2 Corinthians 8:15

8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

KJV

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As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

What does 2 Corinthians 8:15 mean?

2 Corinthians 8:15 is a verse in the book of 2 Corinthians, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include καθώς (kathos), γράφω (grapho), ὁ ἡ τό (ho). It connects to 21 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

Asκαθώςkathos/kath-oce'/G2531from 2596 and 5613; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to, (according, even) as, how, when.

written,γράφωgrapho/graf'-o/G1125a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).

that

had

gatheredὁ ἡ τόhoG3588he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

muchG4183

hadπλεονάζωpleonazo/pleh-on-ad'-zo/G4121from 4119; to do, make or be more, i.e. increase (transitively or intransitively); by extension, to superabound:--abound, abundant, make to increase, have over.

nothingοὐouG3756ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.

over;πλεονάζωpleonazo/pleh-on-ad'-zo/G4121from 4119; to do, make or be more, i.e. increase (transitively or intransitively); by extension, to superabound:--abound, abundant, make to increase, have over.

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

that

had

littleὀλίγοςoligos/ol-ee'-gos/G3641of uncertain affinity; puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat:--+ almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.

hadἐλαττονέωelattoneo/el-at-ton-eh-o/G1641from 1640; to diminish, i.e. fall short:--have lack.

noοὐouG3756ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.

lack.ἐλαττονέωelattoneo/el-at-ton-eh-o/G1641from 1640; to diminish, i.e. fall short:--have lack.

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:15

HENRY_FULL · 2 Corinthians 8:11–17

en31467" Superiority of the Gospel. ( a. d. 57.) 12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. In these verses the apostle draws two inferences from what he had said about the Old and New Testament:— I. Concerning the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness or clearness of speech. They ought not, like Moses, to put a veil upon their faces, or obscure and darken those things which they should make plain. The gospel is a more clear dispensation than the law; the things of God are revealed in the New Testament, not in types and shadows, and ministers are much to blame if they do not set spiritual things, and gospel-truth and grace, in the clearest light that is possible. Though the Israelites could not look stedfastly to the end of what was commanded, but is now abolished, yet we may. We may see the meaning of those types and shadows by the accomplishment, seeing the veil is done away in, Christ and he is come, who was the end of the law for righteousness to all those who believe, and whom Moses and all the prophets pointed to, and wrote of. II. Concerning the privilege and advantage of those who enjoy the gospel, above those who lived under the law. For, 1. Those who lived under the legal dispensation had their minds blinded ( v. 14 ), and there was a veil upon their hearts, v. 15 . Thus it was formerly, and so it was especially as to those who remained in Judaism after the coming of the Messiah and the publication of his gospel. Nevertheless, the apostle tells us, there is a time coming when this veil also shall be taken away, and when it (the body of that people) shall turn to the Lord, v. 16 . Or, when any particular person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away; the blindness of the mind, and the hardness of the heart, are cured. 2. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is much more happy. For, (1.) They have liberty: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, and where he worketh, as he does under the gospel-dispensation, there is liberty ( v. 17 ), freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption; liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God's commandments. (2.) They have light; for with open face we behold the glory of the Lord, v. 18 . The Israelites saw the glory of God in a cloud, which was dark and dreadful; but Christians see the glory of the Lord as in a glass, more clearly and comfortably. It was the peculiar privilege of Moses for God to converse with him face to face, in a friendly manner; but now all true Christians see him more clearly with open face. He showeth them his glory. (3.) This light and liberty are transforming; we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory ( v. 18 ), from one degree of glorious grace unto another, till grace here be consummated in glory for ever. How much therefore should Christians prize and improve these privileges! We should not rest contented without an experimental knowledge of the transforming power of the gospel, by the operation of the Spirit, bringing us into a conformity to the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

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 and truth.

John 12:41

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Romans 8:4

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:7

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. the carnal: Gr. the minding of the flesh

Romans 8:29

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 13:14

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. darkly: Gr. in a riddle

1 Corinthians 15:49

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. hath: Gr. is he who hath

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. he is: or, let him be

2 Corinthians 8:13

For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

2 Corinthians 8:17

For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

Galatians 6:15

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Ephesians 4:22

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Colossians 3:10

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

1 Timothy 1:11

According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Titus 3:5

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

James 1:23

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

2 Peter 1:5

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

Topics

Beneficence Liberality Quotations and Allusions

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 2 Corinthians 8:15.

Matthew 2:18

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Luke 2:23

(As it is written in the law of the Lord Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

Mark 14:21

The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Mark 9:13

But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

Matthew 1:25

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew 10:20

For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Matthew 2:15

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Matthew 2:20

Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

Frequently asked questions

What does 2 Corinthians 8:15 say?

2 Corinthians 8:15 (King James Version) reads: "As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack."

Is 2 Corinthians 8:15 in the Old or New Testament?

2 Corinthians 8:15 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of 2 Corinthians.

Reflect

As you read 2 Corinthians 8:15, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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