2 Corinthians 8:11

11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

Read Chapter Compare

PREVIOUS 2 Corinthians 8:10 NEXT 2 Corinthians 8:12

2 Corinthians 8:11 in Other Translations

KJV

11 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.

ESV

11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

NLT

11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.

MSG

11 Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it.

CSB

11 But now finish the task as well, that just as there was eagerness to desire it, so there may also be a completion from what you have.

2 Corinthians 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 8:11

Now therefore perform the doing of it
This is a conclusion from the former advice, to finish what was readily willed; for as it is not enough to do a thing, unless it is done cheerfully and willingly, so it is not sufficient to express a good will to such service as is here called to, without doing it; both should go together:

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,

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? 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,

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

2 Corinthians 8:11 In-Context

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.

11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.