The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 8:11 Explained

2 Corinthians 8:11

KJV: 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.

YLT: and now also finish doing it, that even as there is the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which ye have,

Darby: But now also complete the doing of it; so that as there was the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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 does 2 Corinthians 8:11 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 8:1-15 - Stimulating To Liberality
Surely the plea for a generous gift of money toward the collection which Paul was making for the poor saints in Jerusalem, could not have been more tenderly and convincingly urged than it is urged here. He begins by mentioning the generosity of the Christians in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, who were very poor, the inference being that the wealthier Corinthians would make similar sacrifices. He quotes the example of the Lord Jesus, who made Himself poor that they might be enriched and who for nineteen centuries since has had the joy of enriching myriads of souls. Paul reminds the Corinthians that a year ago they had resolved to make this gift. Finally he sketches his fair dream of reciprocity between church and church, so that wherever there was need the supplies of Christian benevolence should flow forth to meet it.
Notice, then, that Christian liberality originates in the grace of God, ministers abundant joy to those who give, is not staunched by deep poverty, begins with the consecration of the giver's soul to God, and does not wait to be entreated, because it demands the privilege of ministering thus to the lack of Christ's body. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 8

1  He stirs them to a generous gift for the poor saints at Jerusalem, by the example of the Macedonians;
7  by commendation of their former forwardness;
9  by the example of Christ;
14  and by the spiritual profit that shall redound to themselves thereby;
16  commending to them the integrity and willingness of Titus, and those other brothers

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 8:11

The readiness to will [η προτυμια του τελειν]
Old word from προτυμος — prothumos They were quick to pledge. [source]
The completion also [εκ του εχειν]
The finishing also (articular first aorist active infinitive). Out of your ability (ek tou echein). “Out of the having,” literally, and so, “out of what you can give” (2 Corinthians 8:12). [source]
Out of your ability [ek tou echein)]
“Out of the having,” literally, and so, “out of what you can give” (2 Corinthians 8:12). [source]
Out of that which ye have [ἐκ τοῦ ἔχειν]
Wrong. Meyer justly remarks that it would be an indelicate compliment to the inclination of the readers, that it had originated from their possession. Render, according to your ability; better than Rev. out of your ability. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 8:11

2 Corinthians 8:14 By an equality [ἐξ ἰσότητος]
Ἑξ as in 2 Corinthians 8:11, according to. I speak on the principle that your abundance should go to equalize the difference created by their want. [source]
1 Timothy 4:12 Purity [ἁγνίᾳ]
Only here and 1 Timothy 5:2. Ἁγνός pure 1 Timothy 5:22; Titus 2:5. In Paul, 2 Corinthians 8:11; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Philemon 4:8. Also in James, Peter, and 1John. Ἁγνότης purity 2 Corinthians 6:6; 2 Corinthians 11:3. olxx, oClass. Ἁγνός always with a moral sense; not limited to sins of the flesh, but covering purity in motives as well as in acts. In 1 John 3:3, of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 11:2, of virgin purity. In James 3:17, as a characteristic of heavenly wisdom. Ἁγνῶς purely(Philemon 1:17), of preaching the gospel with unmixed motives. The verb ἁγνίζειν topurify, which in lxx is used only of ceremonial purification, has that meaning in four of the seven instances in N.T. (John 11:55; Acts 21:24, Acts 21:26; Acts 24:18). In the others (James 4:8; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:3) it is used of purifying the heart and soul. [source]
1 Peter 5:2 Willingly [προδύμως]
Not strong enough. The word is compounded of πρό , forward, and θυμός , heart or spirit. Hence Rev., with a ready mind; a forward spirit; denoting not mere willingness, but zeal. Only here in New Testament. Compare the kindred adjective πρόθυμος , ready (Romans 1:15; Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38), and the kindred noun προθυμία , readiness (2 Corinthians 8:11, 2 Corinthians 8:12, 2 Corinthians 8:19; 2 Corinthians 9:2). [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 8:11 mean?

Now then also the doing complete so that just as [there was] the readiness of the to will so the to complete out of that which you have
νυνὶ δὲ καὶ τὸ ποιῆσαι ἐπιτελέσατε ὅπως καθάπερ προθυμία τοῦ θέλειν οὕτως τὸ ἐπιτελέσαι ἐκ τοῦ ἔχειν

νυνὶ  Now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: νυνί  
Sense: now, at this very moment.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ποιῆσαι  doing 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
ἐπιτελέσατε  complete 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἐπιτελέω  
Sense: to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete.
ὅπως  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅπως  
Sense: how, that.
καθάπερ  just  as 
Parse: Adverb
Root: καθάπερ 
Sense: according as, just as, even as.
  [there  was]  the 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
προθυμία  readiness 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: προθυμία  
Sense: zeal, spirit, eagerness.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
θέλειν  to  will 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: θέλω  
Sense: to will, have in mind, intend.
οὕτως  so 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὕτως  
Sense: in this manner, thus, so.
ἐπιτελέσαι  to  complete 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ἐπιτελέω  
Sense: to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete.
ἐκ  out  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
τοῦ  that  which 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἔχειν  you  have 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.

What are the major concepts related to 2 Corinthians 8:11?

Loading Information...