2 Corinthians 8:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Macedonians earnestly begged for the privilege of sharing in the relief offering for fellow believers.
What Does 2 Corinthians 8:4 Mean?
Paul reveals an astonishing detail: the Macedonians did not need to be asked, they did the asking. 'With much intreaty' they pressed Paul to 'receive the gift' and let them take part in 'the ministering to the saints,' the collection being gathered for poor believers in Jerusalem. They pleaded for the chance to give.
Most must be persuaded to part with their money; these believers begged for the opportunity. They saw the offering not as a demand but as a fellowship, a sharing in something holy. To minister to the saints was, to them, a grace to be sought, not a duty to be escaped. This is what grace does to a heart: it makes giving feel like receiving, and counts service among the saints a privilege worth pleading for.
2 Corinthians 8:4 in the Original Language
koinonia (κοινωνία), 'fellowship' -- shared partnership; here, taking part together in caring for others.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 8:4
What does 2 Corinthians 8:4 mean?
The Macedonians earnestly begged for the privilege of sharing in the relief offering for fellow believers.