Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

2 Corinthians 8:2

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- 2 During a great test under affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty made the riches of their generosity abound.*

2 Corinthians 8:2

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
- 2 ὅτι that ἐν in πολλῇ much δοκιμῇ proof θλίψεως of tribulation ἡ the περισσεία abundance τῆς of the χαρᾶς joy αὐτῶν of them καὶ and ἡ the κατὰ down βάθους depth πτωχεία poorness αὐτῶν of them ἐπερίσσευσεν abounded εἰς into τὸ the πλοῦτος riches τῆς of the ἁπλότητος simplicity αὐτῶν· of them;

2 Corinthians 8:2

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
- 2 that during a great test under affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty made the riches of their generosity abound.+

2 Corinthians 8:2

The Bible in Living English
- 2 that under a great test of distress the plentifulness of their joy and their deep poverty became a plentiful source for the wealth of their liberality,

2 Corinthians 8:2

American Standard Version
- 2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

2 Corinthians 8:2

The Emphasized Bible
- 2 That in a great testing of tribulation The superabounding of their joy and their deep destitution Superabounded unto the riches of their liberality;

2 Corinthians 8:2

King James Version
- 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

2 Corinthians Study Notes—Chapter 8

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
- 8:2
  
  made the riches of their generosity abound: Or “made . . . overflow.” Paul seeks to motivate the Christians in Corinth to complete the relief ministry for the needy Christians in Judea. So he tells them about “the congregations of Macedonia,” such as those in Philippi and Thessalonica, that were outstanding examples of generous giving. (2Co 8:1-4; 9:1-7; Ro 15:26; Php 4:14-16) Their cheerful generosity was all the more remarkable, since they themselves were in “deep poverty” and were experiencing a great test under affliction. It is possible that those Christians in Macedonia were being accused of practicing customs considered unlawful for Romans, as happened to Paul himself in Philippi. (Ac 16:20, 21) Some suggest that the test was connected with their poverty. Such tests, or trials, might explain why the Macedonians felt empathy for their Judean brothers, who were suffering similar hardships. (Ac 17:5-9; 1Th 2:14) Therefore, the Macedonian Christians wanted to help them and joyfully gave “beyond their means.”—2Co 8:3.