2 Corinthians 8 19

2 Corinthians 8:19 kjv

And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

2 Corinthians 8:19 nkjv

and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind,

2 Corinthians 8:19 niv

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.

2 Corinthians 8:19 esv

And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.

2 Corinthians 8:19 nlt

He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem ? a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.

2 Corinthians 8 verses

2 Corinthians 8 19 Meaning

2 Corinthians 8:19 describes the careful selection and mission of the delegate chosen by the churches to accompany Paul in overseeing the collection for the Jerusalem saints. This person, often identified by scholars as Luke or another trusted individual mentioned in the preceding verse (v.18), was formally appointed by the congregations, not just by Paul. Their purpose was twofold: to administer this substantial offering, referred to as a "generous undertaking" or "gift of grace," and through this process, to bring glory to the Lord and to publicly demonstrate the Corinthian church's eager and willing heart in giving. The emphasis is on transparency, accountability, and divine honor in the handling of church finances.

2 Corinthians 8 19 Context

2 Corinthians Chapter 8 is dedicated to the topic of the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, who were experiencing severe poverty. Paul uses the Macedonian churches as an inspiring example of generous giving, despite their own affliction and deep poverty (vv. 1-5). He then encourages the Corinthians to complete their earlier commitment to give (vv. 6-8), reminding them of Christ's ultimate act of selfless giving (v. 9). The chapter emphasizes not compulsion, but willingness and equality in giving (vv. 10-15).

Verse 19 introduces the trusted individuals chosen to assist Paul in administering these funds. Specifically, it highlights the delegate chosen by the churches, not merely appointed by Paul. This choice is crucial for establishing trust and transparency. Paul is meticulous about accountability to avoid any accusations or suspicion concerning the handling of a significant sum of money. The broader historical context includes ongoing Jewish-Gentile tensions, with the collection serving as a tangible expression of unity and brotherly love between the predominantly Gentile churches of Macedonia and Achaia and the Jewish Christians in Judea. Paul's integrity in financial matters was paramount to the gospel's credibility and the unity of the nascent Church.

2 Corinthians 8 19 Word analysis

• and not only so, but who was also chosen:

  • This phrase emphasizes a significant additional qualification of the unnamed brother introduced in v.18.
  • The Greek word for "chosen" is cheirotonētheis (χειροτονηθεὶς), a participle from cheirotoneō (χειροτονέω), which literally means "to stretch out the hand," and thus "to choose by vote, to appoint by show of hands." This signifies a formal, public election or appointment by the churches themselves, rather than merely an endorsement by Paul. It speaks to a democratic, communal decision. This demonstrates high levels of accountability and communal ownership in ministry.

• by the churches:

  • Specifically, this means by the churches of Macedonia or other contributing Gentile churches, not merely the church in Corinth. This emphasizes collective trust and multi-congregational endorsement. This delegate serves as a communal representative.

• to travel with us:

  • Implies active partnership and shared responsibility in the logistics and distribution. Paul desired accompaniment for integrity and fellowship. This arrangement mitigates potential accusations of fraud or mishandling.

• in this generous undertaking:

  • The Greek is en tēi chariti tautēi (ἐν τῇ χάριτι ταύτῃ), literally "in this grace." This term emphasizes that the collection is not just a monetary sum but an act flowing from divine grace and manifested in human generosity. Paul consistently refers to giving as an act of grace, linking it directly to God's benevolent character (2 Cor 8:1, 4, 6, 7). This reframes giving from obligation to an overflow of God's blessing.

• which is being administered by us:

  • The verb diakonoumenē (διακονουμένῃ), means "being ministered" or "being served," signifying that Paul and his associates are not merely custodians but are actively serving the process of collecting and distributing these funds. It highlights that the work of managing funds is also a form of ministry or service to the saints.

• for the glory of the Lord Himself:

  • pros tēn tou kyriou doxēn autou (πρὸς τὴν τοῦ Κυρίου δόξαν αὐτοῦ). This is the ultimate goal. All Christian endeavors, including financial management, must culminate in the honor and praise of Christ. This shifts the focus from human performance or philanthropy to divine exaltation. It grounds all actions in a God-ward perspective.

• and to show our readiness:

  • The Greek kai prothumian hēmōn (καὶ προθυμίαν ἡμῶν) implies a desire to prove their sincere zeal and eagerness in this matter. "Our" can refer to Paul and his team, demonstrating their genuine commitment, or perhaps to the churches in general, showcasing their shared eagerness. This phrase ensures transparency is for public good and validation of commitment, demonstrating integrity in both intent and action.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "not only so, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us": This group highlights the democratic and public selection process for financial oversight. It underlines Paul's commitment to accountability beyond his personal integrity, demonstrating respect for the churches' autonomy and promoting collective trust. The purpose of this election is not merely practical efficiency but also reputational integrity, preventing any accusations against Paul or the gospel.
  • "in this generous undertaking, which is being administered by us": This group clarifies the nature of the task – a gracious gift, not a common financial transaction – and the active, ministerial role Paul and his team play. It underscores that this "grace" (gift/collection) is something to be carefully stewarded as a divine responsibility, demonstrating service rather than personal gain.
  • "for the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our readiness": These phrases outline the dual, yet intertwined, objectives of the entire undertaking. The ultimate aim is divine honor, revealing the sacred nature of the act of giving and its administration. The secondary aim, inextricably linked to the first, is to display the genuine, eager commitment of those involved, confirming their uprightness and validating their sincere devotion. The latter is a public demonstration that serves to secure the former, proving genuine motives.

2 Corinthians 8 19 Bonus section

The specific identity of "who was also chosen" is a point of scholarly discussion. While some suggest this brother is Luke (due to his presence with Paul during his travels and the 'we' sections in Acts), others consider it Epaphroditus or another trusted companion of Paul who is not explicitly named. Regardless of the specific individual, the critical point for Paul is that the person was church-appointed, not simply a personal friend of Paul, providing a robust layer of accountability. This principle extends to all levels of financial oversight in the church today, where external audits, multiple signatories, and elected financial committees are often implemented to mirror this ancient model of communal oversight for integrity. The spiritual significance of this detail is that guarding against the appearance of evil, particularly concerning money, is vital for the health and reputation of Christian witness (1 Thess 5:22).

2 Corinthians 8 19 Commentary

2 Corinthians 8:19 illuminates key principles for financial stewardship within the Church, particularly concerning large-scale collections. The passage underscores the paramount importance of transparency and accountability in ministry. Paul's insistence that the delegate chosen to handle the collection was "chosen by the churches" (literally, "by raising hands" - cheirotonētheis) reflects a commitment to open, communal approval rather than unilateral appointment. This meticulous approach served multiple purposes: it safeguarded against potential accusations of mishandling funds (as Paul directly states in v.20-21), built trust among the various contributing churches, and reinforced the idea that financial matters are not peripheral but integral to the spiritual health and reputation of the body of Christ.

The "generous undertaking" is described as "this grace," elevating giving beyond mere philanthropy to a divinely inspired act of love. Its administration, characterized as "being ministered by us," highlights Paul and his team's service in facilitating this grace. Ultimately, the entire endeavor, from the willingness to give to its careful distribution, is directed "for the glory of the Lord Himself." This means that genuine financial integrity in the church serves as a powerful testimony to God's character and providence. It also served "to show our readiness," demonstrating Paul's own zealous and upright conduct, which validated the sincerity of his appeals for generosity and guarded against any skepticism towards his motives. This verse provides a timeless model for handling sacred contributions, emphasizing not just honest management, but visible, communal integrity that honors God.