2 Corinthians 8:16
in 2 Corinthians 8But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
KJV
But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
⋯
This verse in 2 Corinthians 8
Commentary
9 notes on this verseBut thanks be to God - He thanks God who had already disposed the heart of Titus to attend to this business; and, with his usual address, considers all this as done in the behalf of the Corinthian Church; and that though the poor Christians in Judea are to have the immediate benefit, yet God put honor upon them in making them his instruments in supplying the wants of others. He who is an almoner to God Almighty is highly honored indeed.
This site's exposition
who put into the heart of Titus
on 2 Corinthians 8:16-19
With Titus travels the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel, unnamed in the text. Verse 19 gives the safeguard: this brother was chosen by the churches, elected by the givers.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
Again he praises Titus. For since he had discoursed of almsgiving, he afterwards discourseth also of those who are to receive the money from them and carry it away. For this was of aid towards this collection, and towards increasing the forwardness of the contributors. For he that feels confidence as to him that ministereth, and suspects not those who are to be receivers, gives with the fuller bountifulness. And that this might be the case then also, hear how he commends those that had come for this purpose, the first of whom was Titus. Wherefore also he saith, "But thanks be to God, Which put (literally, 'gave') the same earnest care into the heart of Titus." What is "the same?" Which he had also in respect to the Thessalonians, or "the same" with me. And mark here wisdom. Showing this to be the work of God, he also gives thanks to Him that gave, so as to incite by this also. 'For if God stirred him up and sent him to you, He asks through Him. Think not therefore that what has happened is of men.' And whence is it manifest that God incited him?
The Medieval Church2 voices
After dealing with the collections, to which they should contribute, the Apostle then deals with the ministers by whom the collections should be made. In regard to this he does two things. First, he names them; secondly, he recommends them to the Corinthians (v. 24). …
Having said what was necessary about alms, he finally praises those sent to collect them, so that they, being free from suspicion, might more readily stir them to readiness for donation. Since the first of them was Titus, he praises him, and calls his motivation …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
), and it is cause of thankfulness if God hath put it into the hearts of any to do us or others any good. For his readiness to this present service. He accepted the office, and was forward to go upon this good errand,
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens
But thanks be to God,....
2 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Returning to the subject of 2Co 8:6. for you--Translate, "Which put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus," as was in myself. My care for you led me to "desire" him (2Co 8:6, 17, "exhortation," the same Greek); but Titus had of himself the same care, whence he "accepted (gladly) my exhortation" (2Co 8:17) to go to you (2Co 8:6).
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
But thanks be to God - Paul regarded every right feeling, and every pure desire; every inclination to serve God or to benefit a fellow mortal, as the gift of God. He, therefore, ascribes the praise to him that Titus was disposed to show an interest in the welfare of the Corinthians. The same earnest care - The earnest care here referred to was that the Corinthians might complete the collection, and finish what they had proposed. Titus was willing to undertake this, and see that it was done. For you - For your completing the collection. Paul represents it as being done for them, or for their welfare. The poor saints in Judea indeed were to have the immediate benefit of the contribution, but it was a privilege for them to give, and Paul rejoiced that they had that privilege. A man who presents to Christians a feasible object of benevolence, and who furnishes them an opportunity of doing good to others, is doing good to them, and they should esteem it an act of kindness done to them.
The words behind it
15 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Χάρις | charis | Thanks | G5485 → | 153 times |
| δὲ | de | however | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| τῷ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θεῷ | theo | to God | G2316 → | 1312 times |
| τῷ | to | the [One] | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| δόντι | donti | gave | G1325 → | 412 times |
| τὴν | ten | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| αὐτὴν | auten | same | G846 → | 5565 times |
| σπουδὴν | spouden | earnestness | G4710 → | 12 times |
| ὑπὲρ | huper | for | G5228 → | 155 times |
| ὑμῶν | humon | you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| ἐν | en | into | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τῇ | tea | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| καρδίᾳ | kardia | heart | G2588 → | 156 times |
| Τίτου, | titou | of Titus, | G5103 → | 13 times |
ΧάριςThanks
charisG5485 →153 times
δὲhowever
deG1161 →2765 times
τῷ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
θεῷto God
theoG2316 →1312 times
τῷthe [One]
toG3588 →19766 times
δόντιgave
dontiG1325 →412 times
τὴνthe
tenG3588 →19766 times
αὐτὴνsame
autenG846 →5565 times
σπουδὴνearnestness
spoudenG4710 →12 times
ὑπὲρfor
huperG5228 →155 times
ὑμῶνyou
humonG4771 →2973 times
ἐνinto
enG1722 →2738 times
τῇthe
teaG3588 →19766 times
καρδίᾳheart
kardiaG2588 →156 times
Τίτου,of Titus,
titouG5103 →13 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Jeremiah 31:31Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
it leads to
- Hebrews 10:16–17
“This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”
- Ezekiel 37:26
And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary among them forever.
- Jeremiah 31:31–34
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
- Jeremiah 32:40
I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will never turn away…
- 2 Corinthians 3:6
And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
- Hebrews 10:16–17
Through
Jeremiah 32:40I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will never turn away…
it leads to
- Jeremiah 31:31–33
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
- Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
- Jeremiah 24:7
I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their…
- Jeremiah 31:31–33
Where this verse is studied
About 2 Corinthians

Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Frederic Godet, Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily 18 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.
