20160808 Saturday, August 8 2016
2 Corinthians 08: Living Grace

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

"Grace" is an English-language word that originated from an ancient Greek word, pronounced khar-eese (the sound of the English pronunciation of "grace" is noticeable in khar-eese), which meant to rejoice. The words grateful, gratitude and agree are all derived from the same root word as grace. "Grace" is used to translate that same word, from which it was derived, in the Holy Scriptures.

True grace is about being grateful for the forgiveness that comes, from the LORD (see The Identity Of The LORD God and The LORD God Our Saviour), when one truly repents and genuinely lives according to God's Law - a living grace. Grace is not a "free gift" for rebel-minded lawless people - a dead grace (see The Doers Of The Law and The Servants Of Corruption Promise Liberty).

"6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

6:2 God forbid.

How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:1-4 KJV)

Notice how the Corinthians (see also The Intercontinental Church Of God) experienced a living grace, regardless of the persecutions that Satan brought upon them for their genuine obedience to the LORD (see also Why Does The LORD's Armour Attract The Devil's Fire?).

"8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

8:10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 8:11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack." (2 Corinthians 8:1-15 KJV)

Titus was a servant of the LORD who became a close associate of Paul (see Paul, The Apostle To The World). Titus was with Paul at Antioch (see Where Believers Were First Called Christians) and Jerusalem (see The Court Of Felix - Where Politics Trumps Truth), as well as during Paul's missionary journeys (see The Return Of The Home Town Apostles and Paul's First Mission To Greece). The epistle of Titus was written by Paul to him (see the Fact Finder question below).

"8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 8:17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: 8:20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: 8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. 8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf." (2 Corinthians 8:16-24 KJV)

Fact Finder: What did Paul write to Titus in the Biblical epistle of Titus?
See Titus: Walking In The Same Spirit