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 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 8:12 | if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has | Pro 19:17 (Generosity rewarded) |
| Luke 21:3-4 | the widow ... put in all she had | Mark 12:42-44 (Similar widow) |
| Acts 4:32 | all the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own | Acts 2:44-45 (Early church sharing) |
| Romans 12:1 | present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God | 1 Peter 2:5 (Spiritual sacrifices) |
| 1 Cor 13:2 | If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge... but have no love, I am nothing | 1 Cor 13:3 (Giving without love is useless) |
| Phil 4:18 | I have received full payment and have surplus. I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you sent | 2 Cor 9:7 (Cheerful giver) |
| Deut 15:7-8 | If there is among you a poor man, one of your brothers... you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him | Deut 15:11 (Never lack a poor person) |
| Prov 11:24-25 | One gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is due, and comes to poverty. The generous will themselves be blessed | Prov 22:9 (Good giver) |
| Matt 5:7 | "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. | 1 John 4:7-8 (God is love) |
| Heb 13:16 | Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. | Gal 6:9-10 (Doing good to all) |
| 2 Cor 9:6 | Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. | Gal 6:7 (Reaping what you sow) |
| Mark 14:3-9 | The alabaster flask of expensive ointment poured on Jesus' head | John 12:1-8 (Similar account) |
| Luke 6:38 | Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over... | Matt 7:2 (Measure you give) |
| 1 Cor 7:20-24 | Each of you should continue in the state in which you were called. | Eph 4:1 (Walk in your calling) |
| Exod 25:2 | "Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution | Exod 35:21 (Freely offering) |
| Ps 50:12-14 | If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine... Offer to God thanksgiving | Ps 116:17 (Sacrifice of praise) |
| Acts 20:35 | It is more blessed to give than to receive. | Prov 28:27 (He who gives to the poor) |
| Rom 15:26-27 | for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. | 1 Cor 16:1-4 (Collection for saints) |
| 1 John 3:17 | But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? | James 1:27 (Pure religion) |
| Prov 28:22 | A stingy person is eager for wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. | Eccl 11:1-2 (Cast your bread) |
2 Corinthians 8 verses
2 Corinthians 8 12 Meaning
This verse emphasizes the importance of willingness and giving according to one's means, rather than the amount given. The sincerity of the heart and the presence of what one has are paramount in God's eyes when it comes to offerings and acts of generosity. It's not about the magnitude of the gift, but the genuine spirit behind it and the measure of its relation to the giver's resources.
2 Corinthians 8 12 Context
In 2 Corinthians chapter 8, Paul is urging the Corinthian believers to participate in a collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. He highlights the example of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their extreme poverty, joyfully gave generously. Paul is building his case for their participation by emphasizing that their giving should be motivated by love and grace, not by compulsion. He previously described their willing spirit (2 Cor 8:5), their readiness to give (2 Cor 8:11), and now, he sets the standard for acceptance: "if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has." This verse is a pivotal point in his exhortation, ensuring that their giving is perceived and received by God based on their capacity and willingness.
2 Corinthians 8 12 Word Analysis
- εἰ: (ei) - "if." Conditional particle, introducing the premise upon which acceptance is based.
- δὲ: (de) - "but," "and." Connective particle, linking this condition to the preceding statement about readiness.
- ἔστιν: (estin) - "is," "exists." Third person singular present indicative of εἰμί (eimi), meaning "to be."
- πρόθυμος: (prothymos) - "ready," "willing," "eager." Adjective emphasizing a cheerful and unforced disposition towards giving. Derived from pro (before, forward) and thymos (spirit, will, impulse).
- καθὸ: (kath' ho) - "according as," "to the extent that," "in proportion as." Comparative adverbial conjunction. It links the measure of acceptance to the measure of what the giver possesses.
- ἔχει: (echei) - "he has," "one has." Third person singular present indicative of ἔχω (echo), "to have," "to possess."
Words Group Analysis:
- "if the readiness is there": This phrase (εἰ δὲ ἔστιν πρόθυμος) establishes a clear prerequisite for acceptable giving. It's not the outward act alone, but the inward disposition of willingness that God prioritizes. This connects to the theme of a cheerful giver found in other Pauline epistles (2 Cor 9:7).
- "it is acceptable according to what one has": This clause (καθὸ ἔχει) clarifies the standard by which the gift is measured. "Acceptable" (often implied by context for such giving or similar contexts where God's approval is sought) is linked directly to the means of the giver. God does not expect what one does not have; He requires giving that is proportionate to one's resources and not beyond them.
2 Corinthians 8 12 Bonus Section
This verse subtly counteracts any potential pride or boastfulness that might arise from giving large sums. It places the focus squarely on the believer's relationship with God and their stewardship of what they have been given. The Greek term prothymos is crucial here; it implies not just a passive readiness but an active, forward-leaning spirit. This "readiness" reflects a heart that has been transformed by grace and is moved by love, as previously discussed in chapters 8 and 9 concerning the Macedonian believers. It's a reflection of Christ's own self-giving.
2 Corinthians 8 12 Commentary
Paul reassures the Corinthians that their giving will be acceptable to God not based on a predetermined amount, but on the willing heart and the realistic measure of their possessions. The emphasis is on genuine generosity, born from a readiness to share, and executed according to one's ability. God's evaluation is rooted in sincerity and proportionality. It's about the sacrifice made relative to what one has, not about outdoing others in the size of the contribution. This principle encourages all believers, regardless of their economic status, to participate actively in supporting the needs of the community and spreading the Gospel, trusting that God honors faithful stewardship and willing hearts.
Practical Usage Examples:
- When contributing to a church fund, give joyfully from your budget, understanding that your sincere portion honors God.
- If a friend needs help, offer what you can spare, rather than being paralyzed by the inability to meet their entire need.
- Participating in a shared meal, contribute food you prepared, aligning with your means and effort.