17:5, 24) yet became poor by accepting a human existence and death on the cross (see Phil 2:6-11). By that self-giving sacrifice, he could make people rich with the blessings of salvation.
