Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:14

"but by equality: your abundance [being a supply] at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become [a supply] for your want; that there may be equality:" — 2 Corinthians 8:14 (ASV)

Perhaps one reason the collection project had been languishing at Corinth was an objection like this: “As if we had no financial problems of our own, Paul is imposing fresh burdens on us so that others can become free of burdens.” Christian giving, Paul insists, does not aim at an exchange of financial burdens but rather at an equal sharing of them and an equal supply of the necessities of life. The rich are not called upon to give so lavishly that they become poor and the poor become rich. That would simply prolong inequality. But those who enjoy a greater share of material benefits are called upon to make certain that those who have a smaller share through no fault of their own are not in want.

If v.13 alludes to an equal sharing of burdens that will lead to equality of supply, then v.14 speaks of mutual sacrifice that will maintain equality. Paul here is not predicting economic plenty in Jerusalem and economic dearth in Corinth. But he saw that with the uncertainty of economic conditions in the first century, it was not inconceivable for the Jerusalem Christians some day to become the donors of financial aid and the Corinthian Christians the recipients. On the other hand, since chronic poverty existed in Jerusalem, perhaps Paul means that the Jerusalem believers would dispense nothing other than what they had already supplied to Gentile churches—namely, the spiritual blessings of the Gospel (cf. Romans 15:27).