These small group study notes on the book of 2nd Corinthians contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, lessons to learn, and applications. Feel free to print them, copy them, or share them. I only ask that you remember these are are personal study notes and are only meant as a supplement to your own study, not a replacement. May God be glorified! Visit our inductive Bible study main page for more studies on this and other books of the Bible. See the bottom of the page for the rest of the study on 2 Corinthians 12.
2 Corinthians 8:16-24 Inductive Bible Study - Outline, Key Words, Cross References, and Discussion Questions
Financial Stewardship within the Church
Chapter 8:16-24
2 Co 8:16-24
16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.
17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.
18 We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches;
19 and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,
20 taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift;
21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.
24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.
Key Words
· Earnest 2
V17 spoudaioteros (spoo-dah-yot-er'-oce); adverb from NT:4707; more speedily, i.e. sooner than otherwise:
V16 NT:4710 spoude (spoo-day'); from NT:4692; "speed", i.e. (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness:
· Diligent 2
NT:4705 spoudaios (spoo-dah'-yos); from NT:4710; prompt, energetic, earnest:
NT:4706 spoudaioteron (spoo-dah-yot'-er-on); neuter of NT:4707 as adverb; more earnestly than others), i.e. very promptly:
· Churches 4
· In the sight of 2
· Titus 2
· Sent 2
· Brother 2
· Glory 2
· Administer 2
NT:1247 diakoneo (dee-ak-on-eh'-o); from NT:1249; to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or [figuratively] teacher); techn. to act as a Christian deacon:
Titles
Honorable Administration of Church Finances
Doing it Right in the Sight of the Lord and Men
Financial Stewardship within the Church
Outline
I. Titus earnestness 16,17
II. The famous unnamed brother’s earnestness 18,19
III. Honorable and blameless stewardship 20,21
IV. Proof of the Corinthian’s love 22-24
Cross References, Questions, Observations
What principles for handling church finances can you find in this passage?
· It’s a good idea for 2 or more people with blameless reputations to handle them (rather just one who has no accountability)
· It should be a voluntary service not one that is required.
· Giving and receiving gifts in the family of God is for the glory of God.
· Though our service is for the Lord (not men), we should strive to do what is honorable in man’s sight also.
· Giving provides tangible proof of the genuiness of true love.
16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.
2 Co 7:7
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.
Php 2:20
20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
a) Titus had the same earnestness as who or what?
1) The source of our desire to do good is always the Lord, never from within myself.
17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.
Ge 44:33-34
33 "Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers.
34 "For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me — for fear that I see the evil that would overtake my father?"
Php 2:5-7
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Ne 3:20
20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the Angle to the doorway of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
Col 3:23
23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
a)
1) Titus eagerly volunteered for the position.
18 We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches;
Ac 17:6
6 When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have upset the world have come here also;
Php 1:13
13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
Mk 1:45
45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.
1 Ki 10:1-2
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.
2 So she came to Jerusalem with a very large retinue, with camels carrying spices and very much gold and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart.
1 Ki 10:24
24 All the earth was seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart.
a) Who was this famous brother that was sent along with Titus?
1)
19 and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,
Ac 13:2
2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Ac 15:22
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas — Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,
1 Co 16:3
3 When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;
2 Co 9:12-14
12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,
14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
Php 4:18
18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
1 Pe 4:10-11
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
a) How important is church appointment?
1)
20 taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift;
Mt 10:16
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
Ro 14:16
16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;
Eph 5:15
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
1 Th 5:22
22 abstain from every form of evil.
Pr 14:16
16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.
a) Who wanted to discredit Paul? Why did they want to discredit him?
1)
21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Ro 12:17
17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
1 Pe 3:1
1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
1 Pe 2:12
12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Mt 5:16
16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Mt 6:1
6:1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
Ac 24:16
16 "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.
Gal 1:10
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
a) If it is right in the sight of God, what difference does it make what men think about it?
1)
22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.
Php 2:20-22
20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
Jas 1:2-4
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Pr 12:27
27 A lazy man does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a man is diligence.
1 Ti 3:6
6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
1 Pe 1:6-7
6 if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
a) What is the purpose of testing a brother?
b) In what ways might a brother be tested today?
1)
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.
Phm 17
17 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.
Php 2:25
25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
Php 4:3
3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Col 1:7
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
Ne 4:6
6 So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work .
Ne 6:3
3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?"
Phm 24
24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
3 Jn 8
8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
Mt 9:37-38
37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
38 "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
a)
1) All believers should be workers, not pew sitters.
24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.
Jn 15:8
8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
Jas 2:18
18 But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Jas 2:26
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Jas 3:13
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
Jn 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 " By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
a) When is it appropriate to boast of others?
1)
Key Verse
20 taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift;
Central Teaching
Church finances must be handled with the utmost integrity by blameless leaders.
Application - Make Your Own!
Send out a prayer/newsletter by June 23.
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