John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:13

"For [I say] not [this] that others may be eased [and] ye distressed;" — 2 Corinthians 8:13 (ASV)

Not that others. This is a confirmation of the preceding statement—that a readiness of will is well-pleasing to God both in poverty and in wealth, since God does not mean that we should be reduced to hardship so that others may be at ease through our liberality.

Indeed, it is true that we owe God not merely a part, but all that we are and all that we have. However, in His kindness, He spares us to this extent: He is satisfied with the participation that the Apostle speaks of here. You must understand what he teaches here to mean a lessening of the law's rigor.

Meanwhile, it is our responsibility to stir ourselves up from time to time to liberality, because we should not be too afraid of going to excess in this area. The danger lies in excessive stinginess.

This doctrine, however, is necessary to counter fanatics who think that you have done nothing unless you have stripped yourselves of everything to make all things common property. Indeed, by their frenzy, they achieve this much: no one can give alms with a clear conscience.

Hence, we must carefully observe Paul’s (ἐπιείκεια) mildness and moderation. He states that our alms are well-pleasing to God when we relieve the needs of our fellow believers from our abundance. This should not be done in such a way that they are comfortable while we are in need, but rather so that we may distribute from what belongs to us, as far as our resources allow, and do so with a cheerful mind.

By an equality—Equality may be understood in two senses: either as mutual compensation, where like is given for like, or as a proper adjustment. I understand ἰσότητα simply as meaning an equality of proportional right, as Aristotle terms it.

It is also used with this meaning in Colossians 4:1, where he exhorts, masters to give to their servants what is equal. He certainly does not mean that they should be equal in condition and social standing; rather, by this term, he expresses the humanity, clemency, and kind treatment that masters, in turn, owe to their servants.

Thus, the Lord recommends to us a proportion of this kind, so that, as far as each person's resources allow, we may provide help to the needy, ensuring that some are not in affluence while others are in poverty. Hence, he adds—at the present time.

Indeed, at that time, necessity pressed upon them. Therefore, we are admonished that, in exercising beneficence, we must provide for the present need if we are to observe the true rule of equity.