2 Corinthians 8:10

I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

I give advice in this: it is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

BSB

And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.

KJV

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

ASV

And herein I give [my] judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.

BBE

And in this I give my opinion: for it is to your profit, who were the first to make a start a year before, not only to do this, but to make clear that your minds were more than ready to do it.

Original Greek

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καὶ kai And G2532 γνώμην gnōmēn a judgment G1106 ἐν en in G1722 τούτῳ toutō this [matter] G3778 δίδωμι didōmi I give G1325 τοῦτο touto this G3778 γὰρ gar indeed G1063 ὑμῖν humin for you G4771 συμφέρει sumpherei is profitable G4851 οἵτινες oitines who G3748 οὐ ou not G3756 μόνον monon only G3441 τὸ to (the) G3588 ποιῆσαι poiēsai to act G4160 ἀλλὰ alla but G235 καὶ kai also G2532 τὸ to (the) G3588 θέλειν thelein to will G2309 προενήρξασθε proenērxasthe you began before G4278 ἀπὸ apo before G575 πέρυσι perusi a year ago G4070

The early church

See how again he is careful to give no offence and softens down what he says, by these two things, by saying, "I give advice," and, "for your profit." 'For, neither do I compel and force you,' says he, 'or demand it from unwilling subjects; nor do I say these things with an eye so much to the receivers benefit as to yours.' Then the instance also which follows is drawn from themselves, and not from others. Who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. See how he shows both that themselves were willing, and had come to this resolution without persuasion. For since he had borne this witness to the Thessalonians, that "of their own accord with much intreaty," they had prosecuted this giving of alms; he is desirous of showing of these also that this good work is their own. Wherefore he said, "not only to do, but also to will," and not "begun," but "begun before, a year ago." Unto these things therefore I exhort you, whereunto ye beforehand bestirred yourselves with all forwardness.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 2 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 10–15

Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance. When men purpose that which is good, and endeavour, according to their ability, to perform also, God will not reject them for what it is not in their power to do. But this scripture will not justify those who think good meanings are enough, or that good purposes, and the mere profession of a willing mind, are enough to save. Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world, and to some less, that those who have abundance might supply others who are in want. It is the will of God, that by our mutual supplying one another, there should be some sort of equality; not such a levelling as would destroy property, for in such a case there could be no exercise of charity. All should think themselves concerned to relieve those in want. This is shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the wilderness, Ex 16:18. Those who have most of this world, have no more than food and raiment; and those who have but little of this world, seldom are quite without them.

Read Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 8 →

Cross-references

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Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.