2 Corinthians 8 12

2 Corinthians 8:12 kjv

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

2 Corinthians 8:12 nkjv

For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

2 Corinthians 8:12 niv

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 8:12 esv

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

2 Corinthians 8:12 nlt

Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have.

2 Corinthians 8 verses

2 Corinthians 8 12 Meaning

2 Corinthians 8:12 teaches a profound principle of Christian giving: God values the willing heart and accepts offerings based on what a person genuinely possesses, not on what they lack. It highlights that an eager intention to give is paramount and that divine acceptance is proportional to one's resources. God neither expects nor judges individuals for failing to give what they do not have. This perspective fosters grace and encourages generosity in all financial circumstances.

2 Corinthians 8 12 Context

Chapter 8 of 2 Corinthians finds Paul exhorting the Corinthian church to complete their promised collection for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. This collection, a significant undertaking, was designed not only to alleviate suffering but also to solidify the unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians, demonstrating mutual love and support within the broader body of Christ (cf. Gal 2:10, Rom 15:25-27). Paul motivates the Corinthians by citing the extraordinary generosity of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their own severe poverty, gave "beyond their ability" (2 Cor 8:3), fueled by "the grace of God" (2 Cor 8:1). Verse 12 serves to clarify the principles behind acceptable giving, assuaging any potential feelings of inadequacy, particularly among those with fewer resources, and preventing an emphasis on the quantity over the spirit of the gift. The broader cultural context often saw wealthy patrons engaging in public acts of philanthropy (euergetism) to gain social standing, but Paul's teaching radically reorients giving as an act of grace and heartfelt devotion, accepted by God on different terms.

2 Corinthians 8 12 Word analysis

• For: (Greek: gar, γὰρ) This conjunction introduces a reason or explanation, linking the current statement directly to Paul's preceding exhortation for the Corinthians to fulfill their promise of giving. It grounds the call to action in a divine principle.
• if there is first: (Greek: ei gar prokeitaí, εἰ γὰρ πρόκειταί) The conditional "if" (ei) emphasizes a prerequisite. Prokeitaí means "is laid before" or "is at hand/ready," implying something already existing. It sets the condition that the "willing mind" must precede the act of giving for it to be acceptable. This initial readiness is crucial.
• a willing mind: (Greek: hē prothumia, ἡ προθυμία) This is a central term. Prothumia denotes "eagerness," "readiness of mind," "spontaneous willingness," or "promptness." It refers to the internal disposition, the heartfelt desire to give, as opposed to external pressure, compulsion, or a mere sense of duty. God primarily observes the heart's attitude, not just the action itself.
• it is accepted: (Greek: euprosdektos, εὐπρόσδεκτος) Meaning "well-received," "acceptable," or "pleasing," especially to God. This term highlights divine approval. Giving that stems from a willing mind is looked upon favorably by God; it gains His positive reception.
• according to what one has: (Greek: kath' ho ean echēi, καθ' ὃ ἐὰν ἔχῃ) This phrase signifies proportionality. Kath' ho means "according to which" or "in proportion to what." Ean echēi means "whatever one has" or "if one has." God evaluates the gift relative to the giver's actual resources and capacity. This is not about equal amounts but equal sacrifice or proportional generosity.
• and not according to what he does not have: (Greek: ou kath' ho ouk echēi, οὐ καθ' ὃ οὐκ ἔχῃ) The strong negation "not" (ou) explicitly defines the boundary of divine expectation. God does not demand or judge a person based on what is beyond their current means. This removes any burden of inadequacy or guilt from those with limited resources and emphasizes fairness and grace in giving. It assures that God does not expect the impossible.

Words-group analysis:

• "For if there is first a willing mind": This phrase underscores the primary condition for an offering to be deemed acceptable by God. The internal motivation and eagerness of the giver's heart hold precedence over the external act of giving or the monetary amount involved. It's about a disposition of grace before any gift is exchanged.
• "it is accepted according to what one has": This clause details the basis of divine acceptance. God's favor rests on gifts given in proportion to a person's current means. This prevents judgment based on absolute figures and establishes a fair standard that encourages everyone, regardless of wealth, to participate generously.
• "and not according to what he does not have": This further clarifies the previous point by explicitly stating what God does not consider. There is no divine expectation or disapproval for what an individual truly lacks. This removes fear, ensures no one feels spiritually compelled to give beyond their ability, and underscores the compassionate nature of God's demands in financial matters.

2 Corinthians 8 12 Bonus section

• This principle reflects the continuity between the Old and New Covenants, where the poor Israelite could offer less expensive sacrifices (e.g., two turtledoves instead of a lamb, Lev 5:7) without any loss of acceptance from God. The Mosaic law itself had provisions tailored to different economic capacities, showing God's understanding of human limitations while still desiring a sincere offering.
• The emphasis on "first a willing mind" directly counteracts any notion that giving is a legalistic requirement or a means to earn God's favor. Instead, it places giving squarely within the realm of grace—a joyful response to God's love and generosity (cf. 2 Cor 9:8-11).
• Paul, in fact, practices what he preaches. He often supported himself through tentmaking (Acts 18:3) so that he would not be a burden to the churches, particularly the Corinthians, to allow them to focus on giving for the Jerusalem collection. His ministry modeled generosity and integrity, reinforcing that the message of grace in giving should be embodied by its teachers.
• The collection for Jerusalem was not just about charity; it was a profound act of ecumenical unity. The Gentile churches, benefiting from the spiritual heritage brought by Jewish believers (Rom 15:27), were now providing material support to their impoverished Jewish brethren, symbolizing their shared bond in Christ and gratitude.

2 Corinthians 8 12 Commentary

2 Corinthians 8:12 offers a liberating and foundational principle for Christian stewardship. Paul asserts that the initial and paramount criterion for acceptable giving is a "willing mind." This eager disposition, a heart moved by grace and generosity rather than obligation or coercion, is what God seeks above all else. Where this willingness is present, the gift itself is "accepted," signifying divine favor and approval. The subsequent qualification clarifies that this acceptance is measured "according to what one has," establishing a standard of proportional giving. God never demands beyond a person's means. Conversely, He does "not" evaluate gifts based on what a person "does not have." This absolves those with fewer resources from any spiritual burden of not giving "enough" by comparison and ensures that every act of genuine generosity, regardless of its size in human eyes, is highly valued by God. This verse provides the theological grounding seen vividly in Jesus' commendation of the poor widow who gave her two mites (Mark 12:41-44), highlighting that the significance of a gift is determined by the giver's heart and the proportion of what they give from their possessions.