2Cor.8.5

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.

2Cor.8.5

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.

2Cor.8.5

And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

2Cor.8.5

And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.