2 Corinthians 8:13

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.

2 Corinthians 8:13 in Other Translations

13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness

13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.

13 This isn't so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you're shoulder to shoulder with them all the way,

13 It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality-

2 Corinthians 8:13 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 8:13

For I mean not that other men be eased and you burdened.
] Referring either to the givers; and that either to the richer and meaner sort in this church; the apostle's sense being, not to put the whole burden of the collection upon some only, whilst others were excused doing little or nothing; but that everyone should give according to his ability; or to other churches in poorer circumstances; and the apostle's meaning was, not that these churches by reason of their meanness should be entirely free from this service, as it was plain they were not, by the instance of the Macedonians; and that the whole be devolved upon the Corinthian church, and others that were rich; but that all should contribute according to their circumstances: or this may refer to the persons given to, and for whom this beneficence was asked; for the words may be rendered, "for not that there may be ease", or relaxation "to others, and to you affliction" or straitness; that is, his meaning was, not that there should be such a contribution raised for these poor saints at Jerusalem, that they should live in ease and great abundance; whilst their benefactors, through an over abundant generosity to them, were straitened, and their families reduced to great difficulties; this was what was far from his intentions.

2 Corinthians 8:13 In-Context

11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.

14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,

15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”