2 Corinthians 8:16

Titus Sent to Receive the Collection

16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.

2 Corinthians 8:16 in Other Translations

KJV
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
ESV
16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.
NLT
16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have.
MSG
16 I thank God for giving Titus the same devoted concern for you that I have.
CSB
16 Thanks be to God who put the same diligence for you into the heart of Titus.

2 Corinthians 8:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 8:16

But thanks be to God
The apostle proceeds to give an account of the persons and their characters, who were employed in making this collection at Corinth for the poor saints, and begins with Titus; and the rather because he had been already concerned in setting afoot that good work among them; and gives thanks to God,

which,
says he,

put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you,
by "earnest care" is meant that very great carefulness, solicitude, and diligence, Titus had shown in stirring them up to a liberal contribution; and which was the same that he had expressed in the arguments just now used by him, to engage them in the same service; and this care, as it was a very earnest and hearty one, so he suggests that it was more for them, than for the sake of the poor; the performance of acts of beneficence and liberality tending more to the advantage and account of the giver than of the receiver: and he further intimates, that these good motions in the heart of Titus were not merely natural, or the effects of human power and free will, but were of God, as every good thing is; they were wrought in him by the Spirit of God, and sprung from the grace of God, and therefore the apostle returns thanks to God for the same; and the mention of this could not fail of carrying weight with it, and of having some influence on the minds of the Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 8:16 In-Context

14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,
15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.
17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S 2 Corinthians 2:14
  • 2. Revelation 17:17
  • 3. S 2 Corinthians 2:13
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