2 Corinthians 8:3

Contextual Overview

¹And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ¹ And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ¹ Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, ¹Now brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, ¹Now listen to this, cowboys. Y'all ain't going to believe what God has done for all the outfits in Macedonia. ¹ And now we give you news, brothers, about the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia; ¹ But we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia; ¹ We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to 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; ¹ Moreover, brethren, we declare to you the grace of God, bestowed on the churches in 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, on the seventeenth day of the second month-on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.

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

Genesis 7:11
In the sixe hundreth yere of Noahs lyfe, in the seconde moneth, the seuenteene day of ye moneth, in the same day were all the fountaynes of the great deepe broken vp, and the wyndowes of heauen were opened.

Genesis 7:11
On the 17th day of the second month, when Noah was 600 years old, the springs under the earth broke through the ground, and water flowed out everywhere. The sky also opened like windows and rain poured down. The rain fell on the earth for 40 days and 40 nights. That same day Noah went into the boat with his wife, his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives.

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 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 sixe hundredth yeere of Noahs life, in the second moneth, the seuenteenth day of the moneth, the same day, were al the fountaines of the great deepe broken vp, and the windowes of heauen 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.

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.