What Does 2 Corinthians 8:17 Mean?
For he received the urging, but being more eager, of his own accord he went out to you.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.THE KEY
An appeal can be received, yet the decisive movement can still be freely chosen.
THE MEANING
An appeal can meet you as an invitation while the movement that follows remains your own. Receiving the urging does not cancel willingness; the response reaches outward because it is chosen.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the belief that once you accept a request, your response is only compliance. The appeal and freely chosen initiative stand together here.
THE ROOT
αὐθαίρετος
authairetos
GROWS FROM
αἱρέομαι
haireomai
Choose or take for oneself.
The word translated “of his own accord” carries the sense of self-choice. He receives the appeal, yet his movement toward them comes from a choice of his own.
ALSO GROWS
hairesis: Choice; a chosen course or party.
αἵρεσις
This branch makes the element of choosing explicit in the idea of acting “of his own accord.”
hairetizō: Choose or select.
αἱρετίζω
This verb also names choosing, bringing out the initiative contained in the word for “accord.”
παράκλησις
paraklēsis
GROWS FROM
παρακαλέω
parakaleō
Comfort or urge; make an appeal.
“Exhortation” here is an appeal or urging that he receives. Set beside the word for self-chosen action, it shows that an appeal can be welcomed without becoming compulsion.
ALSO GROWS
paraklēsis: Appeal, urging, or consolation.
παράκλησις
This is the appeal he accepts; its place beside a word for self-choice shows that receiving an urging can coexist with freedom.
paraklētos: Advocate or comforter.
παράκλητος
This related word can name one who advocates or consoles, showing the appeal within a relationship of support.
THE PATTERN
A request can be received while the response still arises willingly from the person who answers it.
Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring me a lifted offering. From every man whose heart stirs him to give, you take my lifted offering.Each one, as his heart has taken hold, so let him give, not from grief or from pressure, for God loves a glad giver.Shepherd the flock of God among you, watching over it, not by force but willingly, according to God; and not for shameful gain but eagerly.THE THREAD
For according to their strength I bear witness, and beyond their strength they were willing of their own accord.The same Greek word rendered “willing of themselves” here appears as “of his own accord” in the current verse. Its repetition reveals the same movement: an appeal is received, and a person chooses to act.
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