2 Corinthians 8:3

Contextual Overview

¹ And now, brothers and sisters, we want to tell you what God's grace has done in the churches in Macedonia. ¹ We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedo'nia, ¹ I do you to wit brethren of the grace of god which is geven in the congregacions of Macedonia ¹ Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia; ¹ Now, brothers and sisters, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, ¹ And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace God gave the churches in Macedonia. ¹ Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia; ¹ Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; ¹ We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, ¹ Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

to: 2 Corinthians 9:6, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Mark 14:8, Acts 11:29, 1 Corinthians 16:2, 1 Peter 4:11

I bear: Romans 10:2, Galatians 4:15, Colossians 4:13

beyond: 2 Corinthians 8:12, 2 Corinthians 8:16, 2 Corinthians 8:17, Exodus 35:5, Exodus 35:21, Exodus 35:22, Exodus 35:29, 1 Chronicles 29:5, 1 Chronicles 29:6, 1 Chronicles 29:9, 1 Chronicles 29:13-17, Psalms 110:3, 1 Corinthians 9:17, Philippians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Philemon 1:14, 1 Peter 5:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 36:5 - General Judges 5:9 - offered 1 Chronicles 29:2 - with all 2 Chronicles 17:16 - willingly Ezra 2:68 - offered freely Proverbs 3:9 - General Proverbs 19:22 - desire Matthew 14:16 - they Mark 12:44 - cast in of Luke 3:11 - He that hath two Luke 21:3 - more Acts 20:26 - I take 2 Corinthians 8:10 - forward 2 Corinthians 9:11 - enriched

Cross-References

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

Genesis 7:11
When Noah was six hundred years old, the flood started. On the seventeenth day of the second month of that year the underground springs split open, and the clouds in the sky poured out rain.

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month—on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep were burst open, and the sky's windows were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month, on that same day all the fountains of the great deep [subterranean waters] burst open, and the windows and floodgates of the heavens were opened.

Genesis 7:11
In the sixe hundrid yeer of the lijf of Noe, in the secunde moneth, in the seuententhe dai of the moneth, alle the wellis of the greet see weren brokun, and the wyndowis of heuene weren opened,

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of the life of Noah, in the second month, in the seventeenth day of the month, in this day have been broken up all fountains of the great deep, and the net-work of the heavens hath been opened,

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For to [their] power, I bear record,.... They gave according to their ability, to the utmost of it, which is the most that can be desired, or be given; for no man can give more than he has, nor is he required to do more than he is able:

yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; not that they did or could do beyond their power; but they were "willing" beyond their power; their hearts were larger than their purses; they would gladly have done more than they had ability to do; and to this the apostle bears testimony to give it credit, which otherwise might have been called in question: and it is to be observed, that these churches communicated in this cheerful manner and large way, considering their circumstances, to the utmost of their ability, "of themselves"; unasked, not having been put upon, pressed, and urged to such a service; for persons to give when they are asked, especially when they do it readily, at once, without demurring upon it, and with cheerfulness, is much; but to give unasked discovers a very generous and beneficent disposition: this is reckoned by the Jews as one of the excellencies in giving of alms u,

"when a man gives into the hands of another קודם שישאל, "before he asks"; and the next degree to this is, when he gives to him after he asks; and the next to this, who gives less than is proper, but with a cheerful countenance.''

u Maimon. Hileh. Mattanot Anayim, c. 10. sect. 11, 12, 13.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For to their power - To the utmost of their ability.

I bear record - Paul had founded those churches and had spent much time with them. He was therefore well qualified to bear testimony in regard to their condition.

Yea, and beyond their power - Beyond what could have been expected; or beyond what it would have been thought possible in their condition. Doddridge remarks that this is a noble hyperbole, similar to that used by Demosthenes when he says, “I have performed all, even with an industry beyond my power.” The sense is, they were willing to give more than they were well able. It shows the strong interest which they had in the subject, and the anxious desire which they had to relieve the needs of others.

Of themselves - (αὐθαίρεται authairetai). Acting from choice, self-moved, voluntarily, of their own accord. They did not wait to be urged and pressed to do it. They rejoiced in the opportunity of doing it. They came forward of their own accord and made the contribution. “God loveth a cheerful giver” 2 Corinthians 9:7; and from all the accounts which we have of these churches in Macedonia it is evident that they were greatly distinguished for their cheerful liberality.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 8:3. For to their power, c.] In their liberality they had no rule but their ability they believed they were bound to contribute all they could; and even this rule they transgressed, for they went beyond their power-they deprived themselves for a time of the necessaries of life, in order to give to others who were destitute even of necessaries.