Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 8:12
For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian congregation, instructing them to complete a promised financial collection for Jerusalem believers. He addresses the timing and scope of their contribution while establishing a standard for equitable support across the churches.
The words — προθυμία (prothymia) translates as readiness or eagerness, and ἔχῃ (echē) means having or possessing. The Greek phrasing ties the acceptability of a gift directly to the donor's existing resources rather than an unmet standard.
The thread — The principle appears in Exodus 35:29, where offerings flow from prompted hearts, and in Mark 12:42, where a poor widow contributes two small copper coins. Luke 21:1 records Jesus observing the wealthy depositing their gifts into the treasury.
Why it lands — The text demands that contributions match a giver's actual means rather than an aspirational amount. It requires honest assessment of personal resources before any offering is made.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
Cross-references
- Mark 12:42 Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius.
- Exodus 35:29 So all the men and women of the Israelites whose hearts prompted them brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
- Luke 21:1 Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
- Exodus 35:21 And everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its services, and for the holy garments.
- Exodus 25:2 “Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him.
- Exodus 35:5 Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze;
- 1 Peter 4:10 As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
- 1 Chronicles 29:3 Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give for it my personal treasures of gold and silver, over and above all that I have provided for this holy temple:
- Mark 14:7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.