2 Corinthians / Question
Paul explains that the aim is fairness: their present abundance can meet others’ need, and later the situation could be reversed. He summarizes it with "that there may be fairness." See 2 Corinthians 8:13–14.
In 2 Corinthians 8:13–15, Paul explains the goal of the requested giving: it is not to make the Corinthian believers suffer so others can relax. Instead, the aim is a fair balance, where present surplus meets another group’s shortfall, and later the situation could reverse. These verses sit inside Paul’s larger appeal about the collection for believers in need, especially connected with Jerusalem (8:1–9:15). Earlier in chapter 8 Paul has held up the Macedonians’ generosity and pointed to Christ’s self-giving as a model (8:1–9).
Paul frames the collection as aimed at balance, not harm. He explicitly denies that his request is meant to make one group comfortable while the Corinthians are “distressed” (verse 13). The stated purpose is “equality” (verses 14–15): a fair outcome where present surplus meets present need.
A common mistake is to turn the wording into a slogan. The better reading keeps the phrase tied to the passage, the speaker, and the problem the book is addressing.
Start with 2 Corinthians 8:13-14, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
13For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,
14but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality.