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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - 2 Corinthians 8:5 - 8:5
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5. οὐ καθὼς ἠλπίσαμεν. Not just as we expected (2Co 13:6), but far exceeding our expectations.
ἀλλʼ ἑαυτοὺς ἔδωκαν πρῶτον τ. κ. Perhaps ἑαυτούς should keep its emphatic position; but themselves they gave first to the Lord and to us. They gave more money than they could afford; but, first and foremost, they surrendered their own persons. Both their lives and their possessions were at the disposal of Christ and His Apostle. There should be no comma at ‘Lord,’ as if διὰ θελήματος θεοῦ belonged only to καὶ ἡμῖν. The whole of their surrender was διὰ θελ. θεοῦ, for it is ἡ χάρις τ. θεοῦ (2Co 8:1) when any one has the will and the power to do what is right.
This passage about the Macedonian converts helps to bridge the ten years between the Epistles to the Thessalonians and that to the Philippians, which are so similar in tone. The fidelity to the Gospel and loyalty to the Apostle, on the part of those addressed, are conspicuous in all three letters. This passage also is written in a similar tone of affectionate and thankful praise.