10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward
10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.
10 So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale.
10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;
10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:10
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:10-15
(Read 2 Corinthians 8:10-15)
Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance. When men purpose that which is good, and endeavour, according to their ability, to perform also, God will not reject them for what it is not in their power to do. But this scripture will not justify those who think good meanings are enough, or that good purposes, and the mere profession of a willing mind, are enough to save. Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world, and to some less, that those who have abundance might supply others who are in want. It is the will of God, that by our mutual supplying one another, there should be some sort of equality; not such a levelling as would destroy property, for in such a case there could be no exercise of charity. All should think themselves concerned to relieve those in want. This is shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the wilderness, Exodus 16:18. Those who have most of this world, have no more than food and raiment; and those who have but little of this world, seldom are quite without them.