What Does 2 Corinthians 8:14 Mean in the King James?
But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Equality here is not identical portions held apart; it is abundance crossing into lack, with the exchange remaining mutual.
THE MEANING
Your abundance becomes provision where another has lack, and their abundance can meet your need in turn. Equality takes shape as shared life, where giving and receiving can move in either direction. No one is fixed as giver or receiver.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that equality means everyone must possess the same amount at once; here it emerges as abundance meeting need through reciprocal care.
THE ROOT
ἰσότης
isotēs
GROWS FROM
ἴσος
isos
ἴσος (isos) means equal, even, or corresponding in measure; ἰσότης names equality or equitable relation.
The verse’s equality takes shape through movement: abundance goes into lack, and the other side’s abundance can answer a later need. The Greek connects equality with what is equal or corresponding in measure, making it about mutual standing as well as what is shared.
ALSO GROWS
isos: Equal, even, or the same in measure.
ἴσος
This is the seed sense behind equality: what is shared corresponds across both sides of the exchange.
isotimos: Of equal value or honor; equally precious.
ἰσότιμος
This related formation carries equality into questions of worth, showing that the relation concerns standing as well as the amount given.
THE PATTERN
Shared abundance creates equality when what exceeds one person’s need becomes provision for another’s lack.
And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,THE THREAD
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.The word rendered “equal” here is ἰσότης (isotēs), the same Greek word translated “equality” in this verse. The shared root ties equality in provision to equality in relation: those who hold power remain accountable to the same measure.
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