2 Corinthians 8:6
ESV
Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.
NIV
So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
NASB
So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.
CSB
So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete among you this act of grace.
NLT
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.
KJV
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
NKJV
So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.
What does 2 Corinthians 8:6 mean?
This marks a turn in Paul's focus. He has been praising the churches in Macedonia for their generous giving to aid suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Here, he will pivot to asking the Corinthians to follow through on their own commitment. Specifically, Paul says he has asked Titus to return to Corinth to collect the funds as a way of completing "this act of grace."Paul often describes Christian giving to meet the needs of others as an act of grace. That makes sense. God gives grace to believers through faith in Christ. This grace comes as a good gift we could never earn. In the same way, Christians give money to others that they are not obligated to give simply out of a spirit of love and kindness.
Paul again seems to be sending Titus on a difficult mission to Corinth. The first time the Corinthians met Paul's associate in ministry, he was delivering a letter of rebuke from Paul for their sin. Apparently, though, Titus and the Corinthians encouraged each other and got along well (2 Corinthians 7:14–16). Now Paul is sending Titus back with the duty of collecting from the Corinthians the monies they had previously agreed to give to the believers in Jerusalem. Paul seems to be aware that perhaps not all in Corinth will still be eager to give to meet this need.
Second Corinthians 8:1–15 begins with Paul's praise for the churches in Macedonia. These believers begged to be included in giving to a collection for the suffering Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their own commitment to do the same thing of their own free will as an act of grace. In doing so, they will also be following the example of Jesus' sacrifice for them. They should give proportionally, using their abundance to meet the need of other believers so that all may have enough.
The Corinthians had previously agreed to contribute to a collection. This was for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Paul raises the issue with them, pointing to the example of the poverty-stricken Macedonian churches who had given beyond their means of their own free will. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their commitment by their own choice. Titus and two representatives of other churches are coming to Corinth to oversee the collection so it is done with integrity. Paul urges the Corinthians to prove their love by following through on their commitment to give.
