2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
For you know
This phrase indicates a shared understanding among the believers in Corinth. The Greek word for "know" is "ginōskō," which implies not just intellectual knowledge but an experiential understanding. Paul appeals to their personal experience and relationship with Christ, reminding them of the foundational truths they have embraced.

the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
The term "grace" (Greek: "charis") is central to Christian theology, representing unmerited favor and divine assistance given to humanity. This grace is personified in Jesus Christ, emphasizing His role as both Lord and Savior. The title "Lord" (Greek: "Kyrios") signifies authority and divinity, while "Jesus Christ" underscores His mission as the Anointed One, the Messiah.

that though He was rich
This phrase speaks to the pre-incarnate glory and divine status of Christ. The richness here is not merely material but encompasses the fullness of divine attributes and heavenly glory. The Greek word "plousios" conveys abundance and wealth, highlighting the contrast between Christ's divine nature and His earthly mission.

yet for your sakes
The phrase "for your sakes" underscores the selfless nature of Christ's sacrifice. It is a direct appeal to the personal impact of Christ's actions on the believers. The Greek "di' humas" indicates a substitutionary aspect, where Christ's actions were specifically for the benefit of others, emphasizing His love and selflessness.

He became poor
This refers to the incarnation and the humility of Christ. The Greek word "ptōcheuō" means to become destitute or impoverished. Christ's poverty is seen in His taking on human flesh, living a life of humility, and ultimately suffering and dying on the cross. This voluntary act of becoming poor is a profound demonstration of His love and commitment to humanity.

so that you through His poverty
The purpose of Christ's poverty is highlighted here. The phrase "through His poverty" indicates the means by which believers are enriched. It is through Christ's self-emptying and sacrificial life that believers gain spiritual wealth. The Greek "hina" (so that) introduces the purpose clause, showing the intentionality behind Christ's actions.

might become rich
The richness referred to here is spiritual and eternal, contrasting with the temporary and material wealth of the world. The Greek "ploutizō" means to be made rich or to enrich, signifying the transformation and blessings believers receive through Christ. This richness includes salvation, eternal life, and the inheritance of God's kingdom, underscoring the abundant life promised to those who follow Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 2 Corinthians, writing to the church in Corinth to encourage generosity and highlight the example of Christ's sacrificial love.

2. The Church in Corinth
The recipients of the letter, a diverse and affluent congregation in a major Greek city, being encouraged to contribute to the collection for the impoverished church in Jerusalem.

3. Jesus Christ
Central figure in this verse, whose incarnation and sacrificial life are presented as the ultimate example of grace and generosity.

4. The Macedonian Churches
Mentioned earlier in the chapter as an example of generosity despite their own poverty, serving as a model for the Corinthians.

5. The Collection for the Saints
The event prompting this letter, a fundraising effort for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
Understanding Grace
Recognize that grace is unmerited favor, exemplified by Christ's willingness to leave His heavenly riches for our sake. Reflect on how this grace should inspire our actions.

Imitating Christ's Generosity
As Christ became poor for our enrichment, we are called to be generous with our resources, time, and love, following His example.

Spiritual Riches Over Material Wealth
True richness is found in spiritual blessings and eternal life, not in earthly possessions. Evaluate where your true wealth lies.

Sacrificial Living
Consider how you can live sacrificially for others, prioritizing their needs and well-being above your own comfort and desires.

Community Support
Just as the Corinthians were encouraged to support the Jerusalem church, we should actively seek ways to support and uplift our faith communities.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the grace of Jesus Christ as described in 2 Corinthians 8:9 impact your view of generosity?

2. In what ways can you imitate Christ's example of becoming "poor" for the sake of others in your daily life?

3. Reflect on a time when you prioritized spiritual riches over material wealth. How did that decision affect your relationship with God and others?

4. How can the example of the Macedonian churches inspire you to give, even when you feel you have little to offer?

5. What practical steps can you take to support your local church or faith community, following the example of the Corinthians' support for the Jerusalem church?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Philippians 2:5-8
This passage also speaks of Christ's humility and self-emptying, emphasizing His willingness to become a servant and suffer for humanity's sake.

Matthew 20:28
Jesus describes His mission as one of service and giving His life as a ransom for many, paralleling the theme of sacrificial giving.

Hebrews 12:2
Highlights Jesus enduring the cross for the joy set before Him, illustrating the ultimate act of becoming poor for the sake of others.
Amazing LoveD. Fraser 2 Corinthians 8:9
Christ's Motive and Ours Spurgeon.2 Corinthians 8:9
Genuine PhilanthropyD. Thomas, D. D.2 Corinthians 8:9
On the Benefits Derived from the Humiliation of Jesus ChristW. Thornton.2 Corinthians 8:9
PerformancesW. M. Statham.2 Corinthians 8:9
Poverty and RichesArchdeacon Hare.2 Corinthians 8:9
Poverty and Riches with ChristJ. Oswald Dykes, D. D.2 Corinthians 8:9
Rich Yet PoorAlexander Maclaren2 Corinthians 8:9
The Condescension of ChristJ.R. Thomson 2 Corinthians 8:9
The Condescension of ChristCharles Haddon Spurgeon 2 Corinthians 8:9
The Grace of ChristT. Binney.2 Corinthians 8:9
The Grace of Our Lord Jesus ChristW. M. Taylor, D. D.2 Corinthians 8:9
The Great Example of BenevolenceE. Hurndall 2 Corinthians 8:9
The Great RenunciationW. L. Watkinson.2 Corinthians 8:9
The Laws of Christian LiberalityJ. Denney, B. D.2 Corinthians 8:9
The Poverty of Christ the Source of Heavenly RichesR. Treffry.2 Corinthians 8:9
The Poverty that Made Others RichR. Tuck 2 Corinthians 8:9
The Riches and Poverty of ChristW. Pulsford, D. D.2 Corinthians 8:9
What We Know Through Knowing the Grace of Our Lord Jesus ChristC. Clemance, D. D.2 Corinthians 8:9
Appeal to the CorinthiansC. Lipscomb 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
People
Corinthians, Paul, Titus
Places
Achaia, Corinth, Macedonia
Topics
Account, Christ, Condescending, Enriched, Goodness, Grace, Grow, Order, Poor, Poverty, Rich, Sake, Sakes, Though, Wealth, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Corinthians 8:9

     2027   Christ, grace and mercy
     2036   Christ, humility
     2048   Christ, love of
     2051   Christ, majesty of
     2224   Christ, the Lord
     2327   Christ, as servant
     2421   gospel, historical foundation
     2515   Christ, birth of
     2595   incarnation
     5109   Paul, apostle
     5289   debt
     5447   poverty, causes
     5503   rich, the
     5569   suffering, hardship
     5762   attitudes, God to people
     5845   emptiness
     5879   humiliation
     6668   grace, and Christ
     6689   mercy, of Christ
     8241   ethics, basis of
     8276   humility
     8301   love, and enemies
     8356   unselfishness
     8475   self-denial

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

     6710   privileges

2 Corinthians 8:7-9

     8262   generosity, human

2 Corinthians 8:7-11

     8252   faithfulness, relationships

2 Corinthians 8:8-9

     8245   ethics, incentives
     8436   giving, of possessions

Library
Willing and not Doing
'Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will so there may be a performance also.'--2 COR. viii. 11. The Revised Version reads: 'But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.' A collection of money for the almost pauper church at Jerusalem bulked very largely in the Apostle's mind at the date of the writing of the two letters to the Corinthian church. We learn that that church had
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Rich yet Poor
'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.'--2 COR. viii. 9. The Apostle has been speaking about a matter which, to us, seems very small, but to him was very great viz., a gathering of pecuniary help from the Gentile churches for the poor church in Jerusalem. Large issues, in his estimation, attended that exhibition of Christian unity, and, be it great or small, he applies the highest of
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Giving and Asking
'Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 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. 3. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4. Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5. And this they did, not as we hoped,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Condescension of Christ
And now, dear friends, the argument of the apostle shall be our subject to-day. It divides itself in an extremely simple manner. We have first, the pristine condition of our Saviour--"He was rich." We have next, his condescension--"He became poor." And then we have the effect and result of his poverty--"That we might be made rich." We shall then close by giving you a doctrine, a question, and an exhortation. May God bless all these, and help us to tell them aright. I. First, then, our text tells
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

The Faithful Steward
Systematic beneficence is capable of a twofold division. There is a general or universal system, binding indiscriminately and equally on all of every rank and condition; and a particular system adapted alone to the circumstances of each individual. The latter stands related to the former, as the edifice to the foundation on which it rests. This distinction must be kept clearly before mind, if we would have definite views of our obligations relative to this important subject. In the ensuing discussion,
Sereno D. Clark—The Faithful Steward

Of the Matters to be Considered in the Councils.
Let us now consider the matters which should be treated in the councils, and with which popes, cardinals, bishops, and all learned men should occupy themselves day and night, if they loved Christ and His Church. But if they do not do so, the people at large and the temporal powers must do so, without considering the thunders of their excommunications. For an unjust excommunication is better than ten just absolutions, and an unjust absolution is worse than ten just excommunications. Therefore let
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Indeed in all Spiritual Delights, which Unmarried Women Enjoy...
27. Indeed in all spiritual delights, which unmarried women enjoy, their holy conversation ought also to be with caution; lest haply, though their life be not evil through haughtiness, their report be evil through negligence. Nor are they to be listened to, whether they be holy men or women, when (upon occasion of their neglect in some matter being blamed, through which it comes to pass that they fall into evil suspicion, from which they know that their life is far removed) they say that it is enough
St. Augustine—On the Good of Widowhood.

Epistle xxxi. To Theodorus, Physician.
To Theodorus, Physician. Gregory to Theodorus, Physician to the Emperor. I myself give thanks to Almighty God, that distance does not separate the hearts of those who truly love each other mutually. For lo, most sweet and glorious son, we are far apart in body, and yet are present with each other in charity. This your works, this your letters testify, this I experienced in you when present, this I recognize in your Glory when absent. May this make you both beloved of men and worthy for ever before
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Therefore Let the Rest of the Faithful, who have Lost virginity...
28. Therefore let the rest of the faithful, who have lost virginity, follow the Lamb, not whithersoever He shall have gone, but so far as ever they shall have been able. But they are able every where, save when He walks in the grace of virginity. "Blessed are the poor in spirit;" [2081] imitate Him, Who, whereas "He was rich, was made poor for your sakes." [2082] "Blessed are the meek;" imitate Him, Who said, "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart." [2083] "Blessed are they that mourn;" imitate
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Epistle xxviii. To Theodore, Physician.
To Theodore, Physician. Gregory to Theodore, Physician at Constantinople. My most beloved son the deacon Sabinianus [1709] , on his return to me, brought me no letter from your Glory; but he conveyed hither what had been sent for the poor and captives; whence I understood the reason. It was that you would not speak by letters to a man, having by a good deed made your address to Almighty God. For this same deed of yours has a voice of its own, which calls to the secret ears of God, as it is written,
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Church of Christ. "It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is ruth."--1 John v. 6. We now proceed to discuss the work of the Holy Spirit wrought in the Church of Christ. Altho the Son of God has had a Church in the earth from the beginning, yet the Scripture distinguishes between its manifestation before and after Christ. As the acorn, planted in the ground, exists, altho it passes through the two periods of germinating and rooting, and of growing upward and forming trunk and
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's Answer, Briefly Considered.
"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with, thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first born for my transgression; the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?--He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" As mankind are
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

On Account Then of These Either Occupations of the Servants of God...
17. On account then of these either occupations of the servants of God, or bodily infirmities, which cannot be altogether wanting, not only doth the Apostle permit the needs of saints to be supplied by good believers, but also most wholesomely exhorteth. For, setting apart that power, which he saith himself had not used, which yet that the faithful must serve unto, he enjoins, saying, "Let him that is catechised in the word, communicate unto him that doth catechise him, in all good things:" [2531]
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

The Duty of Self-Denial.
"Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child."--Psalm cxxxi. 2. Self-denial of some kind or other is involved, as is evident, in the very notion of renewal and holy obedience. To change our hearts is to learn to love things which we do not naturally love--to unlearn the love of this world; but this involves, of course, a thwarting of our natural wishes and tastes. To be righteous and obedient implies self-command; but to
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Of the Nature of Regeneration, with Respect to the Change it Produces in Men's Affections, Resolutions, Labors, Enjoyments and Hopes.
2 Cor. v. 17. 2 Cor. v. 17. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. AMONG the various subjects, which exercise the thoughts and tongues of men, few are more talked of than Religion. But it is melancholy to think how little it is understood; and how much it is mistaken and misrepresented in the world. The text before us gives us a very instructive view of it: such a view, that I am sure, an experimental knowledge of its sense would
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Meditations to Stir us up to Morning Prayer.
1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is so displeasing to the devil, and so irksome to the flesh. Bend therefore thy affections (will they, nill they) to so holy an exercise; assuring thyself, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered?
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Parables Exemplified in the Early History of the Church.
"To Him shall prayer unceasing And daily vows ascend; His Kingdom still increasing, A Kingdom without end." We have seen that our Lord described in His Parables the general character and nature of "The Kingdom of Heaven." Consequently, if the Church established by the Apostles under the guidance of the Holy Ghost is "The Kingdom of Heaven," it will necessarily be found to agree with the description thus given. Let us therefore now consider how far the history of the Church, in the Acts of the Apostles
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Links
2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV
2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV
2 Corinthians 8:9 NASB
2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV

2 Corinthians 8:9 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Corinthians 8:8
Top of Page
Top of Page