2 Corinthians 8:5

KJV

And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} this they did, not {G3756} as {G2531} we hoped {G1679}, but {G235} first {G4412} gave {G1325} their own selves {G1438} to the Lord {G2962}, and {G2532} unto us {G2254} by {G1223} the will {G2307} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Also, they didn’t do this in the way we had expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord, which means, by God’s will, to us.

Berean Standard Bible

And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God.

American Standard Version

and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Corinthians 8:5 reveals the profound spiritual foundation of the Macedonian churches' extraordinary generosity. Far exceeding the Apostle Paul's expectations, these believers first surrendered themselves completely to the Lord, and subsequently, by God's divine will, committed themselves to Paul and his ministry. This verse underscores that genuine Christian giving and service flow from a prior, wholehearted dedication of one's entire being to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the beginning of Paul's extended appeal to the Corinthian church concerning the collection for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8-9). Paul introduces the Macedonian churches as a compelling example of sacrificial giving. Immediately preceding this verse, in [2 Corinthians 8:1-4](/2_corinthians/8-1-4 "The Grace of God in Macedonian Churches"), Paul describes their deep poverty and severe affliction, yet highlights their overflowing joy and extreme generosity, noting that they gave "beyond their ability" and "implored us with much urgency for the favor of participation in the support of the saints." Verse 5 then explains the spiritual root of this remarkable financial liberality, showing that their material giving was a direct outflow of their prior spiritual commitment. The subsequent verses in [2 Corinthians 8](/2_corinthians/8 "2 Corinthians 8 - The Collection for the Saints") continue to elaborate on the principles of Christian giving, using the Macedonians as a model and Christ as the ultimate example.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem was a significant initiative for Paul, serving multiple purposes: providing material relief to the suffering Jewish Christians, demonstrating the unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, and validating Paul's apostolic ministry. Jerusalem, the birthplace of the church, had faced severe famine and economic hardship, making the support from Gentile churches crucial. The Macedonian churches, located in cities like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, were generally not wealthy. Philippi, for instance, was a Roman colony with a strong military presence, but the churches there, like others in the region, often comprised economically modest believers. Their "deep poverty" (as mentioned in [2 Corinthians 8:2](/2_corinthians/8-2 "2 Corinthians 8:2 - Macedonian Poverty and Joy")) makes their exceptional generosity even more striking, highlighting that their giving was not from abundance but from a Spirit-empowered willingness to sacrifice.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Corinthians 8:5](/2_corinthians/8-5 "2 Corinthians 8:5 - The Macedonian Model of Giving") contributes to several key themes within [2 Corinthians](/2_corinthians "2 Corinthians - Paul's Defense of His Ministry and Apostolic Authority") and Paul's broader theology. Firstly, it emphasizes the **priority of spiritual surrender** over material contribution. True Christian giving is not merely financial but stems from a heart fully devoted to God. Secondly, it illustrates the **power of divine grace** at work in believers, enabling them to act beyond human capacity or expectation, as seen in the Macedonians' "overflowing joy" despite their "deep poverty" ([2 Corinthians 8:2](/2_corinthians/8-2 "2 Corinthians 8:2 - Macedonian Poverty and Joy")). Thirdly, the verse highlights **partnership in ministry**, showing that self-giving to the Lord naturally extends to supporting God's appointed servants and their work. Finally, it underscores the **sovereignty of God's will** in inspiring and directing the actions of believers, ensuring that their generosity is not merely human effort but a divinely ordained expression of faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gave (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb signifies a decisive act of giving, bestowing, or delivering. In this context, it emphasizes the voluntary and complete surrender of the Macedonians. It is not merely a passive state but an active, intentional offering of themselves. The wide application of this word in the Greek suggests a comprehensive and unreserved act of commitment.
* **their own selves (Greek, _heautoû'_):** This reflexive pronoun underscores the personal, radical, and total nature of their giving. It highlights that the offering was not external possessions or mere actions, but their very being, their identity, their will, and their future. This was a self-donation, indicating a deep, internal commitment rather than an external obligation.
* **will (Greek, _thélēma'_):** This term denotes a determination, purpose, or decree, as well as an active choice or abstract volition. When applied to God, it refers to His sovereign plan and active intention. Here, it confirms that the Macedonians' extraordinary actions were not random or purely human-initiated but were aligned with and empowered by God's specific desire and design.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [this they did], not as we hoped,"**: This clause immediately establishes the surprising nature of the Macedonians' actions. Paul admits that their response exceeded his expectations, implying that their generosity and commitment were far greater than he had anticipated, even from devoted believers. The parenthetical "[this they did]" clarifies that the preceding description of their grace-filled giving is what is being referred to.
* **"but first gave their own selves to the Lord,"**: This is the pivotal statement, revealing the foundational principle behind their remarkable generosity. Before any material giving, the Macedonians made a primary, complete, and personal surrender of their very being to Christ. This spiritual devotion was the wellspring from which all subsequent actions flowed, establishing a hierarchy of commitment: self to God first.
* **"and unto us by the will of God."**: Following their dedication to the Lord, the Macedonians then committed themselves to Paul and his apostolic team. This was not a secondary, human-initiated act, but a direct consequence and extension of their primary surrender to God, explicitly stated as being "by the will of God." This phrase highlights divine orchestration, indicating that their partnership in ministry was part of God's sovereign plan for them and for the advancement of the Gospel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Contrast** to highlight the exceptional nature of the Macedonians' actions ("not as we hoped, but first..."). This rhetorical device immediately draws the reader's attention to the surprising and profound depth of their commitment. There is also strong **Emphasis** on "their own selves," using the reflexive pronoun to underscore the personal and total nature of their dedication. This highlights that their giving was not superficial but originated from the core of their being. Furthermore, the phrase "by the will of God" serves as a theological **Affirmation**, attributing the extraordinary grace and generosity witnessed in the Macedonians directly to divine inspiration and guidance, rather than mere human effort.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound truth of 2 Corinthians 8:5 is that all genuine Christian service and generosity must flow from a prior, complete surrender of one's self to the Lord. This verse establishes a fundamental theological principle: our external actions, particularly in giving and ministry partnership, are merely the overflow of an internal, spiritual dedication. The Macedonians understood that their lives, resources, and very being belonged to God, and thus, their material contributions were a natural, joyful expression of that foundational relationship. This principle challenges believers to examine the root of their service, ensuring it is grounded in personal devotion to Christ rather than obligation or human expectation.

* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")
* [Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross")
* [Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God Working in Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Corinthians 8:5 offers a powerful and enduring challenge for every believer: before we consider what we can give to God's work, we must first give ourselves entirely to Him. The Macedonians' example teaches us that true generosity is not measured by the amount of money or effort, but by the depth of personal surrender that precedes it. When our lives are fully yielded to the Lord, our giving—whether of time, talent, or treasure—becomes a joyful, natural, and Spirit-empowered expression of our devotion, rather than a grudging duty. This principle calls us to a radical reorientation of priorities, where our identity and resources are seen as belonging to God, to be used according to His will. It encourages us to cultivate a heart that seeks God's pleasure and purpose above all else, knowing that from such a heart flows genuine and impactful service for His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life have I truly given "my own self to the Lord" without reservation?**
* **How does the Macedonians' example challenge my current approach to giving and serving in the church?**
* **Do I view my contributions to ministry as an obligation, or as a joyful outflow of my surrender to Christ?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more complete personal dedication to the Lord in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "give their own selves to the Lord"?**

Answer: To "give their own selves to the Lord" means to make a complete and unreserved surrender of one's entire being—including one's will, desires, possessions, time, talents, and future—to the lordship of Jesus Christ. It signifies a primary commitment where one acknowledges God's ultimate ownership and authority over every aspect of life. This is not merely a one-time decision but an ongoing posture of submission and devotion, akin to presenting one's body as a "living sacrifice" as exhorted in [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices"). It implies that all subsequent actions, particularly in service and generosity, flow from this foundational spiritual dedication.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Macedonian believers' act of first giving "their own selves to the Lord" profoundly foreshadows and reflects the ultimate act of Christ's self-giving. Jesus, though rich in divine glory and equality with God, "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")), ultimately giving His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). His entire earthly ministry, culminating in His death on the cross, was an unparalleled act of self-surrender to the Father's will, even to the point of death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedience to Death")). The Macedonians' generosity, therefore, is a beautiful outworking of the grace of God modeled by Christ Himself, who "for your sakes became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Example of Giving")). Believers are called to emulate this pattern of Christ-like self-sacrifice, recognizing that our lives are no longer our own, but have been "bought with a price" ([1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Bought with a Price")), compelling us to live for Him who died and rose again ([2 Corinthians 5:15](/2_corinthians/5-15 "2 Corinthians 5:15 - Living for Christ")).

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

Romans 12:1

¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

2 Corinthians 8:1

¶ Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

Romans 14:7

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Romans 14:9

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Romans 6:13

Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God.

2 Chronicles 30:12

Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 12:18

Then the spirit came upon Amasai, [who was] chief of the captains, [and he said], Thine [are we], David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace [be] unto thee, and peace [be] to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.