Definition: Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Corinthians 8:7. It's a really beautiful and important message about how we should live our lives. Here’s what it means, explained simply: Think of it like this: “Don’t just have faith, knowledge, love – do all of those things well and with enthusiasm!” Let’s break it down word by word: "2 Corinthians 8:7" : This is the verse itself. It's a letter from Paul to Timothy in a church in Ephesus, Greece. “Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith…” : This means that you are growing and flourishing because you have a lot of faith. Let’s look at “every [thing, in] faith” – this is a big phrase. It's saying that you’re having a LOT of faith. Think of it like planting many seeds - the more you plant them, the more you’ll grow! This includes: Faith: Believing things even when you don't know all the answers. Trust: Having confidence in God and what He wants for you. Belief: Holding something as true, even if it's not yet proven. “…and utterance…” : This means you’re also expressing yourself – speaking your truth, sharing your beliefs, and being open to learning. It's about communicating with God and others. “…and knowledge…” : This refers to understanding things – learning, wisdom, and gaining insights. “…and [in] all diligence…” : This is really important! “All diligence” means you’re working hard and being diligent in everything you do. It's about taking good care of yourself and your life. "...and in your love to us..." : This is the key part. "In your love to us" – it’s not just any love, but God’s love for us. It means you should be loving God and others with a deep and sincere care. “…see that ye abound in this grace also.” : This is the final part, and it's really about what happens when we have a lot of faith and love. “Abound in this grace” means to grow in goodness – to become more like God and to live a life filled with His blessings. It’s about growing spiritually. So, putting it all together: Paul is encouraging us to actively cultivate our faith, knowledge, love, and diligence. It's not enough just to have these things; we need to use them – to live them out in a way that pleases God. In essence, the verse is saying: Don’t just have these things – live them fully and with enthusiasm, constantly striving to grow closer to God. --- Do you want me to: 1. Explain this verse further? 2. Give some examples of how we can show faith, knowledge, love, or diligence in our lives?