2 Corinthians 8:3

Authorized King James Version

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For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Original Language Analysis

ὅτι For G3754
ὅτι For
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 1 of 8
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
κατὰ to G2596
κατὰ to
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 2 of 8
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
δύναμιν their power G1411
δύναμιν their power
Strong's: G1411
Word #: 3 of 8
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
μαρτυρῶ I bear record G3140
μαρτυρῶ I bear record
Strong's: G3140
Word #: 4 of 8
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
καὶ yea and G2532
καὶ yea and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 5 of 8
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑπὲρ beyond G5228
ὑπὲρ beyond
Strong's: G5228
Word #: 6 of 8
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
δύναμιν their power G1411
δύναμιν their power
Strong's: G1411
Word #: 7 of 8
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
αὐθαίρετοι they were willing of themselves G830
αὐθαίρετοι they were willing of themselves
Strong's: G830
Word #: 8 of 8
self-chosen, i.e., (by implication) voluntary

Analysis & Commentary

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves—The phrase kata dynamin (κατὰ δύναμιν, 'according to ability') describes normative giving, but Paul immediately adds para dynamin (παρὰ δύναμιν, 'beyond ability'), indicating the Macedonians transcended rational capacity. The preposition para suggests 'alongside, beyond, contrary to'—they gave in defiance of economic logic. The phrase authairetoi (αὐθαίρετοι, 'of their own accord') emphasizes spontaneous volition; no one pressured them.

Paul's witness (martyrō, 'I bear testimony') carries legal weight—he's not exaggerating. The Macedonians gave sacrificially because gospel grace had liberated them from materialism's tyranny. This reflects Jesus's teaching about the widow's two mites (Mark 12:41-44): proportionate sacrifice matters more than absolute amount. Their voluntary enthusiasm stands in implicit contrast to the Corinthians' hesitation, which Paul tactfully addresses throughout chapters 8-9.

Historical Context

The voluntary nature of Macedonian giving countered Roman patronage systems where wealthy elites gave publicly for honor and social advancement. Christian charis-giving operated on entirely different principles: anonymous, sacrificial, rooted in gospel grace rather than civic pride. This radical economic ethic attracted lower-class converts while puzzling Roman observers who saw charity as a means of social control.

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