SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:14
sino para que en este tiempo, por la equidad, vuestra abundancia supla la falta de los otros, para que tambin la abundancia de ellos otra vez supla vuestra falta, y haya igualdad;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:14
Verse 14. But by an equality] That you may do to those who are distressed now, as, on a change of circumstances, you would wish them to do to you. And I only wish that of your abundance you would now minister to their wants; and it may be that there abundance may yet supply your wants; for so liable are all human affairs to change, that it is as possible that you rich Corinthians should need the charitable help of others as it is that those Jews, who once had need of nothing, should now be dependent on your bounty. That there may be equality] That ye may exert yourselves so in behalf of those poor people that there may be between you an equality in the necessaries of life; your abundance supplying them with that of which they are utterly destitute.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. But by an equality , etc..] All that he meant was, that there might be an equality both in givers and receivers, proportioned to their several circumstances and stations of life: that now at this time ; which was a very necessitous time at Jerusalem, there being a famine there, and their common stock exhausted: your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want ; which respects either the different abilities of givers at different times; and that whereas now the church at Corinth was rich, and wealthy, and had great abundance of the things of this world, they in this general collection were able to make up the deficiencies of other churches; and so should it ever be their case, as it might be, that they should be reduced, and these other churches increased, and enjoy a large abundance, they might hereafter in their turn supply what would be wanting in them: or else the persons given to; and the sense is, that should they ever change circumstances, as it was not impossible that they that were now rich should become poor, and they that were poor become rich; then as their abundance had been a supply to the wants of others, the abundance of others in their turn would be a supply to their wants; so that the argument is taken from the hope of retribution, in case of such vicissitudes; (see Luke 6:38) his view was, that there may be equality ; either that in time to come an equal return may be made, should it be necessary; or that at present some sort of equality might be observed between the rich and poor; that the rich should so distribute as not to leave themselves without a proper support, according to their station of life; and yet so freely communicate, that the poor may not be without food and raiment, suitable to their lower sphere of life.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 10-15 - Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and giv hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing withou good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unles there is perseverance. When men purpose that which is good, an endeavour, according to their ability, to perform also, God will no reject them for what it is not in their power to do. But this scriptur will not justify those who think good meanings are enough, or that goo purposes, and the mere profession of a willing mind, are enough to save. Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world and to some less, that those who have abundance might supply others wh are in want. It is the will of God, that by our mutual supplying on another, there should be some sort of equality; not such a levelling a would destroy property, for in such a case there could be no exercis of charity. All should think themselves concerned to relieve those in want. This is shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the wilderness, Ex 16:18. Those who have most of this world, have no mor than food and raiment; and those who have but little of this world seldom are quite without them.
Greek Textus Receptus
ινα 2443 CONJ και 2532 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN εκεινων 1565 D-GPM περισσευμα 4051 N-NSN γενηται 1096 5638 V-2ADS-3S εις 1519 PREP το 3588 T-ASN υμων 5216 P-2GP υστερημα 5303 N-ASN οπως 3704 ADV γενηται 1096 5638 V-2ADS-3S ισοτης 2471 N-NSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
14. By an equality (ex isothtov). Ex as in ver. 11, according to. I speak on the principle that your abundance should go to equalize the difference created by their want.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:14 {By equality} (ex isotetos). Old word from isos, fair, equal. In N.T. only here and #Col 4:1. {Abundancy} (perisseuma). Late word from perisseuw like perisseia (verse #2) Cf. #Mt 12:34. {Want} (husterema). Late word from husterew, to be in want. See also #9:12; Lu 21:4 (cf. husteresis in #Mr 12:44).
