II Corinthians 8:10 · Bible study
2 Corinthians 8:10 Commentary: Giving: Advice, Not Command
Greek · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Paul frames his instruction as advice, not a command, appealing to the Corinthians’ prior willingness.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul encourages the Corinthians to complete their promised offering for Jerusalem, appealing to their prior willingness and the profit of finishing well.
- Key words: advice (γνώμην), profitable (συμφέρει), to act (ποιῆσαι), to will (θέλειν), began before (προενήρξασθε)
- Main debate: Whether Paul’s “advice” implies lack of divine authority or is a rhetorical strategy; also the order of “doing” before “willing” in the sentence.
- Theological theme: Christian giving as a voluntary, heart-led response to grace, not a coerced obligation.
- Best use: Teaching on stewardship, pastoral encouragement, or small-group study on generosity and follow-through.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.
WEB World English Bible 2000
I give advice in this: it is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.
KJV King James Version 1769
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you is expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before--a year ago,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And I give [my] opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And herein I give my advice: for this is profitable for you who have begun not only to do but also to be willing, a year ago.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y en esto doy mi consejo; porque esto os conviene á vosotros, que comenzasteis antes, no sólo á hacerlo, mas aun á quererlo desde el año pasado.
E nisto dou minha opinião: porque isto vos convém, não somente a fazer, mas também a querer, dado que começastes desde o ano passado.
C’ est un avis que je donne là-dessus, car cela vous convient, à vous qui non seulement avez commencé à agir, mais qui en avez eu la volonté dès l’ année dernière.
Und meine Meinung hierin gebe ich; denn solches ist euch nützlich, die ihr angefangen habt vom vorigen Jahre her nicht allein das Tun, sondern auch das Wollen;
En ik zeg in dezen mijn mening; want dit is u oorbaar, als die niet alleen het doen, maar ook het willen van over een jaar te voren hebt begonnen.
E qui vi do un consiglio; il che conviene a voi i quali fin dall’anno passato avete per i primi cominciato non solo a fare ma anche a volere:
A w tem podaję wam zdanie swoje; albowiem to wam jest pożyteczno, którzy nie tylko czynić, ale i chcieć przedtemeście poczęli roku przeszłego.
Я даю на это совет: ибо это полезно вам, которые не только начали делать сие, но и желали того еще с прошедшего года.
我在 這事 上把 我的意見告訴你們， 是與你們 有益；因為你們 下手 辦這事，而且 起此心意，已經 有一年了，
And in this I give my opinion: for it is to your profit, who were the first to make a start a year before, not only to do this, but to make clear that your minds were more than ready to do it.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · II Corinthians 8:10
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Paul’s choice to give “advice” (γνώμην, gnōmēn) rather than a command is deliberate. Barnes notes that “advice will go much further than commands on the subject of charities.” Clarke adds that Paul “speaks not by way of commandment” to preserve the voluntary nature of the gift. The apostle appeals to the Corinthians’ earlier initiative, they had begun a year ago not only to act but also to will (θέλειν, thelein). The Cambridge Bible observes that Paul attaches “more importance to the motive than to the action.” Gill sees both commendation for their early start and a gentle reproach that others finished before them. The verb συμφέρει (sumpherei, “is profitable”) frames giving not as a burden but as something that brings advantage, to the giver as well as the recipient. The consensus is clear: Christian giving flows from a willing heart, and pastoral leadership wisely invites rather than compels.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Commendation with encouragement to finish: The majority view: Paul praises their early start and appeals to their own prior willingness to motivate completion (Barnes, Cambridge, Calvin).
- Mild reproof for stalling: Gill sees both praise and a gentle rebuke: they began well but others finished before them, so Paul urges them to recover consistency.
- Non-authoritative opinion: A minority reading: Paul’s ‘advice’ is merely human counsel, not divinely inspired instruction (rare; some base it on the contrast with ‘commandment’ in v.8).
What is clear: Paul values the voluntary willingness of the Corinthians as the foundation for their giving and calls them to complete what they began for their own spiritual benefit and for the sake of consistency.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Paul's advice | Paul deliberately avoids commanding, choosing instead to give his 'judgment' to preserve voluntary giving. | Some see this as a non-inspired personal opinion; most hold that Paul writes under the Spirit’s guidance (cf. 1 Cor 7:40) and that the 'advice' is still authoritative in content. |
| Meaning of 'to will' (θελειν) | The word indicates an intentional desire or resolve, not mere wishfulness. | Clarke suggests it means 'delight' or taking pleasure in the act; others take it as simple willingness or purpose. |
| Timing of 'a year ago' | It refers to the period after Paul’s first epistle (1 Cor 16:2) when the Corinthians began the collection. | Cambridge discusses whether the Jewish civil year (Tisri) or ecclesiastical year (Nisan) is in view; both are possible. |
| Why the collection stalled | The Corinthians had started enthusiastically but had not yet completed the offering. | Barnes blames dissensions in the church; Gill suggests a mixture of praise for their start and mild reproof for their delay. |
| Order of doing and willing | Paul highlights that the Corinthians were first in both action and intention before other churches. | Some commentators note the unusual sequence (not only to do, but also to will) and propose that Paul deliberately inverts the natural order to stress that willingness accompanied, and even preceded, the action. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul writes 2 Corinthians from Macedonia, likely Philippi, about a year after his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:2). In that earlier letter, he had directed them to “lay by in store” for the collection destined for the poor saints in Jerusalem. The Corinthians had responded enthusiastically, they were the first to commit, both in desire and in action. Clarke notes that they “began to lay up in store” around the time of that instruction. Yet by the time Paul writes again, the project has stalled. Barnes suggests that “dissensions which arose in the church” interrupted the work. Paul now faces the delicate task of urging them to finish without damping their spirit.
The surrounding passage sets this appeal within a larger argument. Paul has just held up the Macedonians’ generosity as an example of grace under trial (2 Corinthians 8:1, 5). He frames the collection not as a tax but as a “grace” (charis) and grounds it in the ultimate pattern of Christ’s self-giving: “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor” (v. 9). In the verses that follow, Paul will press for completion (v. 11) and clarify that the goal is equality, not burden (v. 13, 14). The cultural background includes the Jewish sense of the year, Cambridge considers whether Paul refers to the civil year beginning in Tisri (autumn) or the ecclesiastical year starting in Nisan. Either way, “a year ago” (ἀπὸ πέρυσι) anchors the appeal in a real, recent promise. The church in Corinth had started strong. Now Paul uses the force of consistency, not command, to call them forward.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for 2 Corinthians 8:10. The wording is stable across the major manuscripts.
Reception History
This verse has often been cited in discussions on the nature of pastoral authority and voluntary giving. John Calvin, in his commentary, quoted the epigram from Martial, ”What you have given away is the only wealth that you will always have”, to illustrate the worldly wisdom of generosity, though he quickly added that Christians give not for reward but out of grace. The verse has also been used by preachers throughout the centuries to encourage believers to follow through on commitments made in the enthusiasm of the moment. In the Wesleyan tradition, Adam Clarke drew attention to the need for consistency of conduct. The broader reception emphasizes that Paul’s pastoral style models an approach that invites rather than compels, trusting the Spirit’s work in willing hearts.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Gentle Leadership of Advice. Paul avoids an apostolic command. He gives his “judgment” (γνώμην), trusting that what is willingly chosen lasts longer than what is enforced.
- The Priority of a Willing Heart. Paul notes that the Corinthians were first “not only to do, but also to will.” God values the intention that precedes the action.
- The Urgency of Completion. Beginning is not enough. Paul calls them to finish what they started a year ago, for their own consistency and testimony.
Five-point outline
- Paul’s pastoral wisdom, advice, not command, frees the gift to be a genuine offering.
- The Corinthians’ head start, they were first in willingness and action, setting an example.
- The motive that matters, willingness precedes completion; God accepts the readiness.
- The profit of giving, “expedient” (συμφέρει) implies it benefits the giver spiritually and practically.
- The witness of consistency, finishing honors their earlier commitment and validates their faith before others.
Illustration hooks
- A church congregation that pledges enthusiastically for a building fund but loses momentum after the ground-breaking.
- Someone who volunteers for a ministry role with passion, then lets other priorities crowd it out.
- The relief of completing a long-delayed project, the satisfaction that comes when “willing” meets “doing.”
Questions your congregation is asking
- Is it okay to give if I don’t feel particularly willing?
- How can I know whether my giving is motivated by grace or by guilt?
- What if I started a commitment but now cannot finish it through circumstances beyond my control?
Leading a Discussion
Paul isn’t issuing a command; he is offering wise counsel. He reminds the Corinthians that they were the first to commit, both in heart and in action, a year ago. Now he gently urges them to complete what they began, not out of compulsion but because it is profitable for them and consistent with their own stated desire.
Discussion questions
- What does Paul mean by “advice” in verse 10? How does this differ from a command?
- Why does Paul mention that the Corinthians “began before” and “a year ago”? What does the timing tell you about their situation?
- Read verse 10 alongside verses 11, 12. What connection do you see between willingness, action, and completion?
- In what ways can good intentions (“willing”) fail to lead to action in your own life or church?
- How does Paul’s approach encourage generosity without manipulation?
- Think of a time you followed through on a financial or service commitment. What helped you persist?
- How can this passage shape the way your group prays about giving and serving together?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Proverbs 19:17 | He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him. |
| Matthew 10:42 | Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.” |
| John 11:50 | nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” |
| John 16:7 | Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. |
| John 18:14 | Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people. |
| I Corinthians 6:12 | “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the power of anything. |
| I Corinthians 7:25 | Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy. |
| I Corinthians 7:40 | But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God’s Spirit. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights that the Greek word often translated "to will" actually means "to delight" or take pleasure in doing. He stresses that Paul calls this advice, not a command, and urges the Corinthians to finish the collection they began a year earlier, proving their good work came from their own initiative, not just the Macedonians' example.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that Paul deliberately offers advice rather than a command, knowing that gentle counsel moves people more than orders when it comes to giving. He stresses that completing the collection is profitable and becoming for the Corinthians, a matter of consistency and reputation that calls them to finish what they began with willingness.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin distinguishes Christian generosity from pagan wisdom that prizes giving as a safe investment. He insists the Lord wants believers to give without any hope of reward or return, and to persevere in doing good even when people are ungrateful and the gift seems completely lost.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that Paul’s “advice” is not a command, and that “expedient” here means “profitable,” not the modern sense of being opposed to what is right. Paul gives more weight to the believers’ deliberate willingness and motive than to the outward action itself.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The note emphasizes that Paul commends the Corinthians for having both the will and the action, which began a year ago. Their willingness to give is not separate from their doing; the two belong together as a complete, timely response.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that Paul gives his opinion rather than a command, mixing both praise and reproof. The Corinthians were willing and first to begin the collection a year ago, yet others finished before them. Paul urges them to complete it willingly, both for their own good and to avoid disgrace.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB clarifies that Paul does not disclaim divine inspiration for his advice; he deliberately calls it an opinion so the Corinthians' offering would remain voluntary. Three steps are involved: the willingness, the initial action, and completion. The Corinthians led in the first two but had not yet finished.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry highlights Paul's persuasive skill in commending the Corinthians for their other spiritual gifts before urging them to excel in charity. The apostle uses praise as a gracious means to encourage generosity, showing that honoring the graces already at work in believers can motivate them to further acts of love.