2 Corinthians 8:23

Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. FELLOW-HELPER CONCERNING YOU - Greek, 'fellow-worker toward you.' OUR BRETHREN - the two (2 Corinthians 8:18; 2 Corinthians 8:22). MESSENGERS - rather, as Greek, 'apostles:' in the less strict sense (Acts 14:14). OF THE CHURCHES - sent by the churches, as we are by the Lord [Philippians 2:25,...

In calling them the _Apostles of the Churches, _he might be understood in _two _senses — either as meaning that they had been set apart by God as _Apostles to the Churches, _or that they had been appointed by the Churches to undertake that office. The _second _of these is the more suitable. They are called also the _glory of Christ, _for this reason, that as he alone is the glory of believers, so he ought also to be glorified by them in return. Hence, all that excel in piety and holiness are the _glory of Christ, _because they have nothing but by Christ’s gift....

16-24 The apostle commends the brethren sent to collect their charity, that it might be known who they were, and how safely they might be trusted. It is the duty of all Christians to act prudently; to hinder, as far as we can, all unjust suspicions. It is needful, in the first place, to act uprightly in the sight of God, but things honest in the sight of men should also be attended to. A clear character, as well as a pure conscience, is requisite for usefulness. They brought glory to Christ as instruments, and had obtained honour from Christ to be counted faithful, and employed in his service. The good opinion others have of us, should be an argument with us to do well....

Verse 23. _WHETHER_ ANY DO INQUIRE _OF TITUS_] Should it be asked, _Who is this_ TITUS? I answer, he is my companion, and my fellow labourer in reference to you; 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Corinthians 7:7. Should any inquire, Who are these _brethren_, Luke and Apollos? I answer, _They are_ αποστολοι, _apostles of the Churches_, and intensely bent on promoting the _glory of Christ_....

WHETHER ANY DO INQUIRE OF TITUS - It is to be observed that the words “any do inquire” are not in the original; nor is it clear that these are the most proper words to be introduced here. The Greek may mean either, “if any do inquire about Titus,” or it may mean “if anything is to be said about Titus.” The sense of the passage may either be, that some of the faction at Corinth might be disposed to inquire about the authority of Titus to engage in this work, or that Paul having said so much in commendation of the persons who went with Titus, it seemed proper also to say something in his favor also. The idea is, “If any inquiry is made from any quarter about him, or if it is necessary from any cause to say any thing about him, I would say he is my partner,” etc. HE IS MY PARTNER ... - He partakes with me in preaching the gospel, and in establishing and organizing churches; compare...

EXPOSITION Liberality shown by the Macedonian Churches (2 Corinthians 8:1). He is sending Titus to receive their contribution for the Church of Jerusalem, and he invites them to give according to their power (verses 6-15). Recommendation of Titus and the other delegates (verses 16-24). These two chapters (8 and 9) form an independent section of the Epistle. The _plural _alone ("we") is used throughout; participial and unfinished constructions abound; the style is a little embarrassed; and various words, such as "grace," "blessing," "righteousness," "simplicity," occur in somewhat unusual shades of meaning. All this arises: 1. From St. Paul's natural delicacy in alluding to pecuniary subjects. 2. From a desire to conciliate the Corinthians, while at the same time he cannot conceal from them a little apprehen

WHETHER ANY DO INQUIRE OF TITUS,.... The apostle here sums up the characters of each of the above persons; as for Titus, he says, HE IS MY PARTNER; he had been his companion in his travels, a partner with him in preaching the Gospel, as well as in the troubles and persecutions he had met with; and was one with whom he had had sweet communion and fellowship: AND FELLOW HELPER; or worker, CONCERNING YOU; he had been a joint instrument with him, either in their conversion, or consolation, and correction; or for their edification and instruction, and setting things right, which had been out of order among them: OR OUR BRETHREN BE INQUIRED OF; if their characters are asked after, as well as Titus's; by whom are meant not his fellow apostles, but the two brethren who were sent along with Titus; what may be truly said of them is, THEY ARE THE MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES; they were chos

Although this is rather a practical than a spiritual chapter, I hope that we shall get profit out of it by the teaching of the Spirit of God who inspired Paul to write it. Paul was writing to the church at Corinth to commend the churches of Macedonia, that he might stir up the one church by the example of the others. The saints at Jerusalem were starving because of a famine, and it came into the mind of certain Gentile churches to send help to the mother-church at Jerusalem. It was regarded as a very wonderful thing that Gentiles should be sending help to Jews. I hope it would not be thought wonderful now, but it was then; and Paul, who loved the saints at Corinth, and saw that they were a little backward in this matter stirred them up to greater diligence. He did not like the churches in Macedonia to go so far ahead of the church in Corinth which was richer, and more endowed with gifts,...

II. THE MINISTRY OF GIVING. CHAPTER S 8-9 1. The Examples and Principles of Giving. CHAPTER 8 _ 1. The Grace of God Manifested in the Churches of Macedonia. (2 Corinthians 8:1)_ 2. The Great Example. (2 Corinthians 8:8) 3. The Advice, Principles and Administration. (2 Corinthians 8:9 .) There is to be a practical ministry in giving, especially in remembering the poor of the flock. He is anxious now to lay this responsibility upon their hearts. In the first epistle he had written them that his glory was in giving the gospel gratuitously. He would not take anything from the Corinthians for himself, but he wants their gifts for others. He was making up a co

2 Corinthians 8:16. Paul commends the three messengers who are going to Corinth on the business of the collection. One of these was Titus, and he looked on the matter in the same way as Paul. There were two others, whose names he probably wrote, though for some unknown reason they were afterwards erased. The first of these, who may possibly have been Luke, was already favourably known to all the churches through his work for Christ, and had been chosen by the churches to assist Paul in the responsible work of collecting and conveying the money an arrangement which Paul cordially approves, inasmuch as it shut off the possibility of suspicion or scandal against himself in the handling of the contributions. The second, whose name has also been omitted (early commentators guessed Apollos) had been selected by the apostle himself, partly on the ground of his firm belief in the liberality o