Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

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.

The Apostle Paul sent Titus to jolt the church in Corinth to emulate the exemplary giving of the churches in Macedonia. He has cited their sincere care for the brethren in Jerusalem and sought for the church in Corinth to do likewise. He wanted spiritual fruit to be accrued to their account. He nudged them along the path of devotion to love and good works.

As Amy Carmichael said, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”

2 Corinthians 8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

“Contributions to the work of the Lord,” says G. Campbell Morgan, “are only valuable as they are the gifts of those who are themselves yielded to God.”

The people of God in Macedonia were sacrificial in their giving because of their consecration toward God. They were walking closely with God obeying and following hard after God.

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

The churches in Macedonia literally pleaded with the Apostle Paul to allow them the joy of giving to the saints in Jerusalem. Knowing the already stretched financial situation of these brethren, the Apostle Paul would not want to burden them further to accept their kind gift. However, they were determined to exercise their stewardship through their giving and asked for the Apostle Paul to accede to their request.

2 Corinthians 8:1-3 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

It was the grace of God that enabled the churches of Macedonia to liberally give despite the great trial of affliction they were under. They did so joyfully. In their deep poverty, they responded to the need of the brethren. How is that possible? They trusted God and are willing to suffer for the sake of their brethren.

Proverbs 15:6a In the house of the righteous is much treasure:

Proverbs 21:20a There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;

2 Corinthians 8:1-2 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

The churches in Macedonia has been sacrificially giving to help the poor in Jerusalem. Although they were not materially wealthy, they had given liberally for the cause of Christ. The Apostle Paul commended these churches. These churches were going through great affliction yet they were joyful in liberally giving to help other believers. A commendable spirit. It seemed that the collection to the saints in Jerusalem has not been completed, perhaps disrupted in the upheaval in the church in the matter that the Apostle Paul expressed in chapter 7 through his letter. Now there is a need to encourage the church in Corinth so that Titus can complete the collection and the funds can be quickly sent.

The psalmist observed well in Psalm 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. Indeed, as Jacques Maritain rightly said, “Bread for myself is a material question; bread for my neighbour is a spiritual question.”

2 Corinthians 7:14-16 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

There was a warm reception of Titus at his coming to the church in Corinth. The letter that he carried from the Apostle Paul was well received. The confidence that the Apostle Paul had of their faith in God was not overstated. The fear of God, the reverence for God’s servant was evident to Titus. He confirmed the Apostle Paul’s assessment of their growing faith. There were fruits of repentance shown in their reception of Titus.

I am reminded of the testimony of Zacchaeus after he was saved.

2 Corinthians 7:14-15 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. 15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

The Apostle Paul sent Titus to deliver a letter to the Corinthian church. When Titus arrived, there was a warm reception of him as a messenger from the Lord sending an important message to them. Titus observed the spiritual demeanour of a meek spirit, ready to listen and do the will of God. To this, Titus testified that he was touched by what he saw. But what made an impression to him was that he was received with fear and trembling. There was a godly fear that is evident in their reception of him. They understood the way of forgiveness and cleansing before God – 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. There was a readiness to make redress as they stand to be examined.

2 Corinthians 7:14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

The Apostle Paul commended the church in Corinth for their faith in God. He was stating truthfully for there was spiritual fruit that he has seen and he testified with thanksgiving before God and men to the honour of His praise.

Likewise, he commended the church in Thessalonica when he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Titus proved the Apostle Paul’s commendation of the Corinth church when he visited the church to witness for himself the vibrancy and spiritual progress. He was able to return a note of affirmation concerning the genuine faith and piety of the believers there. As such, this “boasting” was not of prideful arrogance rather an affirmation of the true spiritual state of the church.