“For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;”
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability — Paul himself witnesses (*martýreō*) to their giving, making the apostle an attestor to grace rather than a mere administrator. Their giving exceeds rational capacity: they give *hyper tēn dýnamin*, beyond their power, revealing that grace breaks the constraints of mere human ability. This voluntary self-transcendence points toward the Incarnation itself.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 8:3
“For according to their power, I bear witness.” Trustworthy is the witness. “And beyond their power.” That is, it “abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” Or rather, he makes this plain, not by this expression alone, but also by all that follows; for he says, “of their own accord.” Lo! Yet another excessiveness.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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