For I do not intend that there shall be relief to others, and affliction to you; but that, according to equality, your abundance, at the present time, may supply their wants;

and that, at a future time, their abundance may supply your wants; that there may be equality,

because the administration of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints, but also abounds in many thanksgivings to God;

for the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied my wants; and in every thing I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and will continue to keep myself.