5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
5 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.
5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
5 This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives.
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:5
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:1-6
(Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-6)
The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the Macedonians. So far from needing that Paul should urge them, they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we use or lay out for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we give for charitable uses, will not be accepted of God, nor turn to our advantage, unless we first give ourselves to the Lord. By ascribing all really good works to the grace of God, we not only give the glory to him whose due it is, but also show men where their strength is. Abundant spiritual joy enlarges men's hearts in the work and labour of love. How different this from the conduct of those who will not join in any good work, unless urged into it!