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

10Now I give my opinion in this matter, that it is a credit to you that a year ago you were the first to start—not only to do but even to be willing. 11But now finish doing it, so that just as there was eagerness to be willing, so also to finish it, out of what you have. For if the eagerness is present, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he doesn’t have. 13For it is not relief for others and hardship for you, but as a matter of equality. 14Your abundance at this present time meets their need, so that their abundance may also meet your need—so that there may 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

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 9:7Let each one give as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion—for God loves a cheerful giver.
• Exodus 25:2“Tell Bnei-Yisrael to take up an offering for Me. From anyone whose heart compels him you are to take My offering.
• Exodus 35:5Take from among you an offering for Adonai. Whoever has a willing heart, let him bring Adonai’s offering: gold, silver and bronze;
• 1 Chronicles 29:3Moreover, in my devotion to the House of my God, I have given over my private treasure of gold and silver to the House of my God, in addition to all that I have already supplied for the holy House:
• 2 Chronicles 6:8But Adonai said to David my father: ‘As for you wanting in your heart to build a House for My Name, you did well that this was in your heart.
• Proverbs 19:22What is desired in a man is loyalty, and a poor person is better than a liar.
• Mark 12:42Then a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth less than a penny.
• Mark 14:7For you always have the poor with you, and you can do good for them whenever you want; but you won’t always have Me.
• Luke 7:44Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you didn’t give Me water for My feet. But she has drenched My feet with tears and wiped them with her hair.
• Luke 12:47“That slave who knew his master’s will but did not prepare or act according to his desire will be harshly whipped.
• Luke 16:10“One who is faithful in the smallest matters is also faithful in much, and the one unjust in the smallest matters will likewise be unjust in much.
• Luke 21:1Then Yeshua looked up and saw the rich dropping their gifts into the treasury box.
• 1 Peter 4:10As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of the many-sided 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