2 Corinthians 8 18

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 verses

2 Corinthians 8 18 Meaning

2 Corinthians 8:18 indicates that Paul dispatched a specific, unnamed brother to accompany Titus in managing the collection for the Jerusalem saints. This brother was highly esteemed and well-known among all the churches for his significant and effective ministry related to the Gospel message itself. The verse highlights the care Paul took to ensure integrity and trustworthiness in the handling of communal funds.

2 Corinthians 8 18 Context

This verse is situated within 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, which address the collection being organized by Paul for the impoverished Christian saints in Jerusalem. Paul's appeal to the Corinthian church is part of a larger initiative to foster unity between Gentile and Jewish believers and provide practical assistance. He emphasizes the Macedonians' generous giving (2 Cor 8:1-5) as an example. The decision to send multiple, highly regarded individuals like Titus and this unnamed brother demonstrates Paul's meticulous concern for transparency and accountability in handling the funds. This was crucial, not only to ensure the proper management of the considerable sum being collected but also to guard against any accusations or slanders from Paul's adversaries who might question his integrity or motives regarding financial matters (2 Cor 8:20-21). The collection itself symbolized unity, obedience, and overflowing generosity as a testament to God's grace.

2 Corinthians 8 18 Word analysis

• And we have sent along with him: Greek kai synepepsametha (καὶ συνεπεμψάμεθα). The verb is synepepsametha, meaning "we sent along with," emphasizing a collaborative sending or accompaniment. This highlights the joint mission and the principle of sending multiple trusted persons for accountability and validation. It shows Paul did not operate alone.

• the brother: Greek ton adelphon (τὸν ἀδελφόν). This term denotes a fellow Christian believer. The text purposely leaves him unnamed, a practice that sometimes indicates the individual was well-known to the recipients and didn't require explicit identification. Historically, scholars, referencing early church traditions and circumstantial evidence from Acts, frequently identify this brother as Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts, known to have accompanied Paul on many journeys, particularly those involving such collections. The focus, however, is on his qualities rather than his personal name.

• who is praised: Greek hou o epainos (οὗ ὁ ἔπαινος), literally "whose praise." This signifies widespread recognition and commendation. The word epainos implies public approval and high regard. This praise is not merely informal but indicates a proven character and reliable service recognized broadly.

• by all the churches: Greek en pasais tais ekklēsiais (ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις). This emphasizes the universal recognition and esteemed reputation of this individual among various Christian communities, not just Paul’s inner circle or one specific locality. This widespread acknowledgement underscored his suitability and trustworthiness for a mission requiring transparency and integrity.

• for his service to the gospel: Greek en tō euaggeliō (ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ). This phrase denotes that his praise and reputation are specifically rooted in his effective and faithful work for the cause of the Gospel. It’s not just a general good reputation, but one earned through dedication to spreading, living, and ministering the good news of Christ, whether through preaching, teaching, writing, or practical acts of service that advanced the Gospel mission. This connects his practical administrative role directly to his spiritual impact.

• words-group by words-group analysis

  • "And we have sent along with him the brother": This phrase introduces a new, critical co-worker alongside Titus, underscoring the layered administrative structure Paul put in place for the collection. It also highlights collegiality and shared responsibility within the apostolic team.
  • "who is praised by all the churches": This emphasizes the exceptional and widespread reputation of the unnamed brother, confirming his high moral standing and credibility. It shows Paul wasn't sending just anyone, but someone with a pre-existing, strong, external validation from multiple Christian communities.
  • "for his service to the gospel": This crucial phrase specifies the nature of his praise. His good standing wasn't due to personal charisma or worldly achievements, but directly because of his impactful, faithful, and recognized ministry for the Gospel. This underscores that his administrative role was deeply intertwined with his spiritual calling and credibility as a servant of Christ.

2 Corinthians 8 18 Bonus section

The identification of the "unnamed brother" with Luke is a persistent tradition, reinforced by observations in the Book of Acts (often called the "we passages," which indicate Luke's presence with Paul on various journeys, including those likely related to the collection). While the Bible intentionally leaves him unnamed here, it subtly magnifies the principle that proven character and effective ministry—acknowledged widely by the body of Christ—are more important than individual fame. This anonymity underscores humility and elevates the collective witness of the churches and the primacy of the Gospel message over personal recognition. The detail also shows that Paul went above and beyond basic requirements, instituting a three-fold delegation (Titus, this brother, and the brother mentioned in verse 22), not just for accountability, but to underscore the weight and spiritual significance of the charitable collection.

2 Corinthians 8 18 Commentary

2 Corinthians 8:18 provides insight into Paul's meticulous integrity and administrative wisdom concerning the collection for the saints. By sending this widely praised, unnamed brother alongside Titus, Paul ensured transparency and guarded against potential accusations of mishandling funds. This emphasis on bringing multiple, universally respected individuals to oversee financial contributions reflects a profound understanding of human nature and the necessity of blamelessness in ministry. The brother's reputation stemmed not from worldly renown but from his tangible and effective work for the Gospel, meaning his practical service directly aided the spread of Christ's message. This verse exemplifies biblical principles of accountability, the importance of good witness in financial matters, and the value of Spirit-filled partners in mission, where character and service to the Gospel are paramount. It serves as a model for financial oversight within the church, where integrity must be seen by both God and humanity.