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Verse

2 Corinthians 8:17

ESV For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.
NIV For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
NASB For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.
CSB For he welcomed our appeal and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice.
NLT Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you.
KJV For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

What does 2 Corinthians 8:17 mean?

Paul has just declared that God put the same earnest care for the Corinthians into Titus' heart that Paul carries. Now Paul adds that Titus is not coming to the Corinthians out of any sense of obligation. Titus accepted the assignment to come and help arrange the collection for the Jerusalem Christians of his own free will. In other words, Paul wants the Corinthians to know that Titus really wants to see them again.

Titus had only recently returned from Corinth after delivering Paul's letter of rebuke to them. Paul has stated emphatically in the previous chapter how impressed Titus was with their obedience and humble respect for Paul's authority. The fact that Titus wants to return is the sign of how well things went between him and the Corinthians. Perhaps Paul hopes that Titus being there will help the collection go more smoothly, as well.
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