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1. The Obligation of Grace – "But thanks be to God"
   
   
1. Once again this phrase "?????????????????????" – emphasizes the verbal expression of a joyful astonishment and gratitude for that work of God that benefits sinful men.
2. It refers to that which is beyond the ordinary course of what might be expected or even hoped for and is therefore commendable.
3. In this context, It focuses our attention on the tremendous accomplishment of God in establishing the circumstances as they now stand in the heart of Titus.
4. Here, the particular circumstances involve the generation of a burden for ministry to the Corinthian believers.
5. In the face of such a tremendous work of God, Paul says that such a verbal expression of praise to the Lord is appropriate.
6. We too have an obligation to rejoice when seeing the Lord work in the hearts of selfish men and women, causing them to possess a heart to minister to others – it is the work of God! – cp. Philippians 2:13.
   
   
2. The Original Burden – "… Who puts the same earnestness …"
   
   
1. God is credited with this work of "putting" an "earnestness … in the heart of Titus" – a constant generating of a burden for the believers at Corinth.
2. Some of the manuscripts provide an Aorist participle here, but it is likely that those manuscripts of the majority text are correct and render it as a Present participle – emphasizing the constant work of God in generating this burden.
3. Then he qualifies the burden by stating that it is the "same earnestness" – the same as what?
4. Several possibilities have been proffered:
1. Titus’ burden is the same as Paul’s burden for them.
2. Titus’ burden for the Corinthians is the same as his burden was for the other churches in Macedonia who have already participated in the benevolence project – cp. vv. 1-2.
3. Titus’ burden was the same as the Corinthian’s burden for ministering to others – cp. v. 7
4. Titus’ burden was the same as the Macedonian churches – cp. vv. 1-4
5. Another possibility is that the earnestness being referenced is patterned after that tremendous commitment and sacrifice that was evidenced in the "grace of the Lord Jesus Christ …" – cp. v. 9.
6. Thus, the earnestness after which servants of Christ must pattern their own burden must be that of Christ himself – who gave of Himself – cp. Philippians 2:1-5.
   
   

1. The Sense of Dilemma – "… the same earnestness"
   
   
1. A ministry burden must possess a sense of urgency or recognition of the dilemma that exists among people to be conformed to the image of Christ.
2. The term translated "earnestness" (????????) literally conveys the idea of haste, diligence, or zeal – which is placed in the heart of God’s servant.
3. The Gospel ministry is not really a place for someone who is lax and casual about the work of the ministry or the needs of sinners.
   
   
2. The Sense of Devotion – "… on your behalf"
   
   
1. However, some people are zealous for the work of ministry, but not for the people they serve.
2. It is easy in ministry to have a focus that excludes the people our ministry is about.
3. Paul mentions here this zeal and earnest care that exists in the heart of Titus. However, lest they feel that the offering is what he is really after, Paul states that this earnestness is "on your behalf."
4. He recognizes that the Corinthian’s participation in this cooperative effort of meeting the needs of the Jerusalem Christian by participating in the offering would be of great spiritual benefit – cp. 8:7
5. Part of his responsibility delegated to him by Paul was to see that the offering was handled properly. However, his great God-given burden was that the Corinthians did not fail to see the great opportunity that was theirs.
6. If they failed to see it, they would rob themselves of a great blessing – and Titus cared about this "on their behalf."
7. To see their spiritual growth in exhibiting generosity was something Titus was stirred up over and burdened to see realized – cp. 2 Corinthians 7:13-15
   
   

1. The Respect for a Cooperative Effort - "For he not only accepted our appeal …"
1. No one is out there on their own – they are part of the larger program of God working together with others to get the job done to the glory of God.
2. Titus had just returned from Corinth – have had to difficult task of mediating between the Corinthians and Paul as Paul’s "harsh" letter "hit the fan."
3. Now, Paul was asking him to turn around and go back into a setting that he had just helped pull out of an unsettled condition for the purpose of fund-raising – a delicate task – cp. 8:6.
4. Yet, Paul tells us here that he "accepted our appeal" for this assignment.
5. There was a true spirit of teamwork and cooperation between the servants of Christ – pulling together to see the work done to the glory of Christ – cp. 2 Corinthians 8:23.
   
   
2. The Reply of a Cultivated Eagerness – "but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord."
   
   
1. The use of the term "appeal" (???????????) – suggests that Paul wasn’t sure how Titus was going to respond when asked to go back to Corinth – cp. 8:4.
2. However, when Paul asked him – it required no exhortation, urging, or because he was already prepared by the Lord to immediately accept and perform this mission "of his own accord."
3. In fact, God had done such a tremendous work of grace that Titus "being himself very earnest" – would have wanted to go regardless of Paul’s request – of his own initiative.
4. This is why Paul began this section: "Thanks be to God for putting the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus."

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