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For, as I can bear witness, [they gave] according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and [they did it] voluntarily,

Begging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for [the relief and support of] the saints [in Jerusalem].

Nor [was this gift of theirs merely the contribution] that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [[a]entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]—

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:5 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,(A) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing(B) in this service(C) to the Lord’s people.(D) And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

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