2 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 8
Paul’s Tactful Appeal and Recommendation. 2 Cor. 8, 1–24.
Commendation of Titus and his companions: V.16. But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you! V.17. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. V.18. And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; v.19. and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord and declaration of your ready mind;
Having named the motives which should incite the Corinthians to take up the matter of the collection with all speed and energy, Paul now gives evidence of his practical sense and carefulness, especially in the matter of avoiding evil impressions, the very appearance of practices that are not altogether frank and honest. To this end he here sends a formal commendation of Titus: But thanks be to God, who gave the same zeal on your behalf into the heart of Titus!
For not only did he accept our appeal (v.6), but being himself all the more zealous, he has gone of his own accord unto you. Paul here speaks after the manner of writing letters in those days, according to which the writer always placed himself in the position of the person that received the letter, this fact governing also the tenses which he employed. He here records his thanks to God for giving to Titus the same earnest care in their behalf as Paul himself felt. This was proved by the fact that Titus had acceded to the wish of Paul to return to Corinth without the slightest hesitation. Without further solicitation, of his own free will, he was making the trip and bearing also this letter. This fact alone should have been sufficient to dispose the Corinthians in favor of Titus.
But Paul includes credentials also for the companions of Titus. Of the first one he says that he has sent with Titus the brother who was well known to them, a man whose praise in the gospel was spread throughout all the congregations. He was thus a man who had the very best reputation as a hard worker in the interest of the Word of God, of whom all the Christians thought very highly. The identity of this brother is not known, although Luke and Trophimus have been named.
This man was not only well spoken of in all the churches, a fact which would have recommended him for kind acceptance with the Corinthians, but the Macedonian churches had placed so much confidence in him that they had formally chosen him to accompany the apostle on his journey to Jerusalem. It was Paul’s intention, in case the collection was worthwhile, to make the journey to Jerusalem in the company of the bearers of the money, 1 Cor. 16, 3. 4. This man, as the representative of the Macedonian churches to bring their gift to the poor brethren in Jerusalem, was coming with Titus.
And of the offering which had been contributed Paul says: Which is being ministered by us to the glory of the Lord and as an evidence of our willingness.
So conscientious was Paul in the matter of giving all glory to God that he makes mention of this end of the good work first. But while the contribution which was being gathered served primarily for the glory of the Lord, it incidentally proved the readiness of Paul, who now found himself strengthened in the carrying out of his undertaking by the lively interest which was being shown in the congregations. He was relieved of a great burden of care and felt confident that the whole business would now be the more easily accomplished.