Accepting the Exhortation 2 Corinthians 8:17

As Paul the apostle shared about giving to the gospel of Jesus Christ, he told the church members in Corinth, “But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you”, and in chapter eight and verse seventeen of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the Corinthian church members how Titus “accepted the exhortation” where we read:

For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

The verse begins, “For indeed he accepted the exhortation;” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore “indeed” or “truly, certainly and surely” “he accepted” which means “Titus received, took hold, embraced and bore” “the exhortation” or “the calling near, summons, importation, supplication and entreaty”. Paul acknowledged Titus' “receiving and embrace” of the “summons and entreaty”.

The verse goes on to say, “but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.” Paul added the words, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “being more forward” which means “existing as active, diligent, zealous and earnest”, “of his own accord” or “voluntarily, of free choice and of Titus' own accord” “he went” which means “Titus departed” “unto you” or “unto the church members”. Paul recognized how Titus “went” to the church members in Corinth on his own volition.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we admire Titus' commitment to the church members in Corinth. Not only did he “receive” the “exhortation” to go unto them, but also “went” to them upon his own “volition”. This desire is implicit within leaders who care for those whom the Lord Jesus has entrusted them, and when they are called to care and oversee others, let them have same desire as Titus when they “accept the exhortation”.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “sent with him the brother”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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