2 Corinthians 8:16-24 says...
Today's verses are 2 Corinthians 8:16-24, which read,
v.16, 17 - But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.
Titus was the one who delivered the severe sorrowful letter of exposing sin that led to repentance to the Christians in Corinth. Titus is the one who brought back the news of their repentance to Paul. Titus has grown in his love for the Christians in the Corinthian church. As Paul writes to these churches that consist of a group of Christians, he also conveys the joy and thanks for each one individually as he mentions Titus specifically here. You get the sense that Paul is concerned spiritually about the numbers of those coming to Christ but also the number one of each individual Christian and their walk with the Lord. Paul sees that Titus is growing in the Lord and he gives thanks to God for it.
v.18-22 - We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches; and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness, taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.
Paul gives us two unnamed men who were to be with Titus on this trip. It is ironic that the one is so well known for the spread of the gospel that he doesn't feel he needs to mention his name here. The other is someone who is very diligent in matters of integrity. Who are they? We don't know but their coming with Titus showed the Christians in Corinth that Paul was very concerned about the gospel being shared and also the administration of this service of God being done in the right way. They would be carrying out this huge endeavor of a great sum of money that would be transported to Jerusalem for the persecuted church and he didn't want this to be a way for the gospel to be discredited.
It was important to Paul how the money and the collection of money was handled and so he put more than one person in charge of it and also the message of what the resources were going for. Paul was putting into place some safeguards that we still hold to today when it comes to the finances of the church and where the resources are going. We look for people of proven integrity and love of the gospel to handle the financial resources that come through the church.
v.23, 24 - As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.
Paul ends this chapter with another look at Titus who is committed to the body in Corinth and also these messengers from the churches who have come with him. Paul wanted them to see the Christians in the church in Corinth do something. I think what he wanted them to see the Christians in Corinth opening up their wallets and giving to this need for those persecuted saints in Jerusalem. Paul wanted them to see these Christians who got off track with some false teaching who corrected their ways through repentance to come full circle to be back leading the way with this need. The Christians in Corinth fell down spiritually but they also got back up spiritually through the obedience to the Word of God presented to them from Paul.
Have you fallen down spiritually? Do you find yourself in a place that you know is not in line with the Word of God? The only way up is through repentance and then God wants you to get to your feet and start to proclaiming Him again. It is not the end of the road with when you find yourself down.
"Lord, thank you for Paul's love for the churches but also for the individuals within those churches. Thank you that he names them and prays from them to grow in their walk with You. Bring to my mind names today that I should be praying for or contacting with encouragement within the body of Christ you have placed me. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.16, 17 - But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.
Titus was the one who delivered the severe sorrowful letter of exposing sin that led to repentance to the Christians in Corinth. Titus is the one who brought back the news of their repentance to Paul. Titus has grown in his love for the Christians in the Corinthian church. As Paul writes to these churches that consist of a group of Christians, he also conveys the joy and thanks for each one individually as he mentions Titus specifically here. You get the sense that Paul is concerned spiritually about the numbers of those coming to Christ but also the number one of each individual Christian and their walk with the Lord. Paul sees that Titus is growing in the Lord and he gives thanks to God for it.
v.18-22 - We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches; and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness, taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.
Paul gives us two unnamed men who were to be with Titus on this trip. It is ironic that the one is so well known for the spread of the gospel that he doesn't feel he needs to mention his name here. The other is someone who is very diligent in matters of integrity. Who are they? We don't know but their coming with Titus showed the Christians in Corinth that Paul was very concerned about the gospel being shared and also the administration of this service of God being done in the right way. They would be carrying out this huge endeavor of a great sum of money that would be transported to Jerusalem for the persecuted church and he didn't want this to be a way for the gospel to be discredited.
It was important to Paul how the money and the collection of money was handled and so he put more than one person in charge of it and also the message of what the resources were going for. Paul was putting into place some safeguards that we still hold to today when it comes to the finances of the church and where the resources are going. We look for people of proven integrity and love of the gospel to handle the financial resources that come through the church.
v.23, 24 - As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.
Paul ends this chapter with another look at Titus who is committed to the body in Corinth and also these messengers from the churches who have come with him. Paul wanted them to see the Christians in the church in Corinth do something. I think what he wanted them to see the Christians in Corinth opening up their wallets and giving to this need for those persecuted saints in Jerusalem. Paul wanted them to see these Christians who got off track with some false teaching who corrected their ways through repentance to come full circle to be back leading the way with this need. The Christians in Corinth fell down spiritually but they also got back up spiritually through the obedience to the Word of God presented to them from Paul.
Have you fallen down spiritually? Do you find yourself in a place that you know is not in line with the Word of God? The only way up is through repentance and then God wants you to get to your feet and start to proclaiming Him again. It is not the end of the road with when you find yourself down.
"Lord, thank you for Paul's love for the churches but also for the individuals within those churches. Thank you that he names them and prays from them to grow in their walk with You. Bring to my mind names today that I should be praying for or contacting with encouragement within the body of Christ you have placed me. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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