2 Corinthians 8:6

"Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also." And what connexion is there here? Much; and closely bearing on what went before. 'For because we saw them vehement,' he says, 'and fervent in all things, in temptations, in alms giving, in their love toward us, in the purity otherwise of their life: in order that ye too might be made their equals, we sent Titus.' Howbeit he did not say this, though he implied it. Behold excessiveness of love. 'For though intreated and desired by them,' he says, 'we were anxious about your state, lest by any means ye should come short of them. Wherefore also we sent Titus, that by this also being stirred up and put in mind, ye might emulate the Macedonians.' For Titus happened to be there when this Epistle was writing. Yet he shows that he had made a beginning in this matter before Paul's exhortation; "that as he had made a beginning before," he says. Wherefore also he bestows great praise on him; for instance, in the beginning [of the Epistle]; "Because I found not Titus my brother, I had no relief for my spirit:" and here all those things which he has said, and this too itself. For this also is no light praise, the having begun before even: for this evinces a warm and fervent spirit. Wherefore also he sent him, infusing amongst them in this also a very great incentive unto giving, the presence of Titus.

They, he says, gave themselves over to almsgiving to such a degree that I, seeing their deed, took care for you, so that you would not be worse than them, and for this reason asked Titus to go to you, which he himself also "began," that is, purposed to go to you before I asked him. Through this he also disposes them toward Titus, so that when he comes and begins to persuade them to almsgiving, they would more readily yield to his persuasions, as one who is concerned with what pertains to their salvation. And again he called almsgiving a good work. For it is truly a great good and a gift of God, and the giving of it makes us like God. Therefore the wise one also said, "many a man will proclaim his own goodness" (Prov. 20:6).

Having given the example of the Macedonians, he then shows how he was moved by this example, when he says, "Accordingly we have urged Titus." As if to say: we were so moved by this display of generosity by the Macedonians, that we desired Titus to make you partakers of that grace, namely, that as Titus had already made a beginning, to urge you to do good after he saw you amended and to induce you to communion, he should also complete among you, and particularly that gracious work of giving alms, that it not be lacking to you: "And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6).