What Does 2 Corinthians 8:17 Mean in the King James?

For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
2 Corinthians 8:17 · KJV
The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

An appeal can be received, yet the decisive movement can still be freely chosen.

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.

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.

A request can be received while the response still arises willingly from the person who answers it.

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
Exodus 25:2 · KJVThe offering is received from a willing heart, so the giving carries the giver’s own choice.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 · KJVGiving takes its shape from what a person purposes in the heart, rather than from necessity.
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1 Peter 5:2 · KJVThe work is carried out willingly, with readiness rather than constraint.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
2 Corinthians 8:3 · KJV

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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2 Corinthians 8:17 KJV Meaning: An appeal can be received