SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:2
que en grande prueba de tribulacin, la abundancia de su gozo permaneci, y su profunda pobreza abund en riquezas de su bondad.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:2
Verse 2. In a great trial of affliction] The sense of this verse is the following: The Macedonians, though both poor and persecuted, rejoiced exceedingly that an opportunity was afforded them of doing good to their more impoverished and more persecuted brethren. We can scarcely ever speak of poverty and affliction in an absolute sense; they are only comparative. Even the poor are called to relieve those who are poorer than themselves; and the afflicted, to comfort those who are more afflicted than they are. The poor and afflicted Churches of Macedonia felt this duty, and therefore came forward to the uttermost of their power to relieve their more impoverished and afflicted brethren in Judea.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. How that in a great trial of affliction , etc..] The apostle proceeds to show the condition these churches were in when, and the manner in which, they contributed to the relief of others. They were in affliction: they received the Gospel at first in much affliction, as did the church at Thessalonica, which was one of them; and afterwards suffered much from their countrymen for the profession of it, by reproaches, persecutions, imprisonments, confiscation of goods, etc.. They were under trying afflictions, which tried their faith and patience, and in many of them. Now for persons in prosperity, when all things go well with them, to be liberal is no such great matter; but for persons in adversity, under trying dispensations of Providence, amidst many afflictive ones to communicate generously to the relief of others, is something very remarkable, and worthy of notice and imitation, which was the case of these churches: for notwithstanding this, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded unto the riches of their liberality ; so that it appears likewise that they were not only in great afflictions, but in deep poverty; had but an handful of meal in the barrel, and a little oil in the cruse, their purses almost empty, and their coffers almost exhausted; they had gotten to the bottom of their substance, had but very little left; and yet freely gave, with joy, even with an abundance of it. The allusion seems to be to the words of David, in ( Chronicles 22:14) now behold, yyn[b which the Septuagint render by kata ptwceian mou , according to my poverty, I have prepared for the house of the Lord an hundred thousand talents of gold, etc.. for by the abundance of their joy, is not so much meant the joy they felt in the midst of their afflictions, so that they could glory in them, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God, as the cheerfulness of their spirits in contributing to the necessities of others; glad at heart they were that they had hearts to do good, and an opportunity of doing it; which they gladly laid hold on, observing the divine rule, he that sheweth mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness: and this they did, considering the small pittance they were possessed of, very largely; for though their poverty was deep, and their purses low, their hearts were large and full, and their hands ready to communicate; so that their poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality: though their poverty was great, their liberality was rich and large; though it might be but little they gave in quantity, it was much in quality, much in liberality; like the poor widow, who, of her want and penury, cast in more than all the rich besides, not in quantity, but in liberality; they only giving some, and a disproportionate part, she her all.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the goo in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the Macedonians. So far from needing that Pau should urge them, they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we us or lay out for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we giv for charitable uses, will not be accepted of God, nor turn to ou advantage, unless we first give ourselves to the Lord. By ascribing all really good works to the grace of God, we not only give the glory to him whose due it is, but also show men where their strength is Abundant spiritual joy enlarges men's hearts in the work and labour of love. How different this from the conduct of those who will not join in any good work, unless urged into it!
Greek Textus Receptus
οτι 3754 CONJ εν 1722 PREP πολλη 4183 A-DSF δοκιμη 1382 N-DSF θλιψεως 2347 N-GSF η 3588 T-NSF περισσεια 4050 N-NSF της 3588 T-GSF χαρας 5479 N-GSF αυτων 846 P-GPM και 2532 CONJ η 3588 T-NSF κατα 2596 PREP βαθους 899 N-GSN πτωχεια 4432 N-NSF αυτων 846 P-GPM επερισσευσεν 4052 5656 V-AAI-3S εις 1519 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM πλουτον 4149 N-ASM της 3588 T-GSF απλοτητος 572 N-GSF αυτων 846 P-GPM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:2 {Proof} (dokimei). Tests as of metals as in #2:9. {Abundance} (perisseia). Late word from perisseuw, to overflow. {Their deep poverty} (he kata baqous ptwceia autwn). ptwceia is old word from ptwceuw, to be a beggar, as of Jesus in #8:9 (from ptwcos, cowering in fear and poverty, as in #Lu 14:13, but ennobled by Christ as in #Mt 5:3; 2Co 8:9). Poverty down deep. Strabo (LX 419) has kata baqous, down to the bottom. {Liberality} (haplotetos). From haplous, single, simple (#Mt 6:22). "The passage from single-mindedness or simplicity to liberality is not quite obvious" (Plummer). Perhaps "heartiness" supplies the connecting link. See also #9:11-13.
