2 Corinthians 8:9
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Context
Encouraging the Corinthians to complete their gift for the needy saints, Paul appeals to the supreme example of Christ's self-giving as the pattern for their generosity.
What Does 2 Corinthians 8:9 Mean?
Paul grounds Christian generosity in the generosity of Christ Himself: though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich. While urging the Corinthians toward a collection for the poor, Paul lifts their eyes to the supreme example. The Lord who possessed all riches willingly took up poverty for the sake of others, and through that self-emptying made others rich.
The riches and poverty here run deeper than money. Christ's "riches" point to the fullness and glory that were His; His "poverty" describes the lowliness He embraced in coming to redeem. The exchange parallels the great exchange of the cross: He took our condition that we might receive His. Notice the phrase "for your sakes" -- the whole movement was motivated by love for others, not gain for Himself. Paul calls this the "grace" of our Lord Jesus Christ, naming generosity as a form of grace flowing from grace received. The Corinthians' giving is to mirror this pattern: those enriched by Christ's self-giving become channels of giving themselves. The verse turns a practical appeal for funds into a meditation on the gospel, anchoring every act of generosity in the one supremely generous act -- the Lord becoming poor so that the poor might become rich in Him.
In the Original Language
The word charis (χάρις) means grace, naming Christ's generosity, and ptocheuo (πτωχεύω) means to become poor, even destitute, for the sake of others.
Cross References
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”
- Philippians 2:7
“And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
- Matthew 8:20
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
- Ephesians 1:7
Application
Let the self-giving generosity of Christ, who became poor to make you rich, shape how freely you give of what you have to others.