2 Corinthians 8:5 kjv
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
2 Corinthians 8:5 nkjv
And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
2 Corinthians 8:5 niv
And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
2 Corinthians 8:5 esv
and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
2 Corinthians 8:5 nlt
They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
2 Corinthians 8 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 8:5 | And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord... | Deut 6:5 (Love the Lord your God) |
| Rom 12:1 | I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice... | Offering self as sacrifice |
| Ps 116:16 | O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your handmaid. You have loosed my bonds. | Servanthood to God |
| Josh 24:15 | ...choose this day whom you will serve... | Commitment to serve |
| Acts 20:35 | ...Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' | Principle of giving |
| Phil 4:17 | Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your account. | Fruit of generosity |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Spirit-empowered character |
| Matt 19:29 | And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. | Sacrifice for Christ |
| 1 Chron 29:9 | Then the people rejoiced, for it was of a willing heart that they offered freely to the LORD... | Willingness in giving |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Cheerful giving |
| Mark 12:41-44 | He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in a lot. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all her living.' | Giving from sacrifice |
| Luke 21:4 | For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had. | True sacrifice in giving |
| 1 Cor 15:10 | But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. | Grace enables work and giving |
| Col 3:17 | And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. | Doing all for the Lord |
| 1 Tim 6:17-19 | As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be proud, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Charge them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. | Wealth used for good |
| 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? | Love expressed in giving |
| Heb 13:16 | Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. | Pleasing sacrifices |
| Prov 11:24-25 | Whoever brings happiness to others will himself be happy; those who help others will themselves be helped. People who bless their neighbors will themselves be blessed. | Reciprocity of generosity |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ... | Saints equipped for ministry |
| Gal 6:10 | So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. | Doing good to the household of faith |
2 Corinthians 8 verses
2 Corinthians 8 5 Meaning
This verse describes the giving of oneself to the Lord first, which then naturally led to giving of material possessions for the Lord's work and the needs of the saints. It highlights that true giving is a result of a transformed heart and a willing spirit dedicated to God. The Corinthians' willingness to contribute to the needs of the impoverished believers in Judea was a demonstration of their consecration.
2 Corinthians 8 5 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 8 addresses the collection for the needy saints in Jerusalem. Paul is writing to the Corinthian church, commending their initial enthusiasm for this cause and urging them to complete their commitment. He uses the example of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their poverty, gave generously out of their abundance. This particular verse, 2 Corinthians 8:5, is a pivotal point in Paul’s exhortation, explaining the underlying motivation and foundation for the Corinthians’ willingness to give. The historical context is that a famine had greatly impacted the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, and Paul was mobilizing the Gentile churches to provide financial relief.
2 Corinthians 8 5 Word Analysis
- καὶ (kai): and. Connects this clause to the preceding thought, showing a continuation and addition.
- οὐ (ou): not. A strong negation.
- μόνον (monon): only. Indicates that their giving was more than just material.
- ὡς (hos): as. Introduces a comparison or manner.
- ἡμεῖς (hemeis): we. Refers to Paul and his companions.
- ἠλπίσαμεν (elpikomen): hoped, trusted. The perfect tense suggests a settled confidence and expectation.
- ἀλλ’ (all'): but. A strong adversative conjunction, signaling a significant contrast or addition.
- αὐτοὶ (autoi): they themselves. Emphasizes their active, personal involvement and initiative.
- πρῶτον (prōton): first. Indicates priority or precedence; they did this before giving financially.
- ἑαυτοὺς (eautous): themselves. Reflexive pronoun, highlighting a personal offering.
- ἔδωκαν (edōkan): gave. Aorist tense, indicating a completed action in the past. This signifies a definitive commitment.
- Κυρίῳ (Kuriō): to the Lord. The dative case points to the recipient of their self-giving.
- καὶ (kai): and. Links the giving of themselves to the act of giving their possessions.
- ἡμῖν (hēmin): to us. The dative case indicates to whom they gave their material gifts.
- εἰς (eis): for, into. Indicates purpose or destination.
- διακονίαν (diakonian): ministry, service. Refers to the task of serving the needs of others, particularly the collection and distribution of alms.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:
- "not only as we had hoped": This phrase suggests that Paul and his companions had an expectation, but the reality surpassed it. Their hope was for the Corinthians to participate in the collection, but their self-dedication was a deeper expression.
- "but they first gave themselves to the Lord": This is the core of the verse. The sequence is crucial: self-dedication to the Lord precedes the giving of material gifts. This means their spiritual commitment was the primary offering, making the subsequent material giving a natural overflow of their devotion to Christ.
- "and to us by the will of God": This links their giving of themselves to God's will and acknowledges Paul and his team as God’s instruments for facilitating this ministry.
2 Corinthians 8 5 Bonus Section
The Greek word "diakonian" (ministry/service) emphasizes that the act of giving for the needy saints was considered a sacred ministry, a divinely appointed service rather than mere charity. Paul understood the collection as an essential part of the gospel ministry itself, bridging cultural and economic divides within the early church. This concept elevates the significance of charitable giving within the Christian faith, presenting it as an integral aspect of discipleship and church life. It’s also notable that the Corinthians’ generosity is linked to the grace of God (v. 1, 6, 16), reinforcing that all ability and willingness to give originates from Him.
2 Corinthians 8 5 Commentary
The generosity exemplified by the Corinthians was not merely a humanitarian act, but a profound spiritual one. They first surrendered themselves entirely to the Lord Jesus Christ. This total consecration means aligning one’s entire being—mind, will, emotions, and possessions—with God's purposes. Such a complete offering transforms giving from an obligation into a joyous privilege. When individuals commit themselves to the Lord, their resources become available to Him for His work and for meeting the needs of fellow believers. The Macedonians are praised for their prior willingness to give themselves to the Lord (v. 5) before they gave bountifully from their own poverty (2 Cor 8:2-3), setting a clear precedent for the Corinthians and believers throughout history. True, sacrificial giving stems from a heart fully surrendered to God’s sovereignty and love.
- Practical Application: Before considering financial giving, evaluate your overall commitment to Christ. Are you willing to surrender your time, talents, and possessions to His service?
- Prioritizing Dedication: True generosity arises from a transformed life. Cultivate a deeper devotion to God, and your stewardship of resources will naturally reflect this commitment.