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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

Context of 2 Corinthians 8:12

10And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,

2 Corinthians 8:12 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• there be firstπρόκειμαιprokeimai · to set beforeG4295
• a willing mindὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• a willing mindπροθυμίαprothumia · eagernessG4288
• acceptedεὐπρόσδεκτοςeuprosdektos · acceptableG2144
• according to thatκαθόkatho · insofar asG2526
• a manτιςtis · oneG5100
• hathἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• ·ἐάνean · ifG1437
• notοὐou · noG3756

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:12

• 2 Corinthians 9:7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
• Exodus 25:2“Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.
• Exodus 35:5From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze;
• 1 Chronicles 29:3Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple:
• 2 Chronicles 6:8But the Lord said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name.
• Proverbs 19:22What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
• Mark 12:42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
• Mark 14:7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.
• Luke 7:44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
• Luke 12:47“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.
• Luke 16:10“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
• Luke 21:1As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.
• 1 Peter 4:10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

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