Verses 6-9: An Analysis Of Titus's Act Of Generosity
Verses 6-9: So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
6 Paul intends to send Titus back from Macedonia to Corinth. Titus “had earlier made a beginning” of the task of collecting the offering from the Corinthians. The “grace of generosity” has been deposited in the Corinthians. Paul would like them to complete the act of grace. Titus was sent back to deliver this letter and oversee the …show more content…
• Knowledge: Learning and applying sound doctrine to the issues of life.
• Complete earnestness: Eagerness or spiritual passion or enthusiasm. They were quick to cooperate.
• Love: Sacrificial love (agape)which is genuine. This love has been kindled in the Corinthians.
These are gifts conferred by the Holy Spirit. Since they have excelled in these areas, Paul encourages them to excel in the grace of giving as well.
8 This may sound like an order, but Paul is not commanding them to give. He is testing the sincerity of their love by comparing it with the eagerness of others. The real test of love is actions, not feelings. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). As John said, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” (1 John 4:20,
6 Paul intends to send Titus back from Macedonia to Corinth. Titus “had earlier made a beginning” of the task of collecting the offering from the Corinthians. The “grace of generosity” has been deposited in the Corinthians. Paul would like them to complete the act of grace. Titus was sent back to deliver this letter and oversee the …show more content…
• Knowledge: Learning and applying sound doctrine to the issues of life.
• Complete earnestness: Eagerness or spiritual passion or enthusiasm. They were quick to cooperate.
• Love: Sacrificial love (agape)which is genuine. This love has been kindled in the Corinthians.
These are gifts conferred by the Holy Spirit. Since they have excelled in these areas, Paul encourages them to excel in the grace of giving as well.
8 This may sound like an order, but Paul is not commanding them to give. He is testing the sincerity of their love by comparing it with the eagerness of others. The real test of love is actions, not feelings. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). As John said, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” (1 John 4:20,