“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 8:9 Mean?
Paul describes the incarnation in economic terms: Jesus was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. The great exchange is not just theological. It is economic — a transfer of wealth from the infinite to the finite.
"Though he was rich" — the riches of Christ before the incarnation are beyond calculation. He possessed all the glory, all the worship, all the privilege of divine existence. He lacked nothing.
"He became poor" — the incarnation was an impoverishment. Born in a stable. Raised in a carpenter's shop. No place to lay his head. The richest being in the universe chose the poorest existence on earth.
"That ye through his poverty might be rich" — the purpose of his poverty is your wealth. Not material wealth — spiritual riches. The grace, the righteousness, the eternal life, the relationship with God — all of it flowed from his willingness to become poor.
Paul uses this as motivation for the Corinthians' financial generosity (the context is a collection for Jerusalem). If Christ gave up everything for you, how can you not give generously for others?
Reflection Questions
- 1.What did Christ give up in becoming poor — and what did his poverty purchase for you?
- 2.How does the incarnation as 'impoverishment' change your view of what God did?
- 3.How should Christ's generosity toward you shape your generosity toward others?
- 4.Where are you holding onto resources that the logic of this verse says should be given?
Devotional
Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor. The richest being in existence became the poorest person on earth. Not by accident. For your sakes. Deliberately. Voluntarily. For you.
The riches he left behind: the glory of heaven, the worship of angels, the fullness of divine privilege. The poverty he chose: a manger, a carpenter's bench, homelessness, rejection, a criminal's death.
That ye through his poverty might be rich. Your spiritual wealth was purchased by his material poverty. The riches you have in Christ — forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life, intimacy with God — all of it cost Jesus everything.
Paul uses this as motivation for generosity. If Christ impoverished himself for you, can you not give for others? The logic is inescapable: you received from someone who gave up everything. Now give from what you received.
The grace of giving flows from the grace of receiving. You cannot outgive someone who became poor to make you rich. But you can respond to that generosity by being generous yourself.
What did his poverty cost him? Everything. What did it buy you? Everything else.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
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Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture