2 Corinthians 8:6
 2 Corinthians 8:6 
New International Version (©2011)
So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.

New Living Translation (©2007)
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.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you.

International Standard Version (©2012)
So we urged Titus to finish this work of kindness among you in the same way that he had started it.

NET Bible (©2006)
Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
That we would seek from Titus, that as he started, thus he would complete also this grace in you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
This led us to urge Titus to finish his work of God's kindness among you in the same way as he had already started it.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
So that we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

American King James Version
So that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

American Standard Version
Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.

Darby Bible Translation
So that we begged Titus that, according as he had before begun, so he would also complete as to you this grace also;

English Revised Version
Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

Webster's Bible Translation
So that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

Weymouth New Testament
This led us to urge Titus that, as he had previously been the one who commenced the work, so he should now go and complete among you this act of beneficence also.

World English Bible
So we urged Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.

Young's Literal Translation
so that we exhorted Titus, that, according as he did begin before, so also he may finish to you also this favour,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:1-6 The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the Macedonians. So far from needing that Paul should urge them, they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we use or lay out for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we give for charitable uses, will not be accepted of God, nor turn to our advantage, unless we first give ourselves to the Lord. By ascribing all really good works to the grace of God, we not only give the glory to him whose due it is, but also show men where their strength is. Abundant spiritual joy enlarges men's hearts in the work and labour of love. How different this from the conduct of those who will not join in any good work, unless urged into it!


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - Insomuch that. Their liberality encouraged me so greatly that I exhorted Titus to return to Corinth once more, and see whether he could not receive some proof that you were equally liberal. The remarks that follow are full of delicate reserve, but under their exquisite tact and urbanity we can perceive that the Corinthians had talked very loudly about their contributions, and had promised with great zeal, but had shown themselves somewhat slack in redeeming their promises. We exhorted Titus. It is curious that this word is constantly used of the missions of Titus (ver. 17; 2 Corinthians 12:18; 1 Corinthians 16:12). As he had began. "That as no inaugurated (this collection), so he would also complete towards you this gracious work also." Among other works of grace which Titus might complete by returning to them from Macedonia was the kindly collection which he had begun to set on foot in his previous visit (2 Corinthians 12:18).


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Insomuch that we desired Titus,.... Observing the very great readiness, cheerfulness, and liberality of the poor Macedonians in this matter, the apostles could do no other than desire Titus to forward, hasten, and accomplish a like liberal contribution among the Corinthians; or the sense is, that the Macedonians not only prayed with much entreaty, as in 2 Corinthians 8:4 that the apostle would be pleased to take their collection, and send or carry it to Jerusalem; but also that they would entreat Titus,

that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also; that is, that as he had already moved this affair to the Corinthians while he was with them, and had made some progress in it, though what, through one thing or another, it had been retarded, and lay in some measure neglected; that he might be desired to go again, on purpose to complete so good a work, so acceptable to God, and so useful to the poor saints; which carries in it a new and strong argument to stir up the Corinthians to this service; since they had not only the example of the Macedonian churches, but it was even at their request that Titus was desired to go upon this errand; and to this sense read the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

6. Insomuch that—As we saw the Macedonians' alacrity in giving, we could not but exhort Titus, that as we collected in Macedonia, so he in Corinth should complete the work of collecting which he had already begun there, lest ye, the wealthy people of Corinth, should be outdone in liberality by the poor Macedonians.

as he had begun—Greek, "previously begun," namely, the collection at Corinth, before the Macedonians began to contribute, during the visit to Corinth from which he had just returned.

finish in you the same grace—complete among you this act of grace or beneficence on your part.

also—as well as other things which he had to do among them [Alford].


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Generosity Commended
5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. 6So that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.

Acts 24:17 "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
Romans 15:25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there.
2 Corinthians 2:13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
2 Corinthians 8:10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.
2 Corinthians 8:16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.
2 Corinthians 8:17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
2 Corinthians 8:19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
2 Corinthians 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.
2 Corinthians 12:18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?