John Bengel Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:5 - 8:5

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John Bengel Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:5 - 8:5


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2Co 8:5. Ἔδωκαν, they gave) This word mamtains the whole structure of the paragraph in the following sense: Not only have they given grace and a proof of fellowship, or δόμα, that gift, but they have altogether given their own selves. So Chrysostom, Homil. 16. on 2 Cor.; comp. especially Homil. 17, where he repeats ὑπὲρ δύναμιν ἔδωκαν. The nominatives αὐθαίρετοι, δεόμενοι are connected with the same verb ἔδωκαν; and the accusatives χάριν, κοινωνίαν, ἑαυτοὺς, depend upon it, in an easy and agreeable sense. The transcribers have thrust in δέξασθαι ἡμᾶς after ἁγίους; and those who consider these words as Paul’s, give themselves great trouble, especially Beza. Different commentators have used different glosses, which are quite superfluous.-πρῶτον, first) their own selves, before [in preference and precedency to] their gift; comp. Rom 15:16.-τῷ Κυρίῳ, to the Lord) Christ.-καὶ ἡμῖν διὰ θελήματος Θεοῦ, and to us by the will of God) It is therefore called the grace of God, 2Co 8:1. The Macedonians did not of themselves previously determine the amount of the gift, but left that to the disposal of the apostle.