Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:11
Verse 11. A readiness to will, so there may be a performance] Ye have willed and purposed this; now perform it. Out of that which ye have.] Give as God has enabled you; and give as God has disposed you. He requires each man to do as he can; and accepts the will where the means are wanting to perform the deed.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. Now therefore perform the doing of it , etc..] 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, Ver. 12. For if there be first a willing mind , etc..] If what is done springs from a truly noble, generous spirit, a spirit of bountifulness and liberality; and is given cheerfully and freely, and according to a man's ability; the quantity matters not, whether it be more or less: it is accepted ; both of God and man: according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not . The widow's mite was as acceptable, and more so, than all the rich men cast into the treasury; a cup of cold water given to a prophet, in the name of a prophet, is taken notice of by God, and shall have its reward. The present sent by the Philippians to the Apostle Paul, and which perhaps was not very large, was an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God, ( Philippians 4:18).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 10-15 - Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and giv hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing withou good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unles there is perseverance. When men purpose that which is good, an endeavour, according to their ability, to perform also, God will no reject them for what it is not in their power to do. But this scriptur will not justify those who think good meanings are enough, or that goo purposes, and the mere profession of a willing mind, are enough to save. Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world and to some less, that those who have abundance might supply others wh are in want. It is the will of God, that by our mutual supplying on another, there should be some sort of equality; not such a levelling a would destroy property, for in such a case there could be no exercis of charity. All should think themselves concerned to relieve those in want. This is shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the wilderness, Ex 16:18. Those who have most of this world, have no mor than food and raiment; and those who have but little of this world seldom are quite without them.
Greek Textus Receptus
νυνι 3570 ADV δε 1161 CONJ και 2532 CONJ το 3588 T-ASN ποιησαι 4160 5658 V-AAN επιτελεσατε 2005 5657 V-AAM-2P οπως 3704 ADV καθαπερ 2509 ADV η 3588 T-NSF προθυμια 4288 N-NSF του 3588 T-GSM θελειν 2309 5721 V-PAN ουτως 3779 ADV και 2532 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN επιτελεσαι 2005 5658 V-AAN εκ 1537 PREP του 3588 T-GSM εχειν 2192 5721 V-PAN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
11. Out of that which ye have (ek tou ecein). Wrong. Meyer justly remarks that it would be an indelicate compliment to the inclination of the readers, that it had originated from their possession. Render, according to your ability; better than Rev. out of your ability.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:11 {The readiness to will} (he proqumia tou qelein). Old word from proqumos (pro, qumos), forwardness, eagerness (#Ac 17:11). They were quick to pledge. {The completion also} (kai to epitelesai). The finishing also (articular first aorist active infinitive). {Out of your ability} (ek tou ecein). "Out of the having," literally, and so, "out of what you can give" (verse #12).
