Abounding in Faith, Utterance, Knowledge, Diligence and Love 2 Corinthians 8:7

Paul the apostle and his companions shared how the churches in Macedonia were so caring for others, “Insomuch that” he and his companions “desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also”, and in chapter eight and verse seven of Second Corinthians, Paul shared how “Titus” wanted to “finish” in the Corinthian church members “the same grace” which was in the Macedonian churches where we read:

Therefore, 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.

The verse begins, “Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, ...” Paul began with the word, “therefore” which means “nevertheless and notwithstanding”, “as you abound” which means “just and even as the church members exceed a fixed number of measure which is left over and above a certain number or measure” “in every thing” or “in each, all, the whole and whatsoever”, “in faith” which means “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things and the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ”, “and utterance” or “speech, word, sayings, decrees and mandates”, “and knowledge” which refers to “the deeper more perfect and enlarged knowledge of this religion such as belongs to the more advanced” “and in all diligence” which means “in each, every and the whole of earnestness, promoting or striving for anything”. Paul desired for the church members in Corinth to grow “exceedingly” in their “faith, sayings, deeper knowledge and diligence”.

The verse continues, “... and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.” Paul added the words, “and in your love” which means “and within the church members' affection, good will, benevolence and unconditional brotherly love” “to us” which means “Paul and his companions”, “see that” or “” “you abound” or “the church members exceed a fixed number of measure which is left over and above a certain number or measure” “in this grace” which means “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor” “also” or “even and indeed”. Paul added the need for the church members' “love” and “grace” toward he and his companions.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how he desired for the church members to continue their “growth” in these areas. “Faith, utterance, knowledge, diligence, love and grace” are important elements in the Christian faith, and those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, shall not only acquire these traits, but also “abound” in them as well. May all who read these words be inspired by Paul's words and seek to “exceed” in every characteristic he has named.

Next time Paul told the church members these things to, “prove the sincerity of” their “love”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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