2 Corinthians 8:10

THE MESSAGE

So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can't. The heart regulates the hands. This isn't so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you're shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even. As it is written, Nothing left over to the one with the most, Nothing lacking to the one with the least. I thank God for giving Titus the same devoted concern for you that I have. He was most considerate of how we felt, but his eagerness to go to you and help out with this relief offering is his own idea. We're sending a companion along with him, someone very popular in the churches for his preaching of the Message. But there's far more to him than popularity. He's rock-solid trustworthy. The churches handpicked him to go with us as we travel about doing this work of sharing God's gifts to honor God as well as we can, taking every precaution against scandal. We don't want anyone suspecting us of taking one penny of this money for ourselves. We're being as careful in our reputation with the public as in our reputation with God. That's why we're sending another trusted friend along. He's proved his dependability many times over, and carries on as energetically as the day he started. He's heard much about you, and liked what he's heard—so much so that he can't wait to get there. I don't need to say anything further about Titus. We've been close associates in this work of serving you for a long time. The brothers who travel with him are delegates from churches, a real credit to Christ. Show them what you're made of, the love I've been talking up in the churches. Let them see it for themselves!

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.

Legacy Standard Bible
And I give my opinion in this matter, for this is profitable for you, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Here's what I think, y'all need to finish what you started last year. Y'all were the first to talk about taking up an offering.

Bible in Basic English
And in this I give my opinion: for it is to your profit, who were the first to make a start a year before, not only to do this, but to make clear that your minds were more than ready to do it.

Darby Translation
And 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.

Christian Standard Bible®
Now I am giving an opinion on this because it is profitable for you, who a year ago began not only to do something but also to desire it.

World English Bible
I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun a year ago, not only to do, but also to do it willingly.

Weymouth's New Testament
But in this matter I give you an opinion; for my doing this helps forward your own intentions, seeing that not only have you begun operations, but a year ago you already had the desire to do so.

King James Version (1611)
And herein I giue my aduice, for this is expedient for you, who haue begun before, not onely to doe, but also to be forward a yeere agoe.

Literal Translation
And I give judgment in this, for this is profitable for you, who began before not only to do, but also to be willing from last year.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And my councell herin I geue, for this is profitable for you, which haue begonne a yeare a goo,not onely to do, but also to wyll.

Mace New Testament (1729)
in this I only advise you: it being for your credit, since you have not only begun to execute it, but you were the first that form'd the design a year ago.

Amplified Bible
I give you my opinion in this matter: this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to take action [to help the believers in Jerusalem], but also [the first] to desire to do it.

American Standard Version
And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.

Revised Standard Version
And in this matter I give my advice: it is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire,

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And I geve counsell hereto. For this is expedient for you which beganne not to do only: but also to will a yeare a goo.

Update Bible Version
And in this I give [my] judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.

Webster's Bible Translation
And in this I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

Young's Literal Translation
and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you [is] expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before -- a year ago,

New Century Version
This is what I think you should do: Last year you were the first to want to give, and you were the first who gave.

New English Translation
So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,

Berean Standard Bible
And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.

Contemporary English Version
A year ago you were the first ones to give, and you gave because you wanted to. So listen to my advice.

Complete Jewish Bible
As I say, in regard to this matter I am only giving an opinion. A year ago you were not only the first to take action but the first to want to do so. Now it would be to your advantage

English Standard Version
And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And I shewe my minde herein: for this is expedient for you, which haue begun not to doe onely, but also to will, a yeare agoe.

George Lamsa Translation
Herein I give you my advice: that it may help you to go forward and accomplish what you, of your own accord, began to do last year.

Hebrew Names Version
I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

International Standard Version
I am giving you my opinion on this matter because it will be helpful to you. Last year you were not only willing to do something, but had already started to do it.Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 10:42; 1 Corinthians 7:25; 2 Corinthians 9:2; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; Hebrews 13:16;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
But counselling I counsel you this which helpeth you; because from the last year you began not to will only, but also to do.

Murdock Translation
And I urgently recommend to you, that which is for your advantage; inasmuch as ye began, a year ago, not only to purpose, but also to perform.

New King James Version
And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;

New Living Translation
Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.

New Life Bible
This is what I think. You had better finish what you started a year ago. You were the first to want to give a gift of money.

English Revised Version
And herein I give [my] judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.

New Revised Standard
And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something—

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, a judgment, herein, do I give, - for, this, unto you, is profitable, - who, indeed, not only of the doing, but of the desiring, made for yourselves a beginning a year ago; -

Douay-Rheims Bible
And herein I give my advice: for this is profitable for you who have begun not only to do but also to be willing, a year ago.

King James Version
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

Lexham English Bible
And I am giving an opinion in this matter, because this is profitable for you who not only began previously, a year ago, to do something, but also to want to do it.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And I geue councell hereto: For this is expedient for you, which haue begun not to do only, but also to wil a yere ago.

Easy-to-Read Version
This is what I think you should do: Last year you were the first to want to give, and you were the first who gave.

New American Standard Bible
I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.

Good News Translation
My opinion is that it is better for you to finish now what you began last year. You were the first, not only to act, but also to be willing to act.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Y yyue counsel in this thing; for this is profitable to you, that not oneli han bigunne to do, but also ye bigunnen to haue wille fro the formere yere.

Contextual Overview

⁸I'm not trying to order you around against your will. But by bringing in the Macedonians' enthusiasm as a stimulus to your love, I am hoping to bring the best out of you. You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich. ¹⁰So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can't. The heart regulates the hands. This isn't so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you're shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even. As it is written, Nothing left over to the one with the most, Nothing lacking to the one with the least. I thank God for giving Titus the same devoted concern for you that I have. He was most considerate of how we felt, but his eagerness to go to you and help out with this relief offering is his own idea. We're sending a companion along with him, someone very popular in the churches for his preaching of the Message. But there's far more to him than popularity. He's rock-solid trustworthy. The churches handpicked him to go with us as we travel about doing this work of sharing God's gifts to honor God as well as we can, taking every precaution against scandal. We don't want anyone suspecting us of taking one penny of this money for ourselves. We're being as careful in our reputation with the public as in our reputation with God. That's why we're sending another trusted friend along. He's proved his dependability many times over, and carries on as energetically as the day he started. He's heard much about you, and liked what he's heard—so much so that he can't wait to get there. I don't need to say anything further about Titus. We've been close associates in this work of serving you for a long time. The brothers who travel with him are delegates from churches, a real credit to Christ. Show them what you're made of, the love I've been talking up in the churches. Let them see it for themselves!

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I give: 1 Corinthians 7:25, 1 Corinthians 7:40

expedient: 2 Corinthians 12:1, Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 10:42, John 11:50, John 16:7, John 18:14, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 10:23, Philippians 4:17, 1 Timothy 6:18, 1 Timothy 6:19, Hebrews 13:16, James 2:15, James 2:16

to be: 2 Corinthians 8:8, 2 Corinthians 9:2

forward: Gr. willing, 2 Corinthians 8:3

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 16:10 - according 2 Corinthians 8:17 - but

Cross-References

Genesis 8:12
He waited another seven days and sent the dove out a third time. This time it didn't come back.

Psalms 40:1
A David Psalm I waited and waited and waited for God . At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God .

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And herein I give my advice,.... As Daniel did to Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 4:27. The apostle did not choose to make use of his apostolical authority, or give orders, as he sometimes did in such cases; he did not think fit to speak by way of commandment, obliging them to what they ought to do willingly; looking upon this the most prudential step, and wisest method he could take in order to succeed, only to give his judgment in this matter, as what would be best for them, and most conducive to their real good:

for this is expedient for you; most versions read it, "profitable"; doing acts of beneficence is profitable to persons, as to things temporal, God usually blessing such with a greater affluence of the things of life, and which indeed is often promised; and is also profitable with respect to things spiritual, for if God does not make it up to them in temporal enjoyments, yet with his presence, the discoveries of his love, the joys of his salvation, and an increase of every grace; so Gaius, that hospitable man to the apostle, and all Christian strangers, was in much spiritual health, and a prosperous condition in his soul, when but in an ill state with respect to his body: yea, such a conduct is profitable in relation to things eternal; for as it springs from the grace of God, and men are assisted therein by it, and is exercised towards persons that have received it, it will be rewarded with a reward of grace; though it may be, the apostle here does not so much argue from the utility, as the decency of it in the Corinthians;

who, says he,

have began before, a year ago, not only to do, but also to be forward, or "willing": it is hard to say whether the apostle designs to commend or reprove them; and indeed, it seems as if there was a mixture of praise and dispraise in this passage; it was in their favour that they had begun before, even a year ago, and were willing and forward of themselves to this good work; yea, were the first that set it on foot, and so were an example to the Macedonian churches, and others; but then this was against them, that the other churches, which began later than they, had finished before them; whether this their charity was obstructed, as some have thought, through some affliction and persecution that befell them, which if it appeared would much excuse them; or rather it was neglected through lukewarmness and indolence; wherefore the apostle gives his sentiments, that to save their own credit, it was expedient for them to finish what they had begun; for otherwise, as their boasting of them would be in vain, so they would expose themselves to contempt and incur disgrace; and it was not only proper that they should do this, but do it willingly, and with much cheerfulness, for that is meant by being "forward" or "willing"; that they not only do it, but do it with a good will, which they at first discovered.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And herein I give my advice - Not undertaking to command them, or to prescribe how much they should give. Advice will go much further than commands on the subject of charities.

For this is expedient for you - (συμφέρει sumpherei). That is, this will be of advantage to you; it will be profitable; it will be becoming. The idea is, that they were bound by a regard to consistency and to their own welfare, to perform what they had purposed. It became them; it was proper, and was demanded; and there would have been manifest disadvantages if it had not been done.

Who have begun before - Who commenced the collection a year before; see 2 Corinthians 8:6. It had been commenced with fair prospects of success, but had been interrupted probably by the dissensions which arose in the church there.

Not only to do - Not merely to accomplish it as if by constraint, or as a matter of compulsion and drudgery.

But also to be forward - Margin, “Willing.” So the Greek τὸ θέλειν to thelein. They were voluntary in this, and they set about it with vigorous and determined zeal and courage. There was a resolute determination in the thing, and a willingness and heartiness in it which showed that they were actuated by Christian principle. Consistency, and their own reputation and advantage, now demanded that they should complete what they had begun.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 8:10. Herein I give my advice — For I speak not by way of commandment, 2 Corinthians 8:8.

For this is expedient for you — It is necessary you should do this to preserve a consistency of conduct; for ye began this work a year ago, and it is necessary that ye should complete it as soon as possible.

Not only to do, but also to be forward — το ποιησαι και το θελειν, literally, to do and to will; but as the will must be before the deed, θελειν, must be taken here in the sense of delight, as it frequently means in the Old and New Testaments. See several examples in Whitby.

Some MSS. transpose the words: allowing this, there is no difficulty.

A year ago. — απο περυσι. It was about a year before this that the apostle, in his first epistle, 1 Corinthians 16:2, had exhorted them to make this contribution and there is no doubt that they, in obedience to his directions, had begun to lay up in store for this charitable purpose; he therefore wishes them to complete this good work, and thus show that they were not led to it by the example of the Macedonians, seeing they themselves had been first movers in this business.