2 Corinthians 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.

*** 

Paul picked up where he left off in 2 Corinthians 8:6 where he said Titus would be coming to collect their gift. He thanked God that Titus had the same heart toward the Corinthians that Paul & Co. did. Not only did he accept their appeal to go back to Corinth, but he was eager to do so. Paul spoke of the others who would accompany Titus, not saying for sure who they were. Some speculate the one whose fame had spread (v. 18) might be Luke. Whoever it was he had also been chosen by the churches to travel with Paul in this endeavor to make a collection for the Jerusalem saints.

This “famous” brother was chosen because they were taking a precaution to have men of good reputation carry out the collection since they would be carrying and delivering the money. Of course, they knew they would be honest with it, but they wanted to present the whole task as honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but of men, so no one would discredit them in their administration of this gift.

Paul assured them that the brothers he was sending were trustworthy. Titus was his co-laborer in the gospel, and the others were also of high regard, messengers and a glory to Christ. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to openly receive them in love and generosity.








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