2Cor 8:6, 16-24, 12:18 | JFB | STEP | 6. Insomuch that-- As we saw the Macedonians' alacrity in giving, we could not but exhort Titus, that as we collected in Macedonia, so he in Corinth should complete the work of collecting which he had already begun there, lest ye, the wealthy people of Corinth, should be outdone in liberality by the poor Macedonians. as he had begun-- Greek, "previously begun," namely, the collection at Corinth, before the Macedonians began to contribute, during the visit to Corinth from which he had just returned. finish in you the same grace-- complete among you this act of grace or beneficence on your part. also-- as well as other things which he had to do among them [Alford].

‏ 2 Corinthians 8:6

6. Insomuch that--As we saw the Macedonians' alacrity in giving, we could not but exhort Titus, that as we collected in Macedonia, so he in Corinth should complete the work of collecting which he had already begun there, lest ye, the wealthy people of Corinth, should be outdone in liberality by the poor Macedonians.

as he had begun--Greek, "previously begun," namely, the collection at Corinth, before the Macedonians began to contribute, during the visit to Corinth from which he had just returned.

finish in you the same grace--complete among you this act of grace or beneficence on your part.

also--as well as other things which he had to do among them [Alford].

‏ 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

16-17. Returning to the subject of 2Co 8:6.

for you--Translate, "Which put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus," as was in myself. My care for you led me to "desire" him (2Co 8:6, 17, "exhortation," the same Greek); but Titus had of himself the same care, whence he "accepted (gladly) my exhortation" (2Co 8:17) to go to you (2Co 8:6).

18. the brother, whose praise is in the gospel--whose praise is known in connection with the Gospel: Luke may be meant; not that "the Gospel" here refers to his written Gospel; but the language implies some one well known throughout the churches, and at that time with Paul, as Luke then was (Ac 20:6). Not a Macedonian, as appears from 2Co 9:4. Of all Paul's "companions in travel" (2Co 8:19; Ac 19:29), Luke was the most prominent, having been his companion in preaching the Gospel at his first entrance into Europe (Ac 16:10). The fact that the person here referred to was "chosen of the churches" as their trustee to travel with Paul in conveying the contribution to Jerusalem, implies that he had resided among them some time before: this is true of Luke, who after parting from Paul at Philippi (as he marks by the change from "we" to "they," Ac 16:11) six years before, is now again found in his company in Macedonia. In the interim he had probably become so well known that "his praise was throughout all the churches." Compare 2Co 12:18; Phm 24. He who is faithful in the Gospel will be faithful also in matters of inferior importance [Bengel].

19. not that only--not only praised in all the churches.

chosen--by vote: so the Greek.

of the churches--therefore these companions of Paul are called "messengers of the churches" (2Co 8:23).

to travel--to Jerusalem.

with this grace--Greek, "in the case of this grace," or "gift."

to the glory of the same Lord--The oldest manuscripts omit "same."

declaration of your ready mind--The oldest manuscripts read, "our," not your. This and the previous clause, "to the glory of the same Lord," do not follow "administered by us," but "chosen of the churches to travel," &c. The union of the brother with Paul in this affair of the collection was done to guard against suspicions injurious "to the glory" of the Lord. It was also done in order to produce a "readiness" on the part of Paul and the brother to undertake the office which each, by himself, would have been less ready to undertake, for fear of suspicions arising (2Co 8:20) as to their appropriation of any of the money.

20. Avoiding--taking precautions against this.

in this abundance--in the case of this abundance.

21. The Septuagint (Pr 3:4; Ro 12:17). The oldest manuscripts read, "For we provide."

honest things--"things honorable."

22. This second brother, Birks supposes to be Trophimus: for a Macedonian is not meant (2Co 9:4) probably the same as was sent before with Titus (2Co 12:18); and therefore sent from Ephesus, and probably an Ephesian: all this is true of Trophimus.

oftentimes ... in many things--Join and translate as in the Greek, "many times in many things."

upon the great confidence which I have in you--"through the great confidence WHICH HE HAS towards you" [Alford]. Bengel better supports English Version, "We have sent ... through the confidence WHICH WE FEEL in regard to your liberality."

23. fellow helper concerning you--Greek, "fellow worker towards you."

our brethren--the two mentioned in 2Co 8:18, 22.

messengers--rather, as the Greek, "apostles": in the less strict sense (Ac 14:14).

of the churches--sent by the churches, as we are by the Lord (Php 2:25). There was in the synagogue an ecclesiastical officer, called "the angel of the Church," whence the title seems derived (compare Re 2:1).

24. The oldest manuscripts read "[continue] manifesting to them in the face of the churches the manifestation of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf."

‏ 2 Corinthians 12:18

18. I desired Titus--namely, to go unto you. Not the mission mentioned 2Co 8:6, 17, 22; but a mission previous to this Epistle, probably that from which he had just returned announcing to Paul their penitence (2Co 7:6-16).

a brother--rather "OUR (literally, 'the') brother"; one well known to the Corinthians, and perhaps a Corinthian; probably one of the two mentioned in 2Co 8:18, 22.

same spirit--inwardly.

steps--outwardly.