Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 8:9

What does 2 Corinthians 8:9 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 8:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 8:9 means

Paul sets Christ before them: though eternally rich in divine glory, He became poor for their sake, so that by His poverty they might become rich. This speaks of the incarnation and the self-emptying path Jesus took—taking on human nature, suffering, and dying—to enrich believers with salvation and every spiritual blessing. Christ’s generosity is both the model and motive for Christian giving. If He held nothing back to redeem us, we can hold our resources loosely for the good of His people. Our truest riches are in Him; generous sharing flows from that wealth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For you see the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, how though he had wealth, he became poor on your account, so that through his need you might have wealth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you he became poor--being rich, that ye by that poverty may become rich.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor for your sakes: that through his poverty you might be rich.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he, being rich, became poor, in order that ye by his poverty might be enriched.

Context

After appealing to love’s sincerity without command, Paul anchors his exhortation in the gospel. Verse 9 is the theological heart of the chapter, providing the supreme pattern and power for generosity. It reframes giving not as loss, but as participation in Christ’s self-giving grace. With the foundation laid, Paul will move in verses 10–12 to offer practical counsel about completing the Corinthians’ earlier intention, stressing readiness, proportion, and acceptability. The flow proceeds from example, to motive, to application.

v.8I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

v.9This passage

v.10And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 1:17

    For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:10

    as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

  • Ephesians 2:7

    that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:

  • Revelation 3:18

    I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.

  • 1 Timothy 6:18

    that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

  • Ephesians 3:8

    Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

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