The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 8:17 Explained

2 Corinthians 8:17

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

YLT: because indeed the exhortation he accepted, and being more diligent, of his own accord he went forth unto you,

Darby: For he received indeed the entreaty, but, being full of zeal, he went of his own accord to you;

ASV: For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does 2 Corinthians 8:17 Mean?

Verse Meaning

It is not clear whether Titus had already left Paul for Corinth or whether he was about to do so. The Greek aorist tense permits either translation, and no other textual reference provides a solution. He may have carried2Corinthians to its recipients. In any case, it was Titus" desire as well as Paul"s ( 2 Corinthians 8:6) that led him back to Corinth.

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 8:16-24 - "things Honorable" Both To God And Men
Those who handle the gifts of the Church should be extremely careful that all their financing be above the slightest suspicion. The Apostle shrank from handling these gifts himself, lest any should insinuate that he was appropriating them to his personal use. Even when we have no reason to accuse ourselves in the sight of the Lord, we should be careful of appearances in the sight of men; and whatever is entrusted to us should be administered by us to the glory of God.
In the present instance the Apostle designated three brethren to attend to this matter. First, Titus, his partner and fellow-worker; next, the brother whose praise was in all the churches and who had been appointed for this very purpose; and thirdly, another brother, referred to in 2 Corinthians 8:22. Titus represented the Apostle, and the others represented the churches themselves. These brethren are distinctly mentioned as the glory of Christ, 2 Corinthians 8:23. It must be an encouragement to those who handle the financial matters of our churches, that they also may promote Christ's glory and participate in its transfiguring beauty. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 8

1  He stirs them to a generous gift for the poor saints at Jerusalem, by the example of the Macedonians;
7  by commendation of their former forwardness;
9  by the example of Christ;
14  and by the spiritual profit that shall redound to themselves thereby;
16  commending to them the integrity and willingness of Titus, and those other brothers

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 8:17

Very earnest [σπουδαιοτερος]
“More earnest than ordinarily,” comparative adjective. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 8:17

Acts 9:31 Comfort [παρακλήσει]
From παρακαλέω ,call toward or to one's side for help. The word is rendered in the New Testament both exhortation and consolation. Compare Acts 13:15; Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 8:17; Hebrews 12:5; and Luke 2:25(see note); 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Matthew 5:4. In some passages the meaning is disputed, as Philemon 2:1, where, as in 1 Corinthians 14:3, it is joined with παραμύθιον or παραμυθία , the meaning of which also varies between incentive and consolation or assuagement. Here exhortation is the rendering approved by the best authorities, to be construed with was multiplied: was multiplied by the exhortation of the Holy Ghost; i.e., by the Holy Spirit inspiring the preachers, and moving the hearts of the hearers. [source]
2 Corinthians 8:3 They were willing [αὐθαίρετοι]
The adjective stands alone. Only here and 2 Corinthians 8:17. Lit., self-chosen, and so Rev., of their own accord. [source]
2 Corinthians 8:3 Of their own accord [αυταιρετοι]
Old verbal adjective (αυτοσ αιρετος — autosαιρεομαι — hairetos from εκουσιως και αυταιρετως — haireomai to choose), of their own initiative, voluntary. Only here and 2 Corinthians 8:17 in N.T. Papyri often have hekousiōs kai authairetōs (willingly and voluntarily). [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 8:17 mean?

For [our] indeed appeal he accepted very earnest however being of his own accord he has gone out to you
ὅτι τὴν μὲν παράκλησιν ἐδέξατο σπουδαιότερος δὲ ὑπάρχων αὐθαίρετος ἐξῆλθεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς

τὴν  [our] 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μὲν  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: μέν  
Sense: truly, certainly, surely, indeed.
παράκλησιν  appeal 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: παράκλησις  
Sense: a calling near, summons, (esp.
ἐδέξατο  he  accepted 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δέχομαι  
Sense: to take with the hand.
σπουδαιότερος  very  earnest 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular, Comparative
Root: σπουδαῖος  
Sense: active, diligent, zealous, earnest.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ὑπάρχων  being 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὑπάρχω  
Sense: to begin below, to make a beginning.
αὐθαίρετος  of  his  own  accord 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: αὐθαίρετος  
Sense: voluntary, of free choice, of one’s own accord.
ἐξῆλθεν  he  has  gone  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐξέρχομαι 
Sense: to go or come forth of.

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