2 Corinthians 8:13
11 Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means.
12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.
14 At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.
15 As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.
- KJV
- For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
- WEB
- For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,
- ASV
- For [I say] not [this] that others may be eased [and] ye distressed;
- DARBY
- For [it is] not in order that there may be ease for others, and for you distress,
- BLB
- For [it is] not that to others [is] relief [and] for you⁺ tribulation, but of equality.
- ÅB
- For dette sier jeg, ikke for at andre skal ha lettelse og dere trengsel,
- OTB
- For dette er ikke ment å lette andre og belaste dere, men som et spørsmål om rettferdighet—
- B1930
- For dette sier jeg, ikke forat andre skal ha lettelse og I trengsel,
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Acts 4:34
There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales,
Read in contextRomans 15:26–27
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
Read in context