Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 8:5

What does 2 Corinthians 8:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 8:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 8:5 means

The Macedonians exceeded Paul’s hopes because their first and primary offering was themselves. They entrusted their whole lives to the Lord and, by God’s will, aligned themselves with Paul’s team. Money followed consecration. When the heart is yielded, the hand opens. This verse teaches priority: dedication to the Lord precedes and shapes every other act of service. Their submission “to us through the will of God” shows healthy cooperation with apostolic leadership without idolatry of people; God’s will was the channel. Such self-giving explains how they could give sacrificially with joy: they belonged to the Lord, and His purposes defined their choices.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And going even farther than our hope, they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us after the purpose of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and not according as we expected, but themselves they did give first to the Lord, and to us, through the will of God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And not as we hoped: but they gave their own selves, first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God;

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us byGod's will.

Context

After noting the Macedonians’ affliction, generosity, willingness, and eagerness, Paul now reveals the root cause: total self-commitment to God. This supplies the theological foundation for the example and guards against mere external imitation. The flow will now shift from example to exhortation: because of this powerful model, Paul prompted Titus to help Corinth bring its earlier intentions to completion (v. 6). Understanding verse 5 helps the Corinthians see that Paul is ultimately calling them to renewed devotion expressed in concrete generosity.

v.4beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:

v.5This passage

v.6Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 44:3

    For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

  • 2 Corinthians 4:5

    For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:8

    Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were; but yield yourselves unto Jehovah, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever, and serve Jehovah your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:12

    Also upon Judah came the hand of God to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of Jehovah.

  • Jeremiah 31:33

    But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:1

    Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;

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