Discovery Box2 Corinthians 8:3-5 
Context8:3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, 1 8:4 begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping 2 the saints. 8:5 And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
2 Corinthians 8:12
Context8:12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself 3 is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have.
1 tn Or “spontaneously.”
2 tn Or “of ministering to.”
3 tn The words “the gift itself” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Translators often supply an English phrase like “it is” (NASB) but in the context, Paul is clearly referring to the collection Titus was to oversee (2 Cor 8:4-7). Therefore there is no reason not to specify the referent (the gift) more narrowly for clarity.
