2 Corinthians 8:12

2 Corinthians 8:12 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (NIV)For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
• New King James Version (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.

Context of 2 Corinthians 8:12

10And 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. 11Now finish the work, so that you may complete it with the same eager desire, according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality. 14At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. This way there will be equality.

2 Corinthians 8:12 word by word

εἰ γὰρ ἡ προθυμία πρόκειται, καθὸ ἐὰν ἔχῃ εὐπρόσδεκτος, οὐ καθὸ οὐκ ἔχει.Read the interlinear

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• eagernessπροθυμίαprothumia · eagernessG4288
• is thereπρόκειμαιprokeimai · to set beforeG4295
• is acceptableεὐπρόσδεκτοςeuprosdektos · acceptableG2144
• according toκαθόkatho · insofar asG2526
• whatἐάνean · ifG1437
• one hasἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• notοὐou · noG3756

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:12

• 2 Corinthians 9:7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
• Exodus 25:2“Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him.
• Exodus 35:5Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze;
• 1 Chronicles 29:3Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give for it my personal treasures of gold and silver, over and above all that I have provided for this holy temple:
• 2 Chronicles 6:8But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.
• Proverbs 19:22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
• Mark 12:42Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius.
• Mark 14:7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.
• Luke 7:44And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
• Luke 12:47That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
• Luke 16:10Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
• Luke 21:1Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
• 1 Peter 4:10As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12According to that a man hath - According to his real property; not taking that which belongs to his own family, and is indispensably necessary for their support; and not taking that which belongs to others; viz. what he owes to any man.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12For if there be first a willing mind - If there is a “readiness” ( ́ prothumia), a disposition to give; if the heart is in it, then the offering will be acceptable to God, whether you be able to give much or little. A willing mind is the first consideration. No donation, however large, can be acceptable where that does not exist; none, however small, can be otherwise than acceptable where that is found. This had relation as used by Paul to the duty of…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-15Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-15Paul now focuses on collecting funds for the Jerusalem church (8:4; 9:1). This relief fund aimed to help the poor believers in the holy city (Acts 11:27–30; Romans 15:25–27, 31; Galatians 2:10). Paul had previously given instructions about this matter (1 Corinthians 16:1–2). Now it was time to gather the funds (2 Corinthians 8:6). Paul hoped this gift from non-Jewish congregations to the Jewish church would strengthen ties between the two groups in the…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. For--Following up the rule "out of that which ye have" (2Co 8:11), and no more. a willing mind--rather, as Greek, "the readiness," namely, to will, referring to 2Co 8:11. accepted--Greek "favorably accepted." according to that a man hath--The oldest manuscripts omit "a man." Translate, "According to whatsoever it have"; the willing mind, or "readiness" to will, is personified [Alford]. Or better, as Bengel, "He is accepted according to whatsoever he…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 8:12

• Beneficence
• Giving
• Liberality

In the dictionaries

• Accept
• Accord
• Philippians, Epistle to
• Church
• Church Government
• Collection
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Grace
• Paul, the Apostle
• Poverty

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings