2 Corinthians 8:1–2
Poor and tested, the Macedonian churches overflow with joy and generosity
Study it word by word1Now we make known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,
2that in a great test of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty have overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.
In its context
…
3For I testify that according to their ability and beyond their ability, of their own accord,
4with much urging they begged us for the favor and the sharing in the service for the saints,
Its words in the original
- ΓνωρίζομενGnōrizomen· make known
Make known.
- ἀδελφοίadelphoi· brother
Brother. Also a close relative, a fellow countryman and, among believers, a brother in the faith.
- χάρινcharin· grace
Grace, favor.
- θεοῦtheou· God, god
God. In the plural or in another sense, "gods".
- δεδομένηνdedomenēn· give
Give.
- ἐκκλησίαιςekklēsiais· assembly
Assembly: the people God calls together and gathers. It is the word usually translated “church.”
- ΜακεδονίαςMakedonias· Macedonia
Macedonia: the region of northern Greece.
- πολλῇpollēi· much, many
Much, great; in the plural, many.
- δοκιμῇdokimēi· proven character, proof
Proven character: what is shown to be genuine by testing; also the test or the proof itself.
- θλίψεωςthlipseōs· trouble, affliction
Affliction, distress, pressure.
- περισσείαperisseia· abundance
Abundance: what overflows.
- χαρᾶςcharas· joy
Joy, gladness.
- βάθουςbathous· depth
Depth; the deep.
- πτωχείαptōcheia· poverty
Poverty: extreme need, having almost nothing.
- ἐπερίσσευσενeperisseusen· be left over, abound
Be left over, abound; exceed.
- πλοῦτοςploutos· wealth
Riches, wealth.
- ἁπλότητοςhaplotētos· generosity, sincerity
Generosity; simplicity, single-heartedness, giving without ulterior motive.