2 Corinthians 8:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.

NIV: So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.

NASB: So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

CSB: So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete among you this act of grace.

NLT: So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.

KJV: Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

NKJV: So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.

This marks a turn in Paul's focus. He has been praising the churches in Macedonia for their generous giving to aid suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Here, he will pivot to asking the Corinthians to follow through on their own commitment. Specifically, Paul says he has asked Titus to return to Corinth to collect the funds as a way of completing "this act of grace."

Paul often describes Christian giving to meet the needs of others as an act of grace. That makes sense. God gives grace to believers through faith in Christ. This grace comes as a good gift we could never earn. In the same way, Christians give money to others that they are not obligated to give simply out of a spirit of love and kindness.

Paul again seems to be sending Titus on a difficult mission to Corinth. The first time the Corinthians met Paul's associate in ministry, he was delivering a letter of rebuke from Paul for their sin. Apparently, though, Titus and the Corinthians encouraged each other and got along well (2 Corinthians 7:14–16). Now Paul is sending Titus back with the duty of collecting from the Corinthians the monies they had previously agreed to give to the believers in Jerusalem. Paul seems to be aware that perhaps not all in Corinth will still be eager to give to meet this need.

Second Corinthians 8:1–15 begins with Paul's praise for the churches in Macedonia. These believers begged to be included in giving to a collection for the suffering Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their own commitment to do the same thing of their own free will as an act of grace. In doing so, they will also be following the example of Jesus' sacrifice for them. They should give proportionally, using their abundance to meet the need of other believers so that all may have enough.

The Corinthians had previously agreed to contribute to a collection. This was for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Paul raises the issue with them, pointing to the example of the poverty-stricken Macedonian churches who had given beyond their means of their own free will. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their commitment by their own choice. Titus and two representatives of other churches are coming to Corinth to oversee the collection so it is done with integrity. Paul urges the Corinthians to prove their love by following through on their commitment to give.

Second Corinthians 8 follows Paul's expression of comfort and rejoicing at what he learned from Titus. That news explained the Corinthians' repentance in response to Paul's letter of rebuke. Next Paul urges them to follow through on a commitment to contribute to a collection for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He points to the example of the generous gifts of the poverty-stricken Macedonian churches and asks the Corinthians to prove that their own Christlike love for others is genuine by excelling in this, as well. Titus and two delegates from other churches will come to Corinth to oversee the collection. In chapter 9, Paul will continue to discuss this ministry opportunity.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.