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 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. 11But now also complete the doing of it; so that as [there was] the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have. For if the readiness be there, [a man is] accepted according to what he may have, not according to what he has not. 13For [it is] not in order that there may be ease for others, and for you distress, 14but [on the principle] of equality; in the present time your abundance for their lack, that their abundance may be for your lack, so that there should 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

• readinessπροθυμίαprothumia · eagernessG4288

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:12

• 2 Corinthians 9:7each according as he is purposed in his heart; not grievingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
• Exodus 25:2Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me a heave-offering: of every one whose heart prompteth him, ye shall take my heave-offering.
• Exodus 35:5Take from among you a heave-offering to Jehovah: every one whose heart [is] willing, let him bring it, Jehovah's heave-offering — gold, and silver, and copper,
• 1 Chronicles 29:3And moreover, in my affection for the house of my God I have given of my own property of gold and silver, for the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the house of the sanctuary:
• 2 Chronicles 6:8But Jehovah said to David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart;
• Proverbs 19:22The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor [man] is better than a liar.
• Mark 12:42And a poor widow came and cast in two mites, which is a farthing.
• Mark 14:7for ye have the poor always with you, and whenever ye would ye can do them good; but me ye have not always.
• Luke 7:44And turning to the woman he said to Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house; thou gavest me not water on my feet, but she has washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with her hair.
• Luke 12:47But that bondman who knew his own lord's will, and had not prepared [himself] nor done his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes];
• Luke 16:10He that is faithful in the least is faithful also in much; and he that is unrighteous in the least is unrighteous also in much.
• Luke 21:1And he looked up and saw the rich casting their gifts into the treasury;
• 1 Peter 4:10each according as he has received a gift, ministering it to one another, as good stewards of [the] various grace of God.

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