Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
- 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
In the previous section of this letter, Paul gave some thoughts on practicing generosity and trusting in God to meet our needs. Here, he discusses the attributes of the three people he was sending to them – Titus and two others who remain unnamed. This section is essentially a letter of introduction and recommendation for these three men who would come to receive the collection for the believers in Jerusalem.
Paul begins in verse 16 by expressing gratitude to God for instilling in Titus the same earnest care he himself has for the Corinthians. This verse highlights the importance of shared concern and alignment in ministry. It is God who places this deep care and concern within the hearts of His servants, ensuring that they are unified in their purpose and mission.
Titus not only accepts Paul's request but does so with enthusiasm and self-motivation (verse 17). This verse underscores the value of willingly and eagerly participating in ministry. Titus’ initiative shows a proactive and passionate approach to serving others, which is a key attribute for anyone in a position of spiritual leadership.
In verses 18-19, Paul mentions another Christian brother, well-regarded by the churches, who will accompany Titus. Though he remains unnamed here, this brother’s reputation for his service to the gospel speaks volumes about his character and dedication. The brother accompanying Titus was chosen by the churches, highlighting a communal decision-making process. The selection of trustworthy individuals in handling church matters is crucial, as it maintains integrity and trust within the community. Collective responsibility and transparency are essential for handling financial matters, ensuring that the process honors the Lord and reflects the eagerness to assist those in need.
In verses 20-21, Paul and his team are proactive in maintaining integrity and preventing any potential criticism regarding the administration of the offering. This demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability in handling church funds. By addressing potential concerns beforehand, Paul ensures that the integrity of the ministry remains intact, not just before God but also before other people. This dual accountability is crucial in ministry, as it ensures that actions are above reproach and can withstand scrutiny from both divine and human perspectives.
Another man is brought up in verse 22 as being sent with Titus and the other brother, and this man remains unnamed here as well. We know that he has demonstrated zeal and proven his worth in various ways. This highlights the importance of proven character and zeal in ministry. Confidence in the Corinthians' response further motivates this brother’s involvement, reflecting mutual trust and respect.
While these other two brothers are helping the cause, in verse 23 Paul affirms Titus as his partner and coworker. The other brothers are representatives of the churches and also serve to honor Christ in their duties. This recognition of their roles underscores the collaborative nature of ministry and the honor associated with serving Christ faithfully.
This section concludes in verse 24 with Paul encouraging the Corinthians to demonstrate their love and validate the pride Paul has in them. This public display of support and affection serves as a testament to the church’s genuine commitment and love, fostering a sense of unity and encouragement among the believers.
The most curious part of this passage is that the two men accompanying Titus are not named. This may be because Titus would introduce them personally when they arrived in Corinth, as the church there may not have known of them previously. Or perhaps both of them were already well-known and they need not be identified at this time. The names may also have been left out of the letter to keep these men more neutral. The Scriptures do not give us a clear answer to this question.
Another question that may be raised is why was it necessary to have three people do this task. Wouldn’t it be sufficient for one person to pick up and deliver the collection? One person could have opened up the church to accusations of mishandling the collection. Two independent parties would be necessary to promote full integrity in the matter, and since Paul was close with Titus, he chose two others as well.
Paul’s meticulous approach in these verses provides a guide for both church leaders and members, emphasizing the importance of integrity, accountability, and mutual respect in the body of Christ. Ministry should be driven by a genuine and God-given concern for others, and participants should be willing and enthusiastic. Those chosen to handle ministry responsibilities should be well-regarded and trustworthy, as these brothers were. Integrity is essential in all matters, and Paul encourages this by acknowledging and valuing the contribution of each person involved. Just as Paul operated with integrity in his ministry, especially regarding finances, the Church today should do the same.
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