It seems from these verses that Titus was quite anxious to return to the Corinthian church and he did not fear the weighty matter of collecting the offering. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. That is beyond his … And now let me say a word before I close about how this universal and grave disease is to be coped with. B. Could I give so small a sum? διακονία is not used here in special reference to the collection for the Judæan Christians, as it was at 2 Corinthians 8:4, 2 Corinthians 9:1; 2 Corinthians 9:13, but in its most general sense; cf. 12:7). Third, we may suffer to teach us not to trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead (2 Cor. Did you ever try to cure some little habit, some mere trifle, a trick of manner or twist of the finger, or some attitude or tone that might be ugly and awkward, and that people told you that it would be better to get rid of? Yes, please put up with me! 1:8). Now I desire to say two or three very plain and simple things about this matter. It appears here that the return was actually the idea of Titus. Paul knew that the enemy of our soul uses every trick and deceit to veil the truth from those that are dead in their trespasses and sins but he also knew that the illuminating power of the indwelling Holy Spirit within our frail humanity, is a divine light that shines forth the wonderful works of … To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, A readiness to will, so there may be a performance -, that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also, readiness of will, so (there may) also (be) completion according to your means, The TEV brings out the emphatic NOW! 11. That being the case, do not we all need to ponder in our deepest hearts, and to pray for grace to make the motto of our lives, ‘As there was a readiness to will, let there be a performance’? Perform - `but now also complete the doing' (note, 2 Corinthians 8:10). The first epistle is both practical and instructional, but this one is intensely personal and autobiographical. Examples and encouragement. 1:8-11), and so that in our weakness we find God’s strength (2 Cor. They like to feel some sort of connection with Christ; they mean to return to an earnest Divine life. The tree of our life’s doings has to grow, like those contorted pines on the slopes of the Alps, in many storms, with heavy weights of snow on its branches, and beaten about by tempests from every quarter of the heavens; and so it gets gnarled and knotted and very unlike the symmetrical beauty that we dreamed would adorn it. Greek. 9 As it is written: The man who has trained himself day in and day out, in regard to the insignificances of daily life, to let act follow resolve as the thunder peal succeeds the lightning flash, is the man who, if he is moved to make a great resolve about his religion, or about his conduct, will be most likely to carry it out. Let us take care of that seducing temptation which is apt to lead us all to plume ourselves on good resolutions, and to fancy that they are almost equivalent to their own fulfilment. The carnal behaviour of some, and the bitter wrangling of others, … The quick response which an easily-moved nature may make to some appeal of noble thought or lofty principle is mistaken for action, and we are tempted to think that willing is almost as good as if we had done what we half resolved on. When he adds — from what you have, he anticipates an objection; for the flesh is always ingenious in finding out subterfuges. There are a great many who are always ready to do good, but somehow their good never gets done. 2 Corinthians 8:11. What different men we should be if our resolutions had fruited in conduct! Several features distinguish the second canonical letter. (Mark 12:44.) For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble The apostle was very desirous that the Corinthians might be thoroughly acquainted with the trouble that had lately befallen them; partly because it would clearly appear from hence what reason he had to give thanks to God as he had done; and partly, that they might be encouraged to trust in God, when in the utmost extremity; but … The Apostle saw his thorn in the flesh as an instrument allowed by the Lord to maintain a spirit of humility and dependence on the Lord because of the special revelations he had … not merely the willing, but also the doing, οὕτω καὶ τὸ ἐπιτελέσαι, but now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be also the completion in accordance with your ability, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Nothing so certainly weakens a man as a multitude of resolves that he knows he has never fulfilled. A feeble will, enslaved too often by passions and flesh and habits, and all about us lie obstacles to our carrying into action our conscientious convictions, our deepest resolutions; obstacles to our being true to our true selves; to which obstacles, alas, far too many of us habitually, and all of us occasionally, succumb. 2 Corinthians 8:11-14. Weak and miserable is always the man who is swift to resolve and slow to carry out his resolutions. thelo, as 2 Corinthians 8:10. The word (μεταμέλομαι metamelomai) denotes properly to change one‘s purpose or mind after having done … 11.Now what ye have begun to do. KJ21. Perseverance in Suffering - remember what God does for you - (1:4, 8-11) 3.1 He permits the trials to come. New International Version. But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability—‘according to your means.’. And if thus, knowing our weakness, recognising our danger, humbly trying to cultivate the habit of prompt discharge of all discerned duty, we leave ourselves in Jesus Christ’s hands, and wait, and ask, and believe that we possess, His cleansing Spirit, then we shall not ask and wait in vain. John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible, Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture, Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. Paul wants not the readiness but the money. But it is not only in regard to that most important of all resolves that I wish to say a word. I know that is so about you, because I know that it is so about myself. Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. ... 2 Corinthians 7:10(NASB) Verse Thoughts. (11) Now therefore perform the doing.—Better, complete the doing: to “perform the doing” being open, in the modern use of the word, to the charge of tautology. the answer is, no; but "out of that which you have", something of it, according as you are able; should the poorer sort say, we are in mean circumstances, we have families to provide for, and can spare little, and what we can do is so trifling, that it is not worth giving or accepting; the reply is, give "out of that which you have", be it less or more; it follows. A previous epistle was written prior to First and Second Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11. Consider that the fault here warned against is a universal one. But there is a wide gap, as our experience witnesses, between the two things. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. The Revised Version reads: ‘But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.’ A collection of money for the almost pauper church at Jerusalem bulked very largely in the Apostle’s mind at the date of the writing of the two letters to the Corinthian church. Now therefore perform the doing of it, that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. And then may I say, let us be rather slower to resolve than we often are. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. In summary, the two Corinthian epistles are filled with rich spiritual and doctrinal truths and also with stern rebuke against sin and heresy, and also as abundant instruction for practical Christian living. 2 Corinthians 12:8-11. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 New International Version (NIV) 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. What are arrayed against it? 8:14). Performance - `completion.' These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. vi. To get what 2 Corinthians 8:11 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. Fourth, we may suffer to keep down pride (2 Cor. for it is God that worketh in you, both the willing and the doing.’. . Out of that which ye have - According to your ability; see 2 Corinthians 8:12. I dare say that there are men or women listening to me now, perhaps with grey hairs upon them, who can remember times, in the springtide of their youth, when they said, ‘I will give my heart to Jesus Christ, and set my faith upon Him’; and they have not done it yet. (2 Corinthians 9:7) "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:6) "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." ‘Better is it that thou shouldest not vow than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.’ The man who has never had the determination to give up some criminal indulgence--say, drink--is possibly less criminal, and certainly less weak, than the man who, when his head aches, and the consequences of his self-indulgence are vividly realised by him, makes up his mind to be a teetotaller, and soon stumbles into the first dram-shop that is open, and then reels out a drunkard. The believers were in need, and the Corinthian church was … Samaritan Pentateuch word as "finish", 2 Corinthians 8:6. readiness. Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21) The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. We begin with saying: ‘Come! 1. It may mean all the circumstances of his low estate and humble condition; ... 2 Corinthians 8:16-17. 1. The man who formerly saw no beauty in … The Apostle, however, as though no fault had as yet been committed, gently admonishes them to complete, what had been well begun. But here he speaks of his thorn in the flesh, as above all the rest one that macerated him with weakness, and by the pain and ignominy of it, prevented his being lifted up more, or at least not less, than the most vehement headache could have done, which many of the … 2 Corinthians 1 – The God of All Comfort A. Paul’s trouble in Asia. We have tried to cure--we have determined that we will cure--manifest and flagrant defects or faults in our Christian life. You know how hard it is. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant — As if he had said, We speak thus concerning the sufferings wherewith God is pleased to exercise his people, because we have lately experienced them in a large measure: of our trouble which came to us in Asia — It is probable that the apostle here refers either to some opposition which he met with in his journey through Galatia and … оваться этими деньгами для своих целей (ср. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. Performance. ... he is changed in his character and conduct. He asked, and he triumphantly answered, the question, ‘Who shall deliver me?’ with the great words, ‘I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ There is the secret; keep near Him, trust Him, open your hearts to the influences of that Divine Spirit who makes us free from the law of sin and death. "For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the … The Apostle did not content himself, in the passage already referred to, with bewailing the wretchedness of the condition in which to will was present, but how to perform he found not. ), and was in want (a condition which he recalls again, Php 4:12), I was not a burden … Some plead that they have families, which it were inhuman to neglect; others, on the ground that they cannot give much, make use of this as a pretext for entire exemption. What Does 2 Corinthians 7:10 Mean? Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.. a. Paul’s so called second letter to the Corinthians is actually the fourth letter that he wrote to Corinth. I. I would have you consider the necessity of this commandment. And mark, further, how miserable and debilitating it is to carry the dead weight of such unaccomplished intentions. 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. Consider the importance of this counsel. Even though the first letter to the Corinthians reveals enormous struggles in the church, including: division and discord (1-4), sexual immorality of a kind that doesn’t even occur among the pagans (5), lawsuits among each other (6), ... 2. Finish it up!!!”. Let not the performance merge into a mere readiness to will. 2 Corinthians 8 – Encouragement and Examples in Giving A. But then there is something a great deal more than that to be said. They weaken his will, burden his conscience, stand in the way of his hopes, make him feel as if the entail of evil was too firm and strong to be ever broken. 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. 2 Corinthians 8:11-14 NLT. There had been already a doing flowing from willing, in their laying by in store as God prospered them each first day of the week: that doing needed now to be completed by their paying in their charity. Let us build a tower whose top shall reach to heaven’; and we are contented at last, if we have put up some little tumble-down shed where we can get shelter for our heads from the blast. Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 ← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources "WHEN YOU'VE HIT THE WALL" ... but his friends were forcibly restraining him from entering for they knew that it would mean his death. He refers to being pressed out of measure. And there is a kind of glow of satisfaction that comes when such a man thinks, ‘I have done well in that I have determined.’ The Devil will let you resolve as much as you like--the more the better; only the more easily you resolve, the more certainly he will block the realisation. (2) Setting about the work of giving; this Titus had reported, (3) Completing the work; this he now urged upon them, so that it might answer to the beginning. 2 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 4. part iii. Well, I should say to begin with, let us take very soberly and continually into our consciousness the recognition of the fact that the disease is there. I. I would have you consider the necessity of this commandment. ‘The children have come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring them forth.’ That is true about all of us, more or less, and it is very solemnly true of a great many of us professing Christians. All the English versions, however, have “perform.” The three stages are distinctly marked out in St. Paul’s mind:—(1) Willing the purpose to give; in this they had shown readiness. 2 Corinthians 11:8. or "for your ministry"; either to supply their poor, or rather to support the ministry of the Gospel among them. In all regions of life that is true, but most emphatically is it true in regard to religion. The TEV brings out the emphatic NOW! 2 Corinthians 1:8. ... 8-11), and this in itself is often an evidence of revival. AMP. out of your ability. Greek. Get the magical influence of habit on your side, and you will have done much to conquer the evil of abortive resolutions. That is borne in upon mind and conscience by looking at the disastrous effects of letting resolutions remain sterile. All excuses of this nature Paul removes, when he commands every one to contribute according to the measure of his ability. a readiness to will—Greek, "the readiness of will"; referring to 2Co 8:10, where the Greek for "to be forward," ought to be translated as here, "to will.". prothumia. that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also; in some cases there is neither power nor will to do good; in others there is will, when there is not a power; but in this case of beneficence to the poor saints, as there was a willingness declared, there was an ability in the Corinthians to perform; they had it in the power of their hands, more or less, to act: and the apostle in the last clause of this verse points out the rule and measure of their liberality. And that mercy which has helped us out, and helped us on, hitherto, we may rely upon to help us even to the end. (1-2) Introduction. 2 Corinthians 8:11, NIV: "Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means." section 9. For the disposition is not estimated according to what you have not, that is, God does by no means require of thee, that thou coldest contribute more than thy resources allow.” In this way none are excused; for the rich, on the one hand, owe to God a larger offering, and the poor, on the other hand, ought not to be ashamed of their slender resources. Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 (Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-7) The best of men would faint, if they did not receive mercy from God. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are … See Acts 17:11. will. (2 Corinthians 9:15) End Notes Promises in relation to the kingdom of heaven. Resolutions, noble and good and Christlike, have a strange knack of cheating the people who make them. “You volunteered and made a beginning of it. 12:8-10). Cheques are all very well if there be bullion in the bank cellars to pay them with when they fall due, but if that be not so, then the issuing of them is crime and fraud. The most frequently used word is thlipsis, which means “narrow, confined, under pressure,” and in this letter is translated ‘trouble’ (2 Cor. Remember that it is a solemn act to determine anything, especially anything bearing on moral and religious life; and that you had far better keep your will in suspense than spring to the resolution with thoughtless levity and leave it with the same. On with it, then! 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly … We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. It is probable, that the ardor of the Corinthians had quickly cooled down: otherwise they would, without any delay, have prosecuted their purpose. This is Paul’s proof that God works through weak people like him. And that was what Paul thought the man did who loaded his own shoulders with abortive resolutions, that perished in the birth, and never grew up to maturity. We have resolved, and some nipping frost has come, and the blossoms have dropped on the grass before they have ever set into fruit. Consider how apt we are to deceive ourselves with unfulfilled purposes. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 8:11. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will … “Now therefore perform the doing of it;that as there wasa readiness to will, so there may bea performance also out of that which ye have.” Hardships in Asia (1:8-11) 1:8 With the use of a common formula in Pauline writing, the apostle says for we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters. III. 2 Corinthians 8:11. . . Then, again, let me remind you how this injunction is borne in upon us by the consideration of the strength of the opposition with which we have always to contend, in every honest attempt to bring to act our best resolutions. Author: 2 Corinthians 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of 2 Corinthians as the apostle Paul, possibly along with Timothy. He stayed one and a half years, accomplishing much for the … to do good, but somehow their good never gets done. He adds, also, the reason: that God looks to the heart — not to what is given, for when he says, that readiness of mind is acceptable to God, according to the individual’s ability, his meaning is this — “If from slender resources you present some small sum, your disposition is not less esteemed in the sight of God, than in the case of a rich man’s giving a large sum from his abundance. III. Date of Writing: The Book of 2 Corinthians was very likely written approximately A.D. 55-57. “You volunteered and made a beginning of it. There are ten basic words for suffering in the Greek language, and Paul used five of them in this letter. The apostles had no base and wicked designs, covered with fair and specious pretences. Further, the habit of promptly carrying out our resolves is one that, like all other habits, can be cultivated. The damning tragedy of many lives, and I dare say of those of some of my hearers, is that men have over and over again determined that they would be Christians, and they are not Christians yet; just because they have let ‘the native hue of resolution be sicklied over’ by some paleness or other, and so have resolved and resolved and resolved till every nerve of action is rotted away, and they will die unchristian. 2 Corinthians 7:8 - For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— on StudyLight.org ... Campbell, diss. The text is in effect the message which Titus was to carry; but it has a far wider application than that. See the meaning of the word further illustrated in the same dissertation. . (1-5) The example of the Macedonian Christians. Render, according to your ability; better than Rev. 2 Timothy 4:11, Hebrews 1:14.— καὶ παρὼν κ. τ. λ.: and when I was present with you, i.e., during his first visit to Corinth (see Acts 18:1 ff. Note, too, how rapidly the habit of substituting lightly-made resolutions for seriously-endeavoured acts grows. We learn that that church had been the first to agree to the project, and then had very distinctly hung back from implementing its promises and fulfilling its good intentions. But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. We all start, in our early days, with the notion that our lives are going to be radiant and beautiful, and all unlike what the limitations of power and the antagonisms that we have to meet make of them at last. Meyer justly remarks that it would be an indelicate compliment to the inclination of the readers, that it had originated from their possession. : but now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be also the completion in accordance with your ability: = of 2 Corinthians 8:12 = pro facultatibus (cf.John 3:34, ), and not, as A.V., “out of that which ye have”. It is not that the Judean churches should experience relief to the detriment of the Gentile churches, but rather that there should be an appropriate balance between them. out of that which you have; according to your abilities, and as God has prospered you; and with which he shuts up the mouths of all objectors, rich and poor: should the rich say, would you have us give away all we have? And now let me say a word before I close about how this universal and grave disease is to be coped with. Verse 11 They had promised to do a certain work and Paul was pleading with them to keep that promise. We begin with grand purposes, and we end with very poor results. There is always a tremendous gulf between the ideal and its realisation in life. II. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11. Now, therefore, ‘as there was a readiness to will, let there be also the performance.’. So the Apostle, in the chapter from which my text is taken, with wonderful delicacy, dignity, and profundity, sets forth the true principle, not only of Christian giving, but of Christian asking. Formatting issue in the NIV '84 edition has been resolved. So we all need the exhortation not to be befooled by fancying that we have done, when we have only willed. ... Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. It is a needful advice for us all about a great many other things: ‘As there was a readiness to will, so let there be a performance also.’. Do not vow until you have made up your minds to pay. We do not mean that Paul was a weak person; clearly he was strong both in his mind and body. All Christians, I am sure, know what it is, over and over again, to have had stirrings in their hearts which they have been able to consolidate into determination, but have not been able to carry into act. 1 I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. 2 Corinthians 8:11. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice — All kinds of affliction had befallen the apostle, yet none of these did he deprecate. Consider:— I. The godly should show the same zeal to finish as to begin well which the worldly exhibit in their undertakings (Jeremiah 44:25). What radiant delight filled the heart of the apostle Paul as he joyfully proclaimed the good tidings of the gospel of Christ Jesus. Of course we shall not do unless we will. Purpose of Writing: The church in Corinth began in AD 52 when Paul visited there on his second missionary journey. 1. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the underlying principle behind the collection. As long as we are moving _in vacuo_ we move without any friction or difficulty; but as soon as we come out into a world where there are an atmosphere and opposing forces, then friction comes in, and speed diminishes; and we never become what we aim to be. We all know what place it is to which, according to the old proverb, the road is paved with good intentions; and the only way to pull up that paving is to take Paul’s advice here and always, and immediately to put into action the resolves of our hearts. It should be in proportion to your means. Our resolutions, made and forgotten as so many of our good resolutions are, are very little better. 2 Corinthians chapter 11. 1:4), ‘hardships’ (2 Cor. 3. “It is a question of a fair balance between your present abun­dance and their need” (2 Cor. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. Finish it up!!!”. a. performance—"completion" [Alford], The godly should show the same zeal to finish, as well as to begin well, which the worldly exhibit in their undertakings (Jer 44:25).