2 Corinthians 8:18 kjv
And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
2 Corinthians 8:18 nkjv
And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches,
2 Corinthians 8:18 niv
And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.
2 Corinthians 8:18 esv
With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.
2 Corinthians 8:18 nlt
We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News.
2 Corinthians 8 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 32:21-22 | ...and this land will be before the Lord; then afterward you shall return...guiltless before the Lord and before Israel. | Integrity in fulfilling commitments |
| Prov 3:4 | So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. | Gaining good reputation with God and people |
| Rom 12:17 | Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. | Ethical conduct in public sight |
| Rom 15:26-28 | For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem...I will deliver this gift. | Paul's involvement with the collection |
| 1 Cor 4:1-2 | This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. | Stewards must be trustworthy |
| 1 Cor 16:3-4 | And when I arrive, I will send those whom you approve with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem. | Paul's arrangement for the collection |
| 2 Cor 7:2 | Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. | Paul's defense of integrity and trustworthiness |
| 2 Cor 8:16-17 | But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal but, being himself very earnest, he is going to you of his own accord. | Titus also sent to handle the collection |
| 2 Cor 8:19 | And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this act of grace... | Co-worker chosen by churches for the collection |
| 2 Cor 8:20-21 | We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift...Do what is right in the eyes of everyone. | Guarding against suspicion in financial matters |
| 2 Cor 12:17-18 | Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus to go... | Paul's commitment to blameless conduct |
| Gal 2:9-10 | ...they urged that we remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. | Importance of caring for the poor |
| Php 2:19-22 | I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon...For I have no one else like him...that Timothy's character has been approved. | Timothy's proven character in service |
| Php 2:25 | I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker... | Sending trusted fellow workers |
| 1 Thess 3:2 | and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s co-worker in the gospel of Christ... | Timothy, a proven co-worker in the gospel |
| 1 Tim 3:2,7 | Therefore an overseer must be above reproach...He must also have a good reputation with outsiders... | Requirement of a good reputation for leaders |
| 1 Tim 5:17-18 | Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. | Honor for those serving in word and teaching |
| Titus 1:7 | For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach... | Leader must be blameless as God's steward |
| Heb 13:7 | Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. | Leaders worthy of honor for their life/message |
| Heb 13:1 | Let brotherly love continue. | Encouragement for brotherly affection |
| 1 Pet 2:12 | Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers... | Living honorably among non-believers |
| 3 John 1:3-4 | For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth... | Joy over brethren walking in truth |
| 3 John 1:12 | Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. | Demetrius having good testimony and reputation |
2 Corinthians 8 verses
2 Corinthians 8 18 Meaning
This verse introduces a respected Christian worker who is being sent alongside Titus to Corinth, to assist with the collection for the Jerusalem believers. His noteworthy quality is that his reputation and ministry for the gospel are widely acknowledged and praised by all the churches. This endorsement emphasizes his integrity, effectiveness, and the trust he commands, particularly crucial for the sensitive task of handling communal funds.
2 Corinthians 8 18 Context
Chapter 8 of 2 Corinthians focuses on Paul's appeal to the Corinthian church to complete their promised contribution to the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Paul sets the example of the generous giving of the Macedonian churches (2 Cor 8:1-5) and then describes his motivation for sending Titus and other trusted individuals. This specific verse (2 Cor 8:18) introduces one of these individuals, an unnamed "brother," whose widespread good reputation, specifically in connection with his gospel ministry, makes him an ideal and trustworthy assistant for the critical task of transporting and administering these funds. Paul's sending of multiple credible individuals is a strategic move to ensure transparency, prevent accusations of mismanagement, and maintain the integrity of the offering (2 Cor 8:19-21), thereby protecting his own reputation and the honor of the gospel.
2 Corinthians 8 18 Word analysis
- And (Gr. de, δέ): A common connective particle, here signaling the addition of another person being sent, building upon the previous mention of Titus. It indicates a continuation and expansion of Paul's actions.
- we are sending along with him (Gr. synepémpsamen autōͅ, συνεπέμψαμεν αὐτῷ): This phrase uses the aorist tense, but in this context, it often conveys an action decided in the past with ongoing effects or the actual sending event as part of the present plan. "We" refers to Paul and his associates. "Him" refers to Titus, who was mentioned in the preceding verses (2 Cor 8:16-17). The prefix syn (συν-) means "with" or "together," emphasizing a cooperative effort in sending these messengers.
- the brother (Gr. ton adelphon, τὸν ἀδελφόν): "Brother" in early Christian parlance referred to a fellow believer. This individual is unnamed, a common occurrence in the New Testament when the identity might have been known to the original readers, or when the focus is on the function and character rather than the specific person, elevating the work over personal acclaim. The anonymity prevents personal glory and highlights his established reputation through service.
- whose praise (Gr. hou ho epainos, οὗ ὁ ἔπαινος): Epainos (ἔπαινος) signifies commendation, approval, good report, or recognition from others. It is distinct from boasting or seeking self-glory. This indicates an external, community-wide acknowledgment of his excellent character and work.
- is in the gospel (Gr. en tōͅ euangeliōͅ, ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ): This isn't merely that his praise is about the gospel, but that his praise stems from or is established through his work and conduct in spreading and living out the good news of Christ. His very life and ministry connected to the gospel have earned him this wide reputation.
- throughout all the churches (Gr. dia pasōn tōn ekklēsiōn, διὰ πασῶν τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν): This emphasizes the widespread and universally recognized nature of his commendation. It's not limited to a single congregation or region, but speaks to a reputation that transcends local boundaries, signifying significant influence and validated service among the wider body of believers.
- "we are sending along with him the brother": This group of words emphasizes Paul's deliberate act of commissioning. By sending with Titus, the unnamed brother is given an immediate connection to a trusted figure and placed within an established ministry team. The inclusion of an additional person underscores Paul's concern for accountability and partnership in the significant task of handling the offering.
- "whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches": This phrase encapsulates the essence of the brother's identity and qualifications. His standing isn't based on family lineage, wealth, or human-contrived honor, but on his demonstrable, widely recognized, and Spirit-led ministry of the gospel. The "praise" isn't self-sought but naturally flows from his dedicated service and adherence to gospel principles, making him trustworthy in both spiritual and practical matters like managing finances.
2 Corinthians 8 18 Bonus section
The anonymity of "the brother" is a significant detail. While some commentators speculate his identity (e.g., Luke or Apollos), the New Testament does not name him, and Paul refrains from doing so here. This intentional omission underscores that his identity is less important than his established character and ministry for the gospel. It models a Christ-centered ministry where the focus remains on the Lord and the work, rather than on personal fame or individual glory. It's the quality of his gospel work and the reputation it garnered from the churches, not his name, that made him a suitable and trusted partner for such a sensitive mission. This also reflects a pattern in Paul's ministry where gifted, reliable individuals were vital, but the mission itself always took precedence over personal branding. The emphasis on "all the churches" highlights a network of inter-church recognition and trust that validated a minister's character across different locales, strengthening the bond of fellowship and communal oversight.
2 Corinthians 8 18 Commentary
2 Corinthians 8:18 provides a window into Paul's strategic approach to ministry, particularly concerning financial stewardship. Recognizing the potential for suspicion in handling large sums of money, Paul not only sends Titus, whom he fully trusts, but also this highly esteemed "brother." The crucial detail about this brother is that his "praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches." This indicates a deep and broad recognition of his integrity and effectiveness as a minister of Christ's good news. His reputation isn't based on charismatic personality but on consistent, faithful service tied directly to the core message of Christianity. Paul's selection highlights a critical principle: those entrusted with financial administration within the church should be individuals of unimpeachable character, whose lives openly exemplify the very gospel they proclaim, and whose trustworthiness is validated by the wider Christian community. This commitment to transparency and accountability serves to protect both the integrity of the individuals involved and the reputation of the gospel itself from any possible reproach.