2 Corinthians 8:10

“And herein I give my advice, etc..] As Daniel did to Nebuchadnezzar, (<270427>Daniel 4:27). The apostle did not choose to make use of his apostolical authority, or give orders, as he sometimes did in such cases; he did not think fit to speak by way of commandment, obliging them to what they ought to do willingly; looking upon this the most prudential step, and wisest method he could take in order to succeed, only to give his judgment in this matter, as what would be best for them, and most conducive to their real good: for this is expedient for you; most versions read it, “profitable”; doing acts of beneficence is profitable to persons, as to things temporal, God usually blessing such with a…”

“advice--Herein he does not (as some misinterpret the passage) disclaim inspiration for the advice he gives; but under the Spirit, states that it is his "opinion" [ALFORD] or "judgment" [ELLICOTT, and others], not a command, that so their offering might be free and spontaneous. this--my giving you an advice, not a command. who have begun before--"seeing that ye have begun before" the Macedonian churches; "a year ago" should be connected with this clause. not only to do, but also to be forward--There were three steps: (1) the forwardness, more literally, "the will"; (2) the setting about it, literally, "doing it"; (3) completion of it [ALFORD]. In the two former, not only the act, but the…”

“And herein I give my advice - Not undertaking to command them, or to prescribe how much they should give. Advice will go much further than commands on the subject of charities. For this is expedient for you - (συμφέρει sumpherei). That is, this will be of advantage to you; it will be profitable; it will be becoming. The idea is, that they were bound by a regard to consistency and to their own welfare, to perform what they had purposed. It became them; it was proper, and was demanded; and there would have been manifest disadvantages if it had not been done. Who have begun before - Who commenced the collection a year before; see 2 Corinthians 8:6. It had been commenced with fair prospects of…”

“8:10 What you started a year ago was the collection of an offering for Jerusalem, prompted by 1 Cor 16:1-2. So this letter is to be dated at least one year after 1 Corinthians.”

“I give: Co1 7:25, Co1 7:40 expedient: Co2 12:1; Pro 19:17; Mat 10:42; Joh 11:50, Joh 16:7, Joh 18:14; Co1 6:12, Co1 10:23; Phi 4:17; Ti1 6:18, Ti1 6:19; Heb 13:16; Jam 2:15, Jam 2:16 to be: Co2 8:8, Co2 9:2 forward: Gr. willing, Co2 8:3 2 Corinthians 8:12”