2 Corinthians 8:10
Parallel Verses
New International Version
And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.


English Standard Version
And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.


New American Standard Bible
I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.


King James Bible
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.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now I am giving an opinion on this because it is profitable for you, who a year ago began not only to do something but also to desire it.


International Standard Version
I am giving you my opinion on this matter because it will be helpful to you. Last year you were not only willing to do something, but had already started to do it.


American Standard Version
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.


Douay-Rheims Bible
And herein I give my advice; for this is profitable for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.


Darby Bible Translation
And I give my opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.


Young's Literal Translation
and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you is expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before -- a year ago,


Commentaries
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.

10. advice—Herein he does not (as some misinterpret the passage) disclaim inspiration for the advice he gives; but under the Spirit, states that it is his "opinion" [Alford] or "judgment" [Ellicott, and others], not a command, that so their offering might be free and spontaneous.

this—my giving you an advice, not a command.

who have begun before—"seeing that ye have begun before" the Macedonian churches; "a year ago" should be connected with this clause.

not only to do, but also to be forward—There were three steps: (1) the forwardness, more literally, "the will"; (2) the setting about it, literally, "doing it"; (3) completion of it [Alford]. In the two former, not only the act, but the intention, the Corinthians preceded the Macedonians. Bengel explains, "Not only to do" FOR THE PAST YEAR, "but also to be forward" or willing FOR THIS YEAR. Ellicott translates, "already," instead of "before": "Ye began already a year ago, not only to do, but also to be forward." It appears hence, that something had been done in the matter a year before; other texts, however, show the collection was not yet paid (compare 2Co 8:11 and 2Co 9:5, 7). This agrees with one, and only one supposition, namely, that every man had laid by in store the fund from which he was afterwards to contribute, the very case which is shown by 1Co 16:2 to have existed [Paley, Horæ Paulinæ].

2 Corinthians 8:9
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