2 Corinthians 8:6 kjv
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:6 nkjv
So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.
2 Corinthians 8:6 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.
2 Corinthians 8:6 esv
Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.
2 Corinthians 8:6 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.
2 Corinthians 8 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 8:6 | Therefore, we urged Titus that, just as he had begun, so he should also complete among you this gracious work. | Completion of Spiritual Works |
| Prov 23:6 | Do not eat the bread of a covetous man, and do not desire his delicacies. | Desire and Greed |
| Eccles 5:4-5 | When you vow a vow to God, do not delay in performing it, for God has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better not to vow than to vow and not pay. | Vows and Fulfillment |
| Phil 1:6 | And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. | Divine Completion |
| Gal 6:9 | Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. | Perseverance in Goodness |
| 1 Thess 5:23-24 | May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. | Complete Sanctification |
| Heb 12:1-2 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. | Endurance and Perfection |
| Col 1:10 | so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. | Fruitful Living |
| Rom 12:1 | I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. | Living Sacrifice |
| 1 Cor 15:58 | Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. | Steadfastness in Work |
| John 13:1 | Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. | Love to the End |
| 2 Thess 3:13 | As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. | Not Growing Weary in Good |
| Mark 4:14-20 | The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path where the word is sown: when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who when they hear the word immediately receive it with joy, but they have no root in themselves, and only endure for a time; then when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And these are the ones sown among thorns: it is those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things intrude and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good soil: the ones who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold or sixtyfold or a hundredfold. | The Parable of the Sower |
| 2 Cor 9:2 | For I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your zeal has spurred them on. | Readiness and Zeal |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Cheerful Giving |
| 1 Chron 29:18 | O LORD, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, preserve in the thoughts of their hearts forever the tendency and concern of their hearts toward you. | Purity of Heart |
| Luke 1:37 | For with God nothing will be impossible. | God's Power |
| Psalm 147:11 | but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. | Fear and Hope in God |
| Proverbs 3:9-10 | Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. | Honoring God with Wealth |
| James 1:22 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. | Doers of the Word |
2 Corinthians 8 verses
2 Corinthians 8 6 Meaning
This verse emphasizes that true spiritual progress is measured not by starting a good work, but by completing it. It connects generosity with readiness of mind and action. It highlights the importance of following through on commitments.
2 Corinthians 8 6 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 8 is part of an extended discussion by Paul about the collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Paul had previously tasked Titus with a mission to Corinth concerning this collection (as noted in 2 Cor 12:18). In chapter 8, Paul is commending the churches in Macedonia for their generosity despite their own poverty (2 Cor 8:1-5). He then uses the Corinthians' own prior zeal as a point of encouragement for them to complete their pledge for this collection. The urgency to complete the task is set against the backdrop of ensuring there is equality between the abundance of the Macedonian believers and the need of the Corinthian believers, so that neither is eased at the expense of the other (2 Cor 8:13-15).
2 Corinthians 8 6 Word Analysis
Therefore (μὲν οὖν - men oun): Connects this instruction to the preceding discussion about the Macedonians' example and the Corinthians' existing readiness. It signifies a logical consequence or transition.
we urged (παρεκάλεσαμεν - parekalasamen): "To call to one's side," to entreat, exhort, or encourage. Paul and his companions had encouraged Titus to go to Corinth and take up this matter.
Titus (Τίτον - Titon): A trusted companion of Paul, a Gentile convert, and an emissary often sent to the churches to resolve issues or advance the gospel. He played a crucial role in this Corinthian collection.
as he had begun (καθὼς ἤρξατο - kathōs ērxato): Refers to a previous initiation of the collection or a demonstrable willingness and commitment by the Corinthians.
so he should also complete (οὕτως καὶ ἐπιτελέσαι - houtōs kai epitelēsai): "To finish," "accomplish," "perfect," or "bring to full realization." This is the core of the exhortation – to finish what was started. It speaks to completion and fulfillment.
among you (εἰς ὑμᾶς - eis hymas): Directed towards the church in Corinth.
this gracious work (τὴν χάριν τοῦτο – tēn charin touto): "This grace," or "this gift/favor." The "gracious work" refers to the benevolent contribution being made. The use of "grace" links the act of giving to God's own gracious provision. It frames the act of giving not as an obligation but as an expression of God's grace in their lives.
Words/Phrases Group Analysis:
- "as he had begun, so he should also complete": This encapsulates the concept of faithful follow-through. It's not enough to have good intentions or start a good deed; maturity and godliness are demonstrated by seeing it through to completion. This echoes principles of steadfastness and finishing the race (Heb 12:1-2).
2 Corinthians 8 6 Bonus Section
The concept of completing a spiritual work is multifaceted. It implies not just financial giving, but also the perseverance in faith, the development of character, and the bringing of spiritual projects to maturity. The "gracious work" here refers to the Corinthians' intended contribution to the suffering saints in Jerusalem. This act, initiated with enthusiasm, needed completion to be fully meaningful and effective. The emphasis on completion contrasts with the idea of partial effort or abandoned commitments. It points to the maturity of the Corinthian church in bringing their commitment, rooted in God's grace, to its intended end. The phrase "your readiness" (2 Cor 9:2) mentioned previously by Paul suggests they had already shown a positive inclination, making the exhortation to complete the natural next step.
2 Corinthians 8 6 Commentary
Paul's instruction to Titus to complete the "gracious work" among the Corinthians highlights the importance of finishing what has been started. This isn't just about the charitable collection itself, but a broader principle of faithfulness and perseverance in Christian endeavors. The Macedonians were commended for their readiness and zeal (2 Cor 8:2), and Paul calls the Corinthians to similar diligence, not just in starting but in completing their offering. This emphasizes that a commitment made in faith must be brought to fruition. The completion of the work is presented as an act of grace, reflecting God’s own consistent and faithful provision for His people. It's a call to translate spiritual disposition into tangible action and completion.