2 Corinthians 8:11

KJV

Now therefore perform the doing [of it]; that as [there was] a readiness to will, so [there may be] a performance also out of that which ye have.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G3570}{G1161} therefore {G2532} perform {G2005} the doing {G4160} of it; that {G3704} as {G2509} there was a readiness {G4288} to will {G2309}, so {G3779} there may be a performance {G2005} also {G2532} out of {G1537} that which ye have {G2192}.

Complete Jewish Bible

to finish what you started, so that your eagerness in wanting to commence the project may be matched by your eagerness to complete it, as you contribute from what you have.

Berean Standard Bible

Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means.

American Standard Version

But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Corinthians 8:11 is a powerful apostolic exhortation from Paul to the Corinthian believers, urging them to complete the charitable collection they had enthusiastically initiated for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem. This verse underscores the vital principle of translating good intentions and initial eagerness into concrete, tangible actions, emphasizing that true Christian generosity is demonstrated not merely by a willingness to give, but by the diligent and proportionate performance of that commitment according to one's available resources.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's extended appeal for the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, spanning chapters 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians. In the preceding verses of [2 Corinthians 8](/2_corinthians/8 "2 Corinthians 8 - The Collection for the Saints"), Paul sets the stage by commending the Macedonian churches for their extraordinary generosity, despite their own severe poverty, as a prime example of God's grace at work ([2 Corinthians 8:1-5](/2_corinthians/8-1-5 "The Generosity of the Macedonian Churches")). He then contrasts this with the Corinthians, who, though initially eager and having even begun the collection a year prior ([2 Corinthians 8:10](/2_corinthians/8-10 "Corinthians' Readiness to Give")), had evidently not yet brought their commitment to completion. Verse 11, therefore, serves as a direct call to action, building on the past readiness and urging them to match their initial zeal with faithful execution, ensuring their "performance" aligns with their "readiness."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The collection for the saints in Jerusalem was a significant undertaking in the early church, serving multiple purposes. Historically, there were periods of famine and economic hardship in Judea, impacting the Christian community there ([Acts 11:27-30](/acts/11-27-30 "Famine Relief for Judea")). Culturally, this collection fostered unity between the predominantly Gentile churches (like Corinth) and the Jewish Christian community in Jerusalem, demonstrating practical love and breaking down barriers ([Galatians 2:10](/galatians/2-10 "Remembering the Poor")). Paul's emphasis on giving "out of that which ye have" reflects a common understanding of charitable giving in the ancient world, where contributions were expected to be proportionate to one's means, rather than imposing an impossible burden. This practice also aligned with Old Testament principles of tithing and offerings based on blessings received.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Corinthians 8:11](/2_corinthians/8-11 "2 Corinthians 8:11 - From Readiness to Performance") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Paul's letter and Christian theology. The most prominent is the **necessity of translating good intentions into tangible action**. Paul highlights that a "readiness to will" (initial enthusiasm and desire) is commendable, but it must culminate in "performance" (the actual completion of the task). This theme is deeply intertwined with **integrity and faithfulness in Christian living**, demonstrating that genuine commitment is proven by consistent follow-through. Furthermore, the verse reinforces the principle of **giving according to ability**, as seen in the phrase "out of that which ye have," aligning with the broader teaching that God desires cheerful giving that is proportionate to one's resources, not burdensome ([2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "God Loves a Cheerful Giver")). Finally, it speaks to **responsible stewardship**, urging believers to actively deploy their resources—whether financial, time, or talent—for God's purposes, moving beyond mere contemplation to diligent execution.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **perform (Greek, _epiteléō'_):** This verb signifies to bring to completion, to accomplish, or to finish. It implies the actual carrying out of a task or promise, emphasizing the final execution of a work. Paul uses this word to stress the importance of seeing the charitable work through to its intended conclusion, not merely initiating it.
* **readiness (Greek, _prothymía'_):** This noun denotes predisposition, alacrity, eagerness, or a willing mind. It captures the initial enthusiasm and fervent desire that the Corinthians had demonstrated a year prior regarding the collection. Paul acknowledges this positive initial disposition but calls for its culmination in action.
* **have (Greek, _échō'_):** A versatile verb meaning to hold, possess, or be in a certain condition. In this context, it refers to the material resources or means that the Corinthians possessed. Paul emphasizes that the "performance" of their giving should be proportionate to what they genuinely "have," ensuring that their contribution is both sincere and sustainable, rather than based on what they lack or wish they had.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now therefore perform the doing [of it];"**: Paul issues a direct command, urging the Corinthians to move from their previous state of willingness to the active completion of the collection. The phrase "the doing of it" refers specifically to the act of gathering and contributing the funds for the Jerusalem saints. This clause serves as the central exhortation of the verse, demanding action.
* **"that as [there was] a readiness to will,"**: This introduces a comparison. "Readiness to will" refers to the Corinthians' initial eagerness and good intentions to participate in the collection, which Paul had previously commended. This clause acknowledges their past positive disposition, setting up the parallel for what should follow.
* **"so [there may be] a performance also"**: This is the correlative part of the comparison, indicating that the actual completion of the collection should match the initial enthusiasm. Just as their will was ready, so too should their actions be completed. The repetition of the concept of "performance" (from "perform the doing") reinforces the urgency and importance of follow-through.
* **"out of that which ye have."**: This crucial qualifying phrase defines the scope and measure of their "performance." Their giving is not to be beyond their means, but proportionate to their actual possessions and resources. This ensures that the act of giving is sustainable, sincere, and not a burden, aligning with the principle that God desires cheerful giving according to one's ability.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs **Parallelism** in this verse, specifically a "as... so" construction, to draw a direct comparison between the Corinthians' initial "readiness to will" and the desired "performance." This rhetorical device effectively highlights the gap between intention and action, underscoring the necessity of bridging that gap. The verse also functions as a direct **Exhortation**, a strong appeal from Paul, characteristic of his pastoral letters, urging his readers to specific ethical and practical conduct. Furthermore, there is an underlying **Appeal to Integrity**, as Paul implicitly calls the Corinthians to be people of their word, demonstrating consistency between their stated intentions and their actual deeds. The repetition of the concept of "doing" or "performance" (`epiteléō` and `poiéō` in the Greek, though KJV translates both as "perform/doing") serves as a form of **Emphasis**, reinforcing the central message of completion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The principle articulated in [2 Corinthians 8:11](/2_corinthians/8-11 "2 Corinthians 8:11 - From Readiness to Performance"), moving from intention to completion, is a fundamental theological truth that permeates Scripture. It highlights that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent or emotional stirring, but an active, obedient response to God's grace. This verse underscores the divine expectation that believers will manifest their inner transformation through outward deeds, demonstrating the sincerity of their love and commitment. It teaches that God values not only the heart's desire but also the diligent effort to bring that desire to fruition, always within the bounds of what He has provided. This balance of willingness and proportionate action reflects a holistic understanding of Christian living, where grace empowers both the desire and the ability to serve.

* [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "Faith without works is dead")
* [Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "He who began a good work in you will complete it")
* [Deuteronomy 15:7-8](/deuteronomy/15-7-8 "Open your hand to your needy brother")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[2 Corinthians 8:11](/2_corinthians/8-11 "2 Corinthians 8:11 - From Readiness to Performance") offers timeless wisdom for believers today, challenging us to honestly assess the gap between our good intentions and our actual follow-through. It serves as a powerful reminder that true faith is active and demonstrable, not merely theoretical or aspirational. This principle extends far beyond financial giving, touching every aspect of our Christian walk. Are there areas in our lives where we have a "readiness to will" – a desire to grow spiritually, to serve others, to share the Gospel, or to break a sinful habit – but have yet to translate that desire into consistent "performance"? Paul's exhortation calls us to cultivate diligence and integrity, recognizing that our commitments to God and to others should be met with faithful execution, always within the measure of what God has graciously given us. It encourages a life marked by consistency, where our "yes" truly means "yes," and our actions bear witness to our sincerity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life do I have a "readiness to will" (good intentions or desires) that has not yet translated into "performance" (tangible action)?**
* **How can I develop greater discipline and faithfulness in completing commitments I've made, both to God and to others?**
* **In what ways am I called to give or serve "out of that which I have," rather than waiting for ideal circumstances or wishing for more resources?**

### FAQ

**What is the main message of 2 Corinthians 8:11?**
Answer: The main message of [2 Corinthians 8:11](/2_corinthians/8-11 "2 Corinthians 8:11 - From Readiness to Performance") is the critical importance of moving beyond good intentions and initial eagerness to the actual completion of a commitment. Paul urges the Corinthians to match their "readiness to will" with a tangible "performance," specifically in the context of their promised contribution to the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, emphasizing that this performance should be proportionate to their available resources ("out of that which ye have").

**How does this verse relate to Christian giving?**
Answer: This verse directly relates to Christian giving by emphasizing that true generosity involves not just the desire to give, but the diligent act of giving. It highlights that giving should be completed as promised and should be done "out of that which ye have," meaning proportionately to one's means. This principle is further elaborated in [2 Corinthians 8:12-15](/2_corinthians/8-12-15 "Giving According to What You Have"), where Paul assures them that God accepts what one has, not what one does not have, promoting equity and cheerful giving.

**Does "out of that which ye have" mean I only need to give if I have a lot?**
Answer: No, "out of that which ye have" does not mean you only need to give if you have a lot. Instead, it means that your giving should be proportionate to your current resources, whatever they may be. Paul's point is that God accepts and values giving that comes from a sincere heart and is within one's means, rather than imposing an impossible burden or expecting what one does not possess. The example of the Macedonian churches in [2 Corinthians 8:1-5](/2_corinthians/8-1-5 "The Generosity of the Macedonian Churches") shows that even those in extreme poverty can give generously and sacrificially "out of their deep poverty," demonstrating that the amount is less important than the willingness and the proportion to one's ability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[2 Corinthians 8:11](/2_corinthians/8-11 "2 Corinthians 8:11 - From Readiness to Performance") finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse exhorts believers to move from intention to performance in their giving, Christ perfectly fulfilled the divine will, translating God's eternal intention for salvation into the ultimate performance of redemption. From eternity, God's "readiness to will" was to save humanity ([Ephesians 1:4-5](/ephesians/1-4-5 "Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world")). Jesus, the Son, perfectly executed this divine will, declaring, "I have come to do your will, O God" ([Hebrews 10:7](/hebrews/10-7 "I have come to do your will, O God")). His entire earthly life, culminating in His obedient suffering and death on the cross, was the supreme "performance" of God's redemptive plan, a giving of Himself "out of that which He had" – His very life and perfection ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Through His finished work, Christ not only fulfilled all righteousness but also empowered believers, by His Spirit, to live lives of faithful "performance," enabling us to translate our "readiness to will" for God's kingdom into tangible acts of love, service, and generosity, just as He perfectly performed the Father's will ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "Apart from Me you can do nothing")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 9:2

For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.