“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.”
And they exceeded our expectations: they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us in keeping with God's will — the order matters theologically: self-surrender to God precedes generosity toward others. Their gift of money is the *outflow* of their prior surrender of *themselves* to the Lord. This is not a commercial transaction but an overflow of a reordered allegiance.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 8:5
“And” this, “not as we hoped.” This he says with reference both to the amount and to their afflictions. 'For we could never have hoped,' he says, 'that while in so great affliction and poverty, they would even have urged us and so greatly intreated us.' He showed also their carefulness of life in other respects, by saying, “But first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.” 'For in everything their obedience was beyond our expectations; nor…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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