2 Corinthians 8 · Verse 10

2 Corinthians 8:10

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

2 Corinthians 8:10, King James Version

2 Corinthians 8:10 in other translations

BSB	And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.
WEB	I give advice in this: it is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.
ASV	And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.
YLT	and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you is expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before--a year ago,
DARBY	And I give my opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.
BBE	And in this I give my opinion: for it is to your profit, who were the first to make a start a year before, not only to do this, but to make clear that your minds were more than ready to do it.
Webster	And in this I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

What does 2 Corinthians 8:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

10. advice--Herein he does not (as some misinterpret the passage) disclaim inspiration for the advice he gives; but under the Spirit, states that it is his "opinion" [Alford] or "judgment" [Ellicott, and others], not a command, that so their offering might be free and spontaneous. this--my giving you an advice, not a command. who have begun before--"seeing that ye have begun before" the Macedonian churches; "a year ago" should be connected with this clause. not only to do, but also to be forward--There were three steps: (1) the forwardness, more literally, "the will"; (2) the setting about it, literally, "doing it"; (3) completion of it [Alford]. In the two former, not only the act, but the intention, the Corinthians preceded the Macedonians. Bengel explains, "Not only to do" FOR THE PAST YEAR, "but also to be forward" or willing FOR THIS YEAR. Ellicott translates, "already," instead of "before": "Ye began already a year ago, not only to do, but also to be forward." It appears hence, that something had been done in the matter a year before; other texts, however, show the collection was not yet paid (compare 2Co 8:11 and 2Co 9:5, 7). This agrees with one, and only one supposition, namely, that every man had laid by in store the fund from which he was afterwards to contribute, the very case which is shown by 1Co 16:2 to have existed [Paley, Horæ Paulinæ].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 10. And herein I give my advice. Not undertaking to command them, or to prescribe how much they should give. Advice will go much farther than commands on the subject of charities.

For this is expedient for you. συμφερει. That is, this will be of advantage to you; it will be profitable; it will be becoming. The idea is, that they were bound by a regard to consistency and to their own welfare, to perform what they had purposed. It became them; it was proper, and was demanded; and there would have been manifest disadvantages if it had not been done.

Who have begun before. Who commenced the collection a year before. See 2Cor 8:6. It had been commenced with fair prospects of success, but had been interrupted probably by the dissensions which arose in the church there.

Not only to do. Not merely to accomplish it as if by constraint, or as a matter of compulsion and drudgery.

But also to be forward. Marg., "willing." So the Greek, (τοθελειν). They were voluntary in this, and they set about it with vigorous and determined zeal and courage. There was a resolute determination in the thing, and a willingness and heartiness in it which showed that they were actuated by Christian principle. Consistency, and their own reputation and advantage, now demanded that they should complete what they had begun.

(1) "forward" "willing"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 10 Herein I give my advice - For I speak not by way of commandment, 2Cor 8:8. For this is expedient for you - It is necessary you should do this to preserve a consistency of conduct; for ye began this work a year ago, and it is necessary that ye should complete it as soon as possible. Not only to do, but also to be forward - Το ποιησαι - και το θελειν, literally, to do and to will; but as the will must be before the deed, θελειν, must be taken here in the sense of delight, as it frequently means in the Old and New Testaments. See several examples in Whitby. Some MSS. transpose the words: allowing this, there is no difficulty. A year ago - Απο περυσι. It was about a year before this that the apostle, in his first epistle, 1Cor 16:2, had exhorted them to make this contribution and there is no doubt that they, in obedience to his directions, had begun to lay up in store for this charitable purpose; he therefore wishes them to complete this good work, and thus show that they were not led to it by the example of the Macedonians, seeing they themselves had been first movers in this business.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:10-15

Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance. When men purpose that which is good, and endeavour, according to their ability, to perform also, God will not reject them for what it is not in their power to do. But this scripture will not justify those who think good meanings are enough, or that good purposes, and the mere profession of a willing mind, are enough to save. Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world, and to some less, that those who have abundance might supply others who are in want. It is the will of God, that by our mutual supplying one another, there should be some sort of equality; not such a levelling as would destroy property, for in such a case there could be no exercise of charity. All should think themselves concerned to relieve those in want. This is shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the wilderness, Ex 16:18. Those who have most of this world, have no more than food and raiment; and those who have but little of this world, seldom are quite without them.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Corinthians 8:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532

γνώμηνgnōmēna judgmentG1106

ἐνeninG1722

τούτῳtoutōthis [matter]G3778

δίδωμι·didōmiI give;G1325

τοῦτοtoutothisG3778

γὰρgarindeedG1063

ὑμῖνhuminfor youG4771

συμφέρει,sumphereiis profitable,G4851

οἵτινεςoitineswhoG3748

οὐounotG3756

μόνονmonononlyG3441

τὸto<the>G3588

ποιῆσαιpoiēsaito actG4160

ἀλλὰallabutG235

καὶkaialsoG2532

τὸto<the>G3588

θέλεινtheleinto willG2309

προενήρξασθεproenērxastheyou began beforeG4278

ἀπὸapobeforeG575

πέρυσι.perusia year ago.G4070

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 8:10

Hebrews 13:16
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
1 Timothy 6:18-19
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.
Proverbs 19:17
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
James 2:15-16
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
2 Corinthians 9:2
For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
1 Corinthians 7:25
Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
1 Corinthians 7:40
But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 16:2
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Philippians 4:17
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
2 Corinthians 8:8
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
2 Corinthians 12:1
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
John 11:50
Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

I give.
1Co 7:25,40
expedient.
12:1; Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42; Joh 11:50; 16:7; 18:14; 1Co 6:12; 10:23
Php 4:17; 1Ti 6:18,19; Heb 13:16; Jas 2:15,16
to be.
8; 9:2
forward. Gr. willing.
3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2 Corinthians 8:10
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
2 Corinthians 8:11
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.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:10 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y en esto doy mi consejo; porque esto os conviene á vosotros, que comenzasteis antes, no sólo á hacerlo, mas aun á quererlo desde el año pasado.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et en cela je vous donne un avis, car cela vous est profitable, à vous qui avez déjà commencé dès l’année passée, non seulement de faire, mais aussi de vouloir.
German Elberfelder 1871	Und ich gebe hierin eine Meinung; denn dies ist euch nützlich, die ihr nicht allein das Tun, sondern auch das Wollen vorher angefangen habt seit vorigem Jahre.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et consilium in hoc do: hoc enim vobis utile est, qui non solum facere, sed et velle cœpistis ab anno priore: