Performance and Readiness to a Performance 2 Corinthians 8:11

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth how he, gave his “advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago”, and in chapter eight and verse eleven of Second Corinthians, Paul shares with the Corinthian church members about their, “performance and readiness to a performance” where we read:

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 you have.

The verse begins, “Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, ...” Paul began with the word, “now” which means “at this time and moreover” “therefore” which means “even, also and indeed” “perform” which refers to “bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute and complete” “the doing of it” which means “the making, preparing, producing or acquiring”; “that as there was a readiness” which refers to “in the same way there was zeal, spirit, eagerness and inclination” “to will” or “to have in mind, resolve, purpose or desire”. Paul shared how the church members not only “gave” but had a “eager resolve” to do so.

The verse continues, “... so there may be a performance also out of that which you have.” Paul added the words, “so there may be a performance” which means “that there would be an end, accomplishing, perfecting, executing or completing” “also” or “even as and indeed” “out of ” or “by and away from” “that which you have” which refers to “that which the church members hold, own and possess”. Paul desired for the church members to “give” from that which they had.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how he acknowledged the performance and readiness to “give” to the ministry, and he wanted them to “perform” from that which they already possessed. Jesus Christ loves for believers in Him to “give” toward the ministry, and when Paul recognized the Macedonian “givers”, he hoped the Corinthians would be inspired as well. They were according to that which they possessed, and those who are wise believers shall be inspired by these who not only were “willing” to “give”, but also “performed” according to that which they had.

Next time Paul shares with the church members what happens, “if there be first a willing mind”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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