2 Corinthians 8:9

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.

a. NLT: You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

b. NIV: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

c. YLT: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you he became poor -- being rich, that ye by that poverty may become rich.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).

e. Worrell Translation: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might become rich.

f. Wuest Translation: For you know by experience the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he being wealthy, for your sakes became poor, in order that, as for you, by means of His poverty you might be made wealthy.

1. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich…”

a. For [Strong: 1963 gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. ye know [Strong: 1097 ginosko ghin-oce'-ko a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.]

c. the grace [Strong: 5485 khar'-ece from 5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).]

d. of our [Strong: 2257 hemon hay-mone' genitive case plural of 1473; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.]

e. Lord [Strong: 2962 kurios koo'-ree-os from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.]

f. Jesus [Strong: 2424 Iesous ee-ay-sooce' of Hebrew origin (3091); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.]

g. Christ [Strong: 5547 Christos khris-tos' from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]

h. that [Strong: 3754 hoti hot'-ee neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

i. though he was [Strong: 5607 on oan, including the feminine ousa oo'-sah; and the neuter on on present participle of 1510; being:--be, come, have.]

j. rich [Strong: 4145 plousios ploo'-see-os from 4149; wealthy; figuratively, abounding with:--rich.]

1). I believe this is speaking both of spiritual riches and financial riches. Scripture clearly speaks of both.

a). 1 Timothy 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

b). Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

c). Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

2). The wealth of heaven in material and spiritual commodities is too great to sum up. The second Person of the Triune Godhead created it and existed in it from eternity past.

2.  “…yet for your sakes he became poor,

a. yet for [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

b. your [sakes] [Strong: 5209 humas hoo-mas' accusative case of 5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).]

c. he became poor [Strong: 4433 ptocheuo pto-khyoo'-o from 4434; to be a beggar, i.e. (by implication) to become indigent (figuratively):--become poor.]

1). Jesus became poor in a number of ways when He became man. First of all he emptied Himself of Godlike abilities, Omniscience, Omnipotence, and Omnipresence. All this is shown in the Scripture. See notes in Philippians 2:7. When he was born to earthly parents in Bethlehem he was born into poverty. When Mary presented her offering in the Temple, it was the offering of a poor woman.

a). Luke 2:22-24   And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

2). Though he was born into poverty through his parents, during his ministry multiple people gave so much into his ministry that he had to have a treasurer in charge of the money.

a). Luke 8:1-3   And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,

8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

b). John 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

3). Christ becoming “poor” also refers to Jesus becoming our sin on the cross.

a). 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

3. “…that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

a. that [Strong: 2443 hina hin'-ah probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

b. you [Strong: 5210 humeis hoo-mice' irregular plural of 4771; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.]

c. through his [Strong: 1565 ekeinos ek-i'-nos from 1563; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:--he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those.]

d. poverty [Strong: 4432 ptocheia pto-khi'-ah from 4433; beggary, i.e. indigence (literally or figuratively):--poverty.]

e. might be rich [Strong: 4147 plouteo ploo-teh'-o from 4148; to be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively):--be increased with goods, (be made, wax) rich.]

1). The “rich” here measn primarily spiritual riches but also financial. We became righteous because he became our sin. And we became joint heirs with Jesus of all of heaven.

a). 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

b). Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.