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.
Parallel translations
- WEB For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,
- KJV For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
- BSB It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.
- NKJV For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened;
- NASB For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality—
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul's aim is not to relieve others by burdening the Corinthians, but to promote fairness within the body of Christ. Giving should not impoverish the giver.
Overview
Paul guards against misunderstanding: the collection is not meant to crush the Corinthians while easing others. The goal is mutual care and balance among believers. This reflects the family character of the church, where members share burdens without any group being unduly distressed.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Acts 4:34For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
- Rom 15:26–27For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.
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In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
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Original language
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