complete verse (2 Corinthians 8:3)

Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Corinthians 8:3:

  • Uma: “I have seen the bigness of their hearts in giving [i.e., they are proud to do it]. They give according to their ability, or even more than their ability. Nobody forced them, it was out of the whiteness of their own hearts [i.e., out of grace, their own initiative].” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “I can witness that they gave up to their capacity and even above their capacity. It was just their own wish/desire that they gave.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “I can testify that they did as much as they could do, and even more than they could do, in giving and it came from the whiteness of their liver (from the goodness of their heart).” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I can confirm that what they gave, it was not merely according to what they were able to give but rather more than they were able. And they were the ones who decided (lit. were the owners of the thought) to give-it.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “I am really testifying here that they did not just give what they were able to, but rather they exceeded it. And it’s not that they were forced, this was really their own desire.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “I give a true testimony that the help they give is given with all their hearts. Concerning what they decided to give, even more above that is what they gave.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:3

For introduces the description of how the Macedonians gave so generously.

They gave: these words are not actually in the Greek text of verse 3; they are introduced from verse 5. But in most languages it will be essential to have such a verb at this point.

According to their means: literally “according to power.” Good News Translation correctly translates the sense as much “as they could.” This expression stands in parallel with beyond their means, which follows. Together they are translated by Contemporary English Version “as much as they could afford and even more.” In some languages the second expression may be translated “they went beyond the limit….”

As I can testify means that Paul serves as a witness; that is, he has personal knowledge of the situation and can therefore speak reliably regarding the Macedonian Christians. Note that Good News Translation shifts this forward to the beginning of the verse, translating “I can assure you….” This may be a good model to follow in other languages.

Of their own free will: these words may be considered a part of the sentence which precedes, that is, the Macedonians gave of their own free will (so Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy), or to the sentence which follows in verse 4, that is, of their own free will they begged to take part in the collection (so Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Translator’s New Testament, Bible en français courant). The latter interpretation follows the punctuation of the UBS Greek New Testament and is probably more likely.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .