2 Corinthians 8:6

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

Insomuch {G1519} that we {G2248} desired {G3870} Titus {G5103}, that {G2443} as {G2531} he had begun {G4278}, so {G3779} he would {G2005} also {G2532} finish {G2005} in {G1519} you {G5209} the same {G5026} grace {G5485} also {G2532}.

All this has led us to urge Titus to bring this same gracious gift to completion among you, since he has already made a beginning of it.

So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.

Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

2 Corinthians 8:6 reveals Paul's strategic approach to completing the collection for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. Having already commended the Corinthian church for their willingness to contribute, Paul now urges them to follow through on their commitment, leveraging the trusted ministry of Titus.

Context

This verse is nestled within Paul's extensive appeal to the Corinthian church regarding the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. Paul has just highlighted the extraordinary generosity of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their own poverty, gave sacrificially and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Their giving was presented not merely as a duty but as a manifestation of God's grace working within them. The Corinthians had previously expressed their eagerness to participate in this collection, and Titus had been instrumental in initiating the process among them. Paul's desire here is to ensure that what was begun in enthusiasm is brought to a full and faithful completion.

Key Themes

  • Completing Good Works: The verse emphasizes the importance of follow-through. It's not enough to start a good work; faithfulness demands its completion. Paul desired that the Corinthians would finish what they had so eagerly begun, demonstrating steadfastness in their commitment to Christian charity.
  • Grace in Giving: The phrase "the same grace also" refers to the grace of giving. Paul consistently presents generous giving not as a burdensome obligation but as a spiritual enablement and privilege, a manifestation of God's unmerited favor working through believers. This echoes the Macedonian example, where their giving was attributed to "the grace of God" (2 Corinthians 8:1).
  • Leadership and Follow-Through: Titus's role is crucial. As he had "begun" the work, Paul desired that he would also "finish" it. This highlights the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding believers not just to initiate but to complete acts of service and generosity, ensuring consistency and accountability within the body of Christ.
  • Partnership in Ministry: The collection itself symbolized the unity of the early church, with Gentile believers supporting their Jewish brethren in Jerusalem. It was a tangible expression of Christian fellowship and mutual care (Romans 15:26).

Linguistic Insights

The term "grace" (Greek: charis) is central here. While often referring to God's unmerited favor for salvation, in this context, it extends to the divine enablement and spiritual disposition that empowers believers to give generously. It's the "grace of giving" or the "gift of liberality." The words "begun" (Greek: proenarxato) and "finish" (Greek: epitelese) underscore the desire for a comprehensive and complete execution of the task, from initiation to conclusion, highlighting Paul's emphasis on diligence and reliability.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless principles for believers today:

  • Fulfilling Commitments: Just as the Corinthians were encouraged to complete their promised contribution, we are called to be faithful in fulfilling our commitments, whether in ministry, personal relationships, or financial pledges. Integrity is demonstrated by follow-through.
  • Giving as an Act of Grace: Our generosity is not merely a human effort but a response to and an extension of God's grace in our lives. Recognizing this transforms giving from a burden into a joyous privilege, a channel through which God's blessings flow to others. This aligns with the principle of cheerful giving from the heart.
  • Value of Dedicated Leadership: The example of Titus reminds us of the importance of leaders who not only inspire action but also diligently guide and support believers in completing their good works.
  • Mutual Support within the Body: The collection for Jerusalem serves as a model for how believers across different regions or contexts can support one another, demonstrating the practical outworking of Christian love and unity.

Reflection

2 Corinthians 8:6 serves as a powerful reminder that Christian living involves not just good intentions but also faithful execution. It challenges us to reflect on areas where we may have started strong but need to press on to complete the "same grace" that God has begun in us, whether through acts of giving, service, or personal spiritual disciplines. It is through such consistent obedience that God's grace is fully manifested and glorified.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:18

    I desired Titus, and with [him] I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? [walked we] not in the same steps?

  • 2 Corinthians 8:19

    And not [that] only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [declaration of] your ready mind:

  • 2 Corinthians 8:4

    Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:16

    ¶ But thanks [be] to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:17

    For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

  • Philippians 4:18

    But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:5

    Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not as [of] covetousness.

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