2 Corinthians 8:3

μαρτυρῶ. Comp. Galatians 4:15; Romans 10:2; Colossians 4:13.

παρὰ δύναμιν. Stronger than ὑπὲρ δύναμιν (2 Corinthians 1:8). Not to be taken with αὐθαίρετοι, as if the meaning were fecerunt quod potuerunt, et magis quam facultas sineret tribuere voluerunt (Atto Vercell.).

αὐθαίρετοι. In the N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 8:17; not in the LXX. In classical Greek it is more often used of things that are chosen than of persons that choose. Here it means that the Apostle had no need to beg them to help; they begged to be allowed to do so. Tam simpliciter et devote obtulerunt quod ultra vires eorum erat, ut cum lacrymis deprecantes offerrent, ut vel sic cogerent accipi a se quod accipiendum non videbatur, quia plus erat quam poterat eorum substantia (Herveius Burgidol.).