2-corinthians 8:15
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
American King James Version (AKJV)
As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
American Standard Version (ASV)
as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
As it says in the Writings, He who had taken up much had nothing over and he who had little had enough.
Webster's Revision
As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no want.
World English Bible
As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."
English Revised Version (ERV)
as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.
Clarke's 2-corinthians 8:15 Bible Commentary
He that had gathered much, had nothing over - On the passage to which the apostle alludes, Exodus 16:18, I have stated that, probably, every man gathered as much manna as he could, and when he brought it home and measured it by the omer, (for this was the measure for each man's eating), if he had a surplus it went to the supply of some other family that had not been able to collect enough; the family being large, and the time in which the manna might be gathered, before the heat of the day, not being sufficient to collect a supply for so numerous a household; several of whom might be so confined as not to be able to collect for themselves. Thus there was an equality among the Israelites in reference to this thing; and in this light these words of St. Paul lead us to view the passage. To apply this to the present case: the Corinthians, in the course of God's providence, had gathered more than was absolutely necessary for their own support; by giving the surplus to the persecuted and impoverished Christian Jews these would be an equality; both would then possess the necessaries of life, though still the one might have more property than the other.
Barnes's 2-corinthians 8:15 Bible Commentary
As it is written - see Exodus 16:18.
He that had gathered much ... - This passage was originally applied to the gathering of manna by the children of Israel. The manna which fell around the camp of Israel was gathered every morning. All that were able were employed in gathering it; and when it was collected it was distributed in the proportion of an omer, or about five pints to each man. Some would be more active and more successful than others. Some by age or infirmity would collect little; probably many by being confined to the camp would collect none. They who had gathered more than an omer, therefore, would in this way contribute to the needs of others, and would be constantly manifesting a spirit of benevolence. And such was their willingness to do good in this way, such their readiness to collect more than they knew would be demanded for their own use, and such the arrangement of Providence in furnishing it, that there was no want; and there was no more gathered than was needful to supply the demands of the whole.
Paul applies this passage, therefore, in the very spirit in which it was originally penned. He means to say that the rich Christians at Corinth should impart freely to their poorer brethren. They had gathered more wealth than was immediately necessary for their families or themselves. They should, therefore, impart freely to those who had been less successful. Wealth, like manna, is the gift of God. It is like that spread by his hand around us every day. Some are able to gather much more than others. By their skill, their health, their diligence, or by providential arrangements, they are eminently successful. Others are feeble, or sick, or aged, or destitute of skill, and are less successful. All that is obtained is by the arrangement of God. The health, the strength, the skill, the wisdom by which we are enabled to obtain it, are all his gift. That which is thus honestly obtained, therefore, should be regarded as his bounty, and we should esteem it a privilege daily to impart to others less favored and less successful.
Thus, society will be bound more closely together. There will be, as there was among the Israelites, the feelings of universal brotherhood. There will be on the one hand the happiness flowing from the constant exercise of the benevolent feelings; on the other the strong ties of gratitude. On the one hand the evils of poverty will be prevented, and on the other the not less. though different evils resulting from superabundant wealth. Is it a forced and unnatural analogy also to observe, that wealth, like manna, corrupts by being kept in store? manna if kept more than a single day became foul and loathsome. Does not wealth hoarded up when it might be properly employed; wealth that should have been distributed to relieve the needs of others, become corrupting in its nature, and offensive in the sight of holy and benevolent minds? Compare James 5:2-4. Wealth, like manna, should be employed in the service which God designs - employed to diffuse everywhere the blessings of religion, comfort, and peace.
Wesley's 2-corinthians 8:15 Bible Commentary
8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered the most had nothing over; and he that had gathered the least did not lack - That is, in which that scripture is in another sense fulfilled. >Ex 16:188:17Being more forward - Than to need it, though he received it well.8:18We - I and Timothy. The brother - The ancients generally supposed this was St. Luke. Whose praise - For faithfully dispensing the gospel, is through all the churches.8:19He was appointed by the churches - Of Macedonia. With this gift - Which they were carrying from Macedonia to Jerusalem.For the declaration of our ready mind - That of Paul and his fellow - traveller, ready to be the servants of all.8:22With them - With Titus and Luke.Our brother - Perhaps Apollos.8:23My partner - In my cares and labours.The glory of Christ - Signal instruments of advancing his glory.8:24Before the churches - Present by their messengers.