John Calvin 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)

And their abundance. It is uncertain what sort of abundance he means. Some interpret it as meaning that this had been the case, since the Gospel had flowed out to them from the Church at Jerusalem, from which source they, in their poverty, had been assisted by its spiritual riches.

This, I think, is foreign to Paul’s intention. In my opinion, it ought instead to be applied to the communion of saints. This means that whatever duty is rendered to one member contributes to the advantage of the entire body. “If it is burdensome to you to help your brothers with riches that are of no value, consider how many blessings you are lacking—and these are far more precious—with which you may be enriched by those who are poor in worldly possessions. This participation, which Christ has established among the members of his body, should encourage you to be more willing and more active in doing good.”

The meaning may also be this: “You now relieve them according to the necessity of the occasion, but they will have an opportunity given them at another time of repaying you.”

I prefer instead the other sentiment, which is of a more general nature; and what he again repeats in reference to equality accords with this. For the principle of just proportion in the Church is this: while they share with each other according to the measure of gifts and of necessity, this mutual contribution produces a fitting symmetry, even though some have more and some less, and gifts are distributed unequally.