For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily,
Parallel translations
- WEB For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
- KJV For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
- BSB For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,
- NKJV For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
- NLT For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
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.
Quick answer
The Macedonians gave according to their means and even beyond, entirely of their own free will. Their generosity was sacrificial and voluntary.
Overview
Paul testifies that the Macedonians gave as much as they could and more, without being pressured. Their giving was self-motivated, springing from willing hearts rather than compulsion. This sets a standard of cheerful, sacrificial generosity for the Corinthians to imitate.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 22
- Exod 35:5‘Take from among you an offering to Yahweh. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, Yahweh’s offering: gold, silver, brass,
- Exod 35:29The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to Yahweh; every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Yahweh had commanded to be made by Moses.
- Exod 35:21–22They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s offering, for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments.
- 2 Cor 9:6–7Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
- Phlm 1:14But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.
- 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 Chr 29:9Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh; and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
- 1 Cor 9:17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.
- Acts 11:29As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;
- 1 Chr 29:5–6of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be made by the hands of artisans. Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself today to Yahweh?”
- Phil 2:13For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
- 1 Chr 29:13–17Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name.
- 2 Cor 8:11–12But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
- 2 Cor 8:16–17But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
- 1 Th 2:8Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.
- Col 4:13For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.
- Ps 110:3Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
- 1 Pet 4:11If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
- Gal 4:15What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
- 1 Pet 5:2Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;
- Rom 10:2For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
- Mark 14:8She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
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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 8:3 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
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