2 Corinthians 8:12 Meaning and Explanation
“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God accepts a gift by the willingness behind it and by what one has, not by what one lacks.
What Does 2 Corinthians 8:12 Mean?
Paul lays down a freeing principle. 'If there be first a willing mind,' a ready and eager heart, the gift is 'accepted.' And the measure of acceptance is 'according to that a man hath,' what he actually possesses, 'and not according to that he hath not.' No one is judged by what they cannot give.
This is one of Scripture's most reassuring words about giving. God weighs the heart, not the sum. The widow's coin and the rich man's gold are measured by the love and willingness behind them. The poor need not feel shame, nor the rich presume; both are received by the same standard of a willing heart giving from what it has. Such grace lifts every burden of comparison and lets each person give in freedom and joy.
2 Corinthians 8:12 in the Original Language
prothumia (προθυμία), 'willing mind' -- ready eagerness; the glad inclination of a heart prepared to give.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 8:12
What does 2 Corinthians 8:12 mean?
God accepts a gift by the willingness behind it and by what one has, not by what one lacks.