Bible verse
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.
2 Corinthians 8:5 · BSB
The verses around it, from 2 Corinthians 8.
1 Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.
2 In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.
3 For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,
4 they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
5 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.
6 So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.
7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
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.
ASV
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.
ERV
and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.
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Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.