2 Corinthians 8:13 Meaning and Explanation
“For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul explains his aim is not to relieve others by overburdening the Corinthians.
What Does 2 Corinthians 8:13 Mean?
Paul guards against a misunderstanding. 'I mean not,' he says, that his appeal is meant to leave 'other men,' the Jerusalem believers, 'eased' while the Corinthians are 'burdened.' He is not asking them to impoverish themselves so that others may live in comfort. That is not the goal at all.
Paul's vision of giving is never the crushing of one to spare another. True Christian generosity does not trade one person's relief for another's ruin. There is a balance in the kingdom, a mutual care in which each bears what they can without being broken by it. Paul models a pastor's tenderness here, jealous both for the saints in need and for the saints who give. Love seeks the good of all, not the depletion of some.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 8:13
What does 2 Corinthians 8:13 mean?
Paul explains his aim is not to relieve others by overburdening the Corinthians.