2 Corinthians 8:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I am not issuing an order; rather, I am testing the genuineness of your love against the diligence of others.

Berean Standard Bible:

I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.

American Standard Version:

I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

I speak^{G3004} not^{G3756} by^{G2596} commandment^{G2003}, but^{G235} by occasion^{G1223} of the forwardness^{G4710} of others^{G2087}, and^{G2532} to prove^{G1381} the sincerity^{G1103} of your^{G5212} love^{G26}.

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Commentary for 2 Corinthians 8:8

2 Corinthians 8:8 is a verse set within the larger context of the Apostle Paul's letters to the church in Corinth. In this particular verse, Paul is addressing the subject of giving and generosity, specifically in the context of a collection for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. The historical context is significant; there was a famine in Judea, and the Gentile churches were encouraged to provide financial assistance to their Jewish Christian counterparts.

In the verse, Paul is careful to clarify that he is not ordering the Corinthians to contribute to this collection but rather encouraging them based on the enthusiasm and generosity he has witnessed in other churches. He is appealing to their own initiative and the example set by others, which is a common strategy in his writings to motivate believers to action out of love and voluntary commitment rather than compulsion.

The themes of the verse include the importance of generosity, the voluntary nature of Christian giving, and the proof of genuine love. Paul emphasizes that the sincerity of the Corinthians' love can be demonstrated through their willingness to give generously, just as the Macedonian churches had done despite their own poverty (as mentioned earlier in the chapter). This reflects the early Christian ethos of mutual support and the belief that practical acts of kindness are a tangible expression of love and faith. Paul's approach here underscores the principle that Christian conduct should flow from internal convictions and a heart moved by love, rather than from external mandates.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2596
   There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κατά
   Transliteration: katá
   Pronunciation: kat-ah'
   Description: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2003
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιταγή
   Transliteration: epitagḗ
   Pronunciation: ep-ee-tag-ay'
   Description: from ἐπιτάσσω; an injunction or decree; by implication, authoritativeness:--authority, commandment.
   
5. Strong's Number: G235
   There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀλλά
   Transliteration: allá
   Pronunciation: al-lah'
   Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1223
   There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διά
   Transliteration: diá
   Pronunciation: dee-ah'
   Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4710
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σπουδή
   Transliteration: spoudḗ
   Pronunciation: spoo-day'
   Description: from σπεύδω; "speed", i.e. (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness:--business, (earnest) care(-fulness), diligence, forwardness, haste.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2087
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἕτερος
   Transliteration: héteros
   Pronunciation: het'-er-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; (an-, the) other or different:--altered, else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1381
    There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δοκιμάζω
    Transliteration: dokimázō
    Pronunciation: dok-im-ad'-zo
    Description: from δόκιμος; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve:--allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-)prove, try.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1103
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γνήσιος
    Transliteration: gnḗsios
    Pronunciation: gnay'-see-os
    Description: from the same as γενέσια; legitimate (of birth), i.e. genuine:--own, sincerity, true.
    
12. Strong's Number: G5212
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμέτερος
    Transliteration: hyméteros
    Pronunciation: hoo-met'-er-os
    Description: from ὑμεῖς; yours, i.e. pertaining to you:--your (own).
    
13. Strong's Number: G26
    There are 727 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀγάπη
    Transliteration: agápē
    Pronunciation: ag-ah'-pay
    Description: from ἀγαπάω; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.