2 Corinthians 8:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

NASB: But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.

CSB: Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have.

NLT: 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.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.

Paul is urging the Corinthians to follow through on a previous commitment to give to meet the needs of suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He is not commanding them to do so. He wants them to give as an act of grace and love. This is typified by the actions of the Macedonian believers, who gave generously despite their own poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1–5).

Now, though, Paul sounds more forceful. A desire to give, even a sincere readiness to do so, is not meaningful if it never results in actual giving. There is a wide gap between "wanting something to happen" and "being willing to make something happen." Verbally agreeing to help others is one thing, but that agreement is hollow until we take steps to make good on our promise.

With that in mind, Paul urges the Corinthians to demonstrate that their original desire to give was sincere. He asks them to demonstrate that it was a meaningful desire to demonstrate God's grace and love by following through now that the time has come to actually provide funds to the collection.

Second Corinthians 8:1–15 begins with Paul's praise for the churches in Macedonia. These believers begged to be included in giving to a collection for the suffering Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their own commitment to do the same thing of their own free will as an act of grace. In doing so, they will also be following the example of Jesus' sacrifice for them. They should give proportionally, using their abundance to meet the need of other believers so that all may have enough.

The Corinthians had previously agreed to contribute to a collection. This was for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Paul raises the issue with them, pointing to the example of the poverty-stricken Macedonian churches who had given beyond their means of their own free will. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their commitment by their own choice. Titus and two representatives of other churches are coming to Corinth to oversee the collection so it is done with integrity. Paul urges the Corinthians to prove their love by following through on their commitment to give.

Second Corinthians 8 follows Paul's expression of comfort and rejoicing at what he learned from Titus. That news explained the Corinthians' repentance in response to Paul's letter of rebuke. Next Paul urges them to follow through on a commitment to contribute to a collection for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He points to the example of the generous gifts of the poverty-stricken Macedonian churches and asks the Corinthians to prove that their own Christlike love for others is genuine by excelling in this, as well. Titus and two delegates from other churches will come to Corinth to oversee the collection. In chapter 9, Paul will continue to discuss this ministry opportunity.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

Accessed 5/4/2024 5:40:37 AM