Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Beyond their power (para dunamin). "Alongside" with accusative like uper dunamin in II Corinthians 1:8. Field (Ot. Nov.) quotes Josephus (Ant. iii. 6, 1) for kata dunamin and para dunamin as here. Few give kata dunamin (according to actual ability). Paul commends this high pressure collection because of the emergency.
Of their own accord (auqairetoi). Old verbal adjective (autos, airetov from aireomai, to choose), of their own initiative, voluntary. Only here and verse II Corinthians 8:17 in N.T. Papyri often have ekousiwv kai auqairetwv (willingly and voluntarily).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 2 Corinthians 8:3:
2 Thessalonians 1:4
Hebrews 10:24
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