And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Not as we hoped - They far exceeded our expectations, for they consecrated themselves entirely to the work of God; giving themselves and all they possessed first unto the Lord; and then, as they saw that it was the will of God that they should come especially forward in this charitable work, they gave themselves to us, to assist to the uttermost in providing relief for the suffering Christians in Judea.
Related Commentaries of 2 Corinthians 8:5
2 Corinthians 8:5
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.