2 Corinthians 8:5 – “And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.”

Extended Explanation

Paul continues speaking about the generosity of the Macedonian believers. He has already described how they gave joyfully, despite their poverty, and how they even begged for the opportunity to give. Now, he reveals the foundation of their generosity: they gave themselves first to the Lord before giving their financial support.

This means that their generosity wasn’t just about money—it was a reflection of their total surrender to God. Their financial giving was simply an overflow of a deeper commitment. They understood that their lives, their resources, and everything they had belonged to God. Because of this, they were willing to serve however He led them, which included supporting Paul’s ministry and helping struggling Christians in Jerusalem.

Paul says that their giving “exceeded expectations.” Why? Because their generosity wasn’t calculated or reluctant—it was driven by a heart fully surrendered to God. Giving was not something they did out of obligation, but because they belonged to the Lord.

Historical Context

The churches in Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) were facing persecution, poverty, and hardship. The Roman Empire heavily taxed the region, and many believers faced social and economic exclusion because of their faith. Yet, despite all this, they were among the most generous supporters of Paul’s ministry.

At the time, Paul was organizing a collection to help the struggling Christians in Jerusalem, who were suffering from famine (Acts 11:27-30). While the Corinthians had promised to contribute, they had been slow to follow through. The Macedonians, on the other hand, eagerly gave, even though they had much less.

Their giving went beyond money—it was an act of worship and surrender to God. This is what Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand: generosity starts with giving ourselves to God, not just giving our resources.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights an important spiritual truth:

• True generosity starts with surrendering to God. The Macedonians’ giving was a reflection of their deep relationship with God. They gave themselves first to the Lord, and their financial support was a natural response.
• God’s will guides our giving. Paul says that after giving themselves to the Lord, they gave “by the will of God.” Their generosity wasn’t based on human expectations but on what God led them to do.
• Giving is an act of worship. When we belong fully to God, giving is no longer a burden—it becomes a joyful act of devotion.

This verse teaches that giving is not just about money—it’s about offering ourselves to God completely, and that includes everything we have.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s words here emphasize the depth of the Macedonians’ generosity:

• “They exceeded our expectations” – Paul is amazed at their generosity, showing that they went far beyond what was normal or expected.
• “They gave themselves first of all to the Lord” – This is the key to their generosity. Their financial giving was simply a reflection of their full commitment to God.
• “Then by the will of God also to us” – They didn’t just give randomly; they gave as God led them, supporting Paul’s mission and the Jerusalem believers.

Paul is showing that true giving flows from a surrendered heart. The Macedonians weren’t just donating—they were serving God through their generosity.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
• Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
• Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
• Mark 12:41-44 – The widow’s offering, where she gave all she had as an act of devotion to God.
• Luke 16:13 – Jesus teaches that we cannot serve both God and money—our hearts must belong fully to God.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a reminder that generosity is not just about money—it’s about fully belonging to God. Many people struggle with giving because they haven’t first surrendered themselves to the Lord. But when we give ourselves to God completely, generosity follows naturally.

This also challenges Christians to examine their motives. Are we giving out of obligation, or is our generosity an act of worship? The Macedonians remind us that joyful giving starts with a heart that is fully devoted to God.

It also teaches that generosity is not just about finances. God calls us to give our time, energy, talents, and entire lives for His purposes. Financial giving is just one part of a bigger picture of faithful stewardship.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse reveals God’s love in several ways:

1. God desires a relationship, not just our resources. The Macedonians gave because they had first given themselves to God. True generosity starts with knowing Him personally.
2. God leads His people in generosity. Their giving was done “by the will of God.” This means they didn’t give randomly; they were guided by God’s purpose. When we surrender to Him, He directs how we use our resources.
3. God blesses those who give themselves fully to Him. The Macedonians’ example shows that when we trust God with everything, He provides for us and uses us to bless others.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the ultimate example of giving Himself first to the will of God. The Macedonians gave themselves to God before giving their money, and Jesus fully surrendered to the Father before giving His life for us.

Paul later connects this idea in 2 Corinthians 8:9:

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

Other connections to Christ:

• John 6:38 – “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me.”
• Philippians 2:5-8 – Jesus humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death on a cross.
• Matthew 26:39 – In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

The Macedonians’ generosity reflected the heart of Christ—they surrendered fully to God first, and everything else flowed from that.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you truly given yourself to the Lord, or are you holding parts of your life back?
2. Do you see giving as an obligation or as an act of worship?
3. How does surrendering to God change the way you view generosity?
4. In what areas of life do you need to trust God more fully?
5. How does Jesus’ example of surrender and giving challenge you to live differently?

This verse is a powerful reminder that generosity is not just about money—it starts with giving ourselves fully to God. When we do that, everything else, including our finances, naturally follows. True giving is an act of worship, a reflection of our relationship with Him, and a response to the grace we have received in Jesus Christ.