Charles Spurgeon Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:11

"But now complete the doing also; that as [there was] the readiness to will, so [there may be] the completion also out of your ability." — 2 Corinthians 8:11 (ASV)

Now therefore perform the doing of it;

"Do not let your good resolves be buried; let them be turned into action: 'Now therefore perform the doing of it.' So I might say to you who are here. "You have purposed, you have determined, you have resolved a great many times; 'Now therefore perform the doing of it.' If it is a good resolve, it will be best to carry it out at once."

Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

They had no minister, you see, and what is everybody's business is nobody's business, and so the contribution was not carried out. In general, the church at Corinth is about the worst in the New Testament, and for this very reason: it had no oversight. It was the pattern church for certain brothers whom we have among us today—who are themselves a prime example of this—and they quote this Corinthian church as an example, whereas it is put here as a beacon, and a very excellent beacon, too, to warn us against any such thing.

Everything was at sixes and sevens, good people as they were. Since they had no order and no discipline, nothing got done, and they exhausted the apostle because of that. God would have things done decently and in order, and he gives to his churches pastors after his own heart, and when he does, then the church is able to carry out her desires and her activities with practical common sense. But here a year ago, months ago, they had talked the matter over and made a promise, and now he has to say to them, Now therefore, perform the doing of it. They had no deacons to look them up, I am bound to say.