2 Corinthians 8:7

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers while they are in the process of completing a financial contribution. He writes after sending Titus to assist them, positioning this instruction as a direct follow-up to the logistical arrangements already underway.

The words — The Greek περισσεύετε (perisseuete) literally means "you abound" or "excel." Paul links it with ὥσπερ (hōsper), meaning "even as," to frame the command as a comparative measure between their established virtues and their required generosity.

The thread — The pattern of spiritual virtues increasing to enable obedience appears in 2 Corinthians 9:8, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, and 2 Peter 1:5. These texts share the structural idea that growing faith and knowledge should produce tangible, outward results.

Why it lands — The text commands the Corinthians to apply the same diligence to giving that they already demonstrate in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, and love. Readers must align their material contributions with the measurable earnestness they display in other areas of spiritual life.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

Cross-references

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
1 Corinthians 1:5 For in Him you have been enriched in every way, in all speech and all knowledge,
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
2 Corinthians 8:6 So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.
1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Romans 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.