2 Corinthians 8:11
 2 Corinthians 8:11 
New International Version (©2011)
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.

English Standard Version (©2001)
So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
But now finish the task as well, that just as there was eagerness to desire it, so there may also be a completion from what you have.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Now finish what you began, so that your eagerness to do so may be matched by your eagerness to complete it.

NET Bible (©2006)
to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Finish now by works that thing which you desire, for as you had eagerness to desire, so you should complete by works from what you have.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
So finish what you began to do. Then your willingness will be matched by what you accomplish

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have.

American King James Version
Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have.

American Standard Version
But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now therefore perform ye it also in deed; that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have.

Darby Bible Translation
But now also complete the doing of it; so that as there was the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have.

English Revised Version
But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now therefore finish the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

Weymouth New Testament
And now complete the doing also, in order that, just as there was then the eagerness in desiring, there may now be the accomplishment in proportion to your means.

World English Bible
But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.

Young's Literal Translation
and now also finish doing it, that even as there is the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which ye have,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:10-15 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.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - Now therefore perform the doing of it, etc.; "but now complete also the actual work, in order that, as was the readiness of the willing, so may be also the completion according to your means." Out of that which ye have. This, and not "out of your ability," is probably the right reading, as we see from the next verse.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Now therefore perform the doing of it,.... This is a conclusion from the former advice, to finish what was readily willed; for as it is not enough to do a thing, unless it is done cheerfully and willingly, so it is not sufficient to express a good will to such service as is here called to, without doing it; both should go together:

that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also; in some cases there is neither power nor will to do good; in others there is will, when there is not a power; but in this case of beneficence to the poor saints, as there was a willingness declared, there was an ability in the Corinthians to perform; they had it in the power of their hands, more or less, to act: and the apostle in the last clause of this verse points out the rule and measure of their liberality,

out of that which you have; according to your abilities, and as God has prospered you; and with which he shuts up the mouths of all objectors, rich and poor: should the rich say, would you have us give away all we have? the answer is, no; but "out of that which you have", something of it, according as you are able; should the poorer sort say, we are in mean circumstances, we have families to provide for, and can spare little, and what we can do is so trifling, that it is not worth giving or accepting; the reply is, give "out of that which you have", be it less or more; it follows,


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

11. perform—"complete the doing also" (see on [2318]2Co 8:10).

a readiness to will—Greek, "the readiness of will"; referring to 2Co 8:10, where the Greek for "to be forward," ought to be translated as here, "to will."

performance—"completion" [Alford], The godly should show the same zeal to finish, as well as to begin well, which the worldly exhibit in their undertakings (Jer 44:25).


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Christ's Example
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich. 10And 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. 11Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have.

Exodus 25:2 "Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.
2 Corinthians 8:3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
2 Corinthians 8:12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
2 Corinthians 8:19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
2 Corinthians 9:2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.