2 Corinthians 8:11 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.
2 Corinthians 8:11 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.
2 Corinthians 8:11 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.
2 Corinthians 8:11 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.
2 Corinthians 8:11 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.
2 Corinthians 8 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 8:11 | Now finish ye also, as ye have begun in this | 2 Cor 8:6, 10 |
| Gal 5:13 | For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. | Service through love |
| Phil 4:17 | Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. | Abounding fruit from generosity |
| Rom 12:8 | He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. | Cheerfulness in giving |
| Prov 11:24 | There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. | Generosity leads to increase |
| Luke 6:38 | Give, and it shall be given you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. | Principle of sowing and reaping |
| Acts 20:35 | I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. | Blessedness of giving |
| 1 Tim 6:17-19 | Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. | Riches used for good works |
| Deut 15:7-11 | If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother; But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou wilt give him nought; and he cry unto the LORD because of thee, and it be sin unto thee. And thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. | Command to give generously |
| Ps 112:5 | A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. | Favour and lending |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. | Selfless consideration for others |
| 1 John 3:17 | But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? | Compassion in material needs |
| Col 3:23 | And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; | Diligence in all service |
| Eph 5:10 | Prove what is acceptable unto the Lord. | Discernment of God's will |
| Heb 13:16 | But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. | Pleasing sacrifices of good deeds |
| 1 Cor 10:31 | Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do it all for the glory of God. | Doing all for God's glory |
| John 13:34-35 | A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. | Love as a mark of discipleship |
| 1 Thess 4:9-10 | But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do towards all the brethren which are in all Macedonia. Howbeit, we exhort you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; | Exhortation to increase love |
| Rom 15:26-27 | For it hath pleased the churches of Macedonia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily, and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. | Gentile participation in supporting Jerusalem saints |
| Eph 4:1-3 | I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. | Walking worthy of vocation |
2 Corinthians 8 verses
2 Corinthians 8 11 Meaning
This verse speaks about completing an act of service or generosity with enthusiasm and readiness. It emphasizes that the willingness to give, if it springs from a sincere and cheerful heart, is what truly counts and is acceptable to God, regardless of the amount given. The key idea is the attitude of the giver, reflecting a genuine desire to serve and obey.
2 Corinthians 8 11 Context
This verse is found within Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, specifically in chapters 8 and 9, which deal extensively with the matter of the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Paul is commending the churches in Macedonia for their exceptional liberality and earnest desire to contribute. He is encouraging the Corinthians, who had previously expressed a desire to give, to complete their commitment. The immediate context is Paul's praise for the Corinthians' initial willingness and his exhortation for them to finish their promised contribution. This is set against the backdrop of demonstrating Christ-like love and unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, fostering a tangible expression of the Gospel's unifying power.
2 Corinthians 8 11 Word Analysis
- νῦν (nun): Now. This signifies an immediate transition or present emphasis, calling for present action or continuation.
- δὲ (de): But/And. A conjunction used here to connect the present exhortation to the preceding encouragement, possibly indicating a gentle contrast or continuation.
- καὶ (kai): Also/And. Connects "ye" to the previous example of the Macedonians.
- ὑμεῖς (hymeis): Ye. Emphasizes the recipients of the instruction – the Corinthian believers.
- προέθεσθε (proletheste): Ye purposed/resolved. This is from the verb pro-tithemi, meaning to place before, propose, or purpose. It highlights a prior decision and commitment made by the Corinthians to participate in the offering. This reflects a deliberate and settled intention.
- προετρέψατο (proetrepasto): It (your readiness) led on/prompted. This perfect tense form from pro-trepo suggests an initial eagerness and voluntary impulse that propelled them forward. It implies an initiative that gained momentum.
- εἰς (eis): Unto/To. Indicates the direction or goal of their readiness.
- τὸ (to): The. Definite article.
- εὐσχῆμονα (euschemōna): Becoming/Decent/Graceful. From eu (well) and schema (form/shape). It describes an action done in a respectable, proper, and fitting manner, aligning with godly character and good testimony.
- συντελέσαι (syntelesai): To complete/finish. From syn-teleo, meaning to bring together to an end, accomplish, or fulfill. It's a strong word for completion, not just finishing, but doing so thoroughly and effectively.
Word Group Analysis:
- "προέθεσθε ... εἰς ... συντελέσαι" (proletheste ... eis ... syntelesai): "ye purposed ... to complete." This phrase underscores the voluntary nature and deliberate commitment of the Corinthians. They didn't just consider giving; they decided and resolved to finish what they started, moving from intention to completion.
- "τὸ εὐσχῆμονα" (to euschemōna): "the becoming." This emphasizes that the completion of their giving should be done with integrity, propriety, and dignity, reflecting well on their Christian faith and commitment. It’s about the quality and character of the completion, not just the act itself.
2 Corinthians 8 11 Bonus Section
The Greek word syntelesai (to complete) implies not just finishing, but doing so efficiently and to its proper end, bringing a task to its intended conclusion with full accomplishment. This echoes the concept of Christ's finished work on the cross (John 19:30, "It is finished"). In the context of giving, it suggests that a sincere offering is one that is brought to its full, intended conclusion, reflecting a completed act of obedience and love. The Macedonian example in the preceding verses serves as a strong incentive and model for the Corinthians. Their "readiness" (pro-trepomai) was a powerful impetus for their giving, and Paul wants the Corinthians to likewise be spurred on by this initial impetus to fully execute their resolve. The completeness here also speaks to the idea of sincerity and completeness of heart in the act of giving.
2 Corinthians 8 11 Commentary
This verse is a powerful call to follow through on spiritual commitments with the same zeal and excellence with which they began. Paul reminds the Corinthians that their initial willingness ("purposed") and the prompting they felt were genuine expressions of God's work in them. He urges them not just to finish their contribution, but to complete it in a "becoming" manner. This means doing it with dignity, grace, and a consistent heart attitude that reflects Christ. The emphasis is on completing with integrity and completeness. It's a reminder that the "finishing" matters just as much as the beginning, and that our actions should align with our convictions, bringing glory to God through the way we live out our faith.
Practical Usage Examples:
- Commitment to study: If you’ve committed to read a chapter of Scripture daily, don’t stop after a few days. Continue with the same eagerness to finish what you started.
- Church service: When serving in a ministry, complete your assigned tasks with dedication, even when it's not popular or easy, doing it "with cheerfulness."
- Personal goals: If you've set a goal for spiritual growth or ethical conduct, pursue it with resolve until it becomes a consistent part of your life, ensuring the process is done with integrity.