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.
Parallel translations
- KJV 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.
- BSB 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.
- NKJV 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;
- NASB 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.
- NLT 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Heb 13:16But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- 1 Tim 6:18–19that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
- Prov 19:17He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
- 2 Cor 9:2for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
- Jas 2:15–16And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,
- 1 Cor 7:25Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.
- 1 Cor 16:2On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
- 1 Cor 7:40But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God’s Spirit.
- Phil 4:17Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
- 2 Cor 8:8I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
- 2 Cor 12:1It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
- Matt 10:42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward.”
- John 11:50nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.”
- 1 Cor 6:12“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the power of anything.
- 1 Cor 10:23“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up.
- John 16:7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
- John 18:14Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 8:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.