2 Corinthians 8:10 - Exposition

And herein I give my advice ; and in this matter I offer an opinion ( only ). For this is expedient for you . It is more to your advantage that I should merely suggest and advise you about the matter than command you. Who have begun; rather, seeing that you formerly began . The verb is the same as in 2 Corinthians 8:6 . Not only to do, but also to be forward; rather, not only to do, but also to be willing . The "to do" is in the aorist, the "to be willing" in the present. We should naturally have expected a reversed order, "not only to be willing, but also to put in action." There must be a strong touch of irony in the words, unless we interpret it to mean "not only to make the collection, but to be willing to add yet more to it." Perhaps in the "to be willing" lies the notion of "the cheerful giver," "the willing mind "( 2 Corinthians 9:7 ; 1 Timothy 6:17-19 ). A year ago; rather, since the previous year; i.e. last year ( 2 Corinthians 9:2 ). They had probably begun to collect in the previous Easter, and it was now soon after Tisri, or September, the beginning of the Jewish civil year.