2 Corinthians 8:3
in 2 Corinthians 8For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
KJV
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 8
Commentary
9 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
For to their power - To the utmost of their ability. I bear record - Paul had founded those churches and had spent much time with them. He was therefore well qualified to bear testimony in regard to their condition. Yea, and beyond their power - Beyond what could have been expected; or beyond what it would have been thought possible in their condition.
This site's exposition
the grace that God has given
on 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
The collection opens by calling giving the grace that God has given, charis, the word that governs chapters 8 and 9. In Macedonia deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity, because they gave themselves first to the Lord.
This site's exposition
even beyond it
Albert Barnes notes that Paul had founded these churches and so could testify to their condition. Adam Clarke says they gave with no rule but their ability, then went past it and did without necessities for a time. They gave of their own accord.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
Because they gave themselves to God wholeheartedly, they wanted to offer even more than their strength allowed.
Wherefore he nowhere says, 'the richness of the gifts,' but "the riches of their liberality." Now what he says is to this effect; 'their poverty not only was no impediment to their being bountiful, but was even an occasion to them of abounding, just as affliction was of feeling joy. For the poorer they were, the more munificent they were and contributed the more readily.' Wherefore also he admires them exceedingly, for that in the midst of so great poverty they had displayed so great munificence. For "their deep," that is, 'their great and unspeakable,' "poverty," showed their "liberality." But he said not 'showed,' but "abounded;" and he said not "liberality," but "riches of liberality;" that is, an equipoise to the greatness of their poverty, or rather much outweighing it, was the bountifulness they displayed. Then he even explains this more clearly, saying, "For according to their power, I bear witness." Trustworthy is the witness. "And beyond their power." That is, it "abounded unto the riches of their liberality." Or rather, he makes this plain, not by this expression alone, but also by all that follows; for he says, "of their own accord." Lo! yet another excessiveness.
The Medieval Church2 voices
That is, just as their great affliction produced an abundance of joy, so also their great and extreme poverty not only did not hinder them from giving alms, but even more impelled them "to abound in riches." He did not say, however, in riches of …
Then when he says, "For they gave according to their means," he explains what he said by commending their generosity as to three things, namely, as to the quantity given, the will to give, and the order of giving. As to the quantity given, it …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
For to their power, I bear record,....
1 more voice on this verse
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
For to their power, etc. - In their liberality they had no rule but their ability; they believed they were bound to contribute all they could; and even this rule they transgressed, for they went beyond their power - they deprived themselves for a time of the necessaries of life, in order to give to others who were destitute even of necessaries.
The words behind it
8 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ὅτι | hoti | For | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| κατὰ | kata | according to | G2596 → | 468 times |
| δύναμιν, | dunamin | [their] ability, | G1411 → | 119 times |
| μαρτυρῶ, | marturo | I testify [that], | G3140 → | |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| παρὰ | para | beside | G3844 → | 192 times |
| δύναμιν | dunamin | [their] ability | G1411 → | 119 times |
| αὐθαίρετοι, | authairetoi | [they were] willing of themselves, | G830 → |
ὅτιFor
hotiG3754 →1292 times
κατὰaccording to
kataG2596 →468 times
δύναμιν,[their] ability,
dunaminG1411 →119 times
μαρτυρῶ,I testify [that],
marturoG3140 →
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
παρὰbeside
paraG3844 →192 times
δύναμιν[their] ability
dunaminG1411 →119 times
αὐθαίρετοι,[they were] willing of themselves,
authairetoiG830 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Philemon 1:14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
Through
Exodus 35:5Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze;
it leads to
- Psalms 110:3
Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth.
- Exodus 25:2–7
“Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him.
- Judges 5:9
My heart is with the princes of Israel, with the volunteers among the people. Bless the LORD!
- 2 Corinthians 8:11–12
Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means.
- Psalms 110:3
Through
Exodus 35:29So all the men and women of the Israelites whose hearts prompted them brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
it leads to
- Exodus 35:4
Moses also told the whole congregation of Israel, “This is what the LORD has commanded:
- Exodus 35:21–22
And everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its services, and for the…
- Deuteronomy 12:32
See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.
- Exodus 35:4
Where this verse is studied
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily 16 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.