Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 8:5

5 And this they did, not as we hoped , but first gave themselves to the Lord, and unto us, by the will of God .

We might have hoped for something from them, though they were in that poor afflicted condition; but what they brought was much beyond what we could hope for, or expect from them. Or else this Phrase may refer to what followeth:

They did not only bring us their Gi[illegible: 1 letter]t, but they also gave up themselves to us, to be disposed of for the good of the Church, according to the Will of God; for they first gave themselves up to the Lord, devoting themselves to his Service and Glory, and then to us, the Will of God so ruling and directing them.