2 Corinthians 8:16-24

Butler's Commentary

SECTION 3

Carefulness (2 Corinthians 8:16-24)

16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus 1, Titus 17For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. 18With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel; 19and not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work which we are carrying on, for the glory of the Lord and to show our good will. 20We intend that no one should blame us about this liberal gift which we are administering, 21for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of men. 22And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your -service; and as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24So give proof, before the churches, of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

2 Corinthians 8:16-19 Of Administration: In this text we have an apostolic admonition concerning carefulness in our giving. Christian stewardship involves more than merely giving. It demands careful, discriminating, prudent and conscientious giving. Ray Stedman writes:

The combined amount of Christian giving in the United States alone has been estimated at well over half billion dollars a year.. That is a lot of money, and yet much of it is wasted. Much is given to causes that ought not to be supported, or given in ways that are foolish and spendthrift. Much of it goes to line people's pockets, to be used for the enrichment of a few and the exploitation of many. We desperately need to be helped in our giving, learning to give responsibly with intelligence and care, so that the money goes to the right purposes and is used in the right way. (Expository Studies in 2 Corinthians, pg. 158)

Paul reports to the Corinthian church that the administration of the money they are collecting for the brethren in Judea will be done properly, honestly and openly. The Corinthians may rest assured their money will go to serve the purpose for which they gave it.

First, it will be administered by more than one person. Paul, alone, will not be handling the money. Accompanying Paul to Jerusalem with the offering will be Titus, Paul's co-worker, the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel, and our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, (2 Corinthians 8:16-18; 2 Corinthians 8:22). Second, the two unnamed brethren were appointed (Gr. cheirotonetheis, elected by show of hands, 2 Corinthians 8:19) or were messengers (Gr. apostoloi, apostles; one's sent) of the churches. Titus-' veracity and integrity had been tested and is verified by Paul. He says that God put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus as was in Paul's heart for the Corinthians. Titus-' earnest care (Gr. spouden diligence) for the Corinthians was not forced. He gladly responded to Paul's request for help in this matter of his own accord (Gr. authairetos, comb. of autos, self, and haireomai, choice, option). The RSV translates 2 Corinthians 8:18, ... the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching. but the word preaching is not in the Greek text. Literally, 2 Corinthians 8:18 reads, ... the brother of whom the praise (Gr. epainos, praise, applause, honor, commendation) in the gospel is throughout all the churches.. It may be that this brother's fame was for living the gospel rather than preaching the gospel. That would be more apt to commend him to the Corinthians as worthy of administering the collection than merely his preaching. The point to emphasize, however, is that two of the administrators of this offering were specifically chosen by the churches. This provided safeguards for Paul's reputation. It provided the churches with assurance as well as satisfaction that they were personally involved in administering the offering by having chosen these administrators. It is the responsibility of all Christians to insist on the practice of this principle of more than one hand administering the funds they give for the Lord's work. The Christian who gives to a Christian organization not following this principle is not being a good steward. It is the individual giver's responsibility to see that it is so. That is why Paul was reporting this to the Corinthians church! More than one hand administering is not fulfilled in Christian organizations where one founder or one administrator controls the financial operations and accounts. Nor is it being practiced in organizations operated by nepotism (family members in all administrative positions). That is why Paul called for those appointed by the churches to help him rather than confine the administration of the offering to himself and his immediate co-laborers.

In 2 Corinthians 8:19 Paul calls the work of taking the Corinthian offering to the saints in Judea, this grace being ministered by us. All of Paul's works were works of grace works motivated by grace which are in reality, human grace in grateful return for the free grace given first by God. What the Corinthians gave to the Judeans was by their grace. Man, the recipient of divine grace, is to cultivate the virtue of graciousness in his own character. Both the offering and its administration were by virtue of human graciousness in the Corinthians and in Paul. The apostle uses the Greek word diakonoumene, often translated, deacon, and the RSV translates it, .. the work which we are carrying on.. The NASV is better, translating diakonoumene administered. Paul had two motives for involving himself in the administration of the offering from Corinth to Judea. First, to glorify (bring honor to, to praise, to give rank to) the Lord Jesus Christ. Second, to show his own passionate readiness (Gr. prothumian, see 2 Corinthians 8:11-12) to serve the Corinthians in their spiritual pilgrimage. He had written much about his willingness and desire to serve themnow he wishes to show it by seeing that their offering is responsibly delivered to the Judean brethren.

2 Corinthians 8:20-24 Of Accountability: 2 Corinthians 8:20 is the pivotal sentence in this text. Paul intended that no one should find fault (Gr. momesetai, blame) with his (and his co-workers) administration of the funds to relieve the Judean Christians. To avoid any hint of scandal he took precaution (Gr. stellomenoi, present tense, middle voice, of to place, set in order) or made arrangement to make his administration of the offering fully accountable to both the Lord and to men. The RSV translates stellomenoi, We intend. The NASV translates it, taking precaution. The latter is the better translation. It was not merely Paul's intention to make his work accountable, he made arrangements that it would be so!

It was the apostle's aim (Gr. pronooumen, take thought for) to be accounted honorable before the Lord and before men. His aim was not some generalization, it was specifiche gave it thought, he reasoned out an arrangement to make it come to pass. He arranged to be accounted honorable (Gr. kala, good) in the sight of (Gr. enopion, before, in the presence of) the Lord and of men. Every Christian is accountable for his stewardship before the Lord (Matthew 18:23; Luke 16:2; Romans 14:12; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 4:5) and before men (Matthew 5:16; John 15:8; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13; 1 Timothy 5:7-8; Romans 14:18; 1 Peter 2:12).

All Christian churches, missions, and para-church organizations, whose very existence depends on the gracious stewardship of individual Christians, are obligated by scriptural command and apostolic precedent to make an accounting in the presence of the Lord and the presence of men. It must not only be their aim to do so, they must make arrangements or take precautions to do so. Those who give must be given an open, honest, good report of the administration of their gifts. It is the responsibility of individual Christians to support only those Christian works which are willing to make arrangements for sound financial auditing, accounting, and reporting. Such financial responsibility is honorable (good) before the Lord and men.

In 2 Corinthians 8:22-23 Paul discusses again the character and credentials of those who will be helping him deliver the collection to Judea. The brother whose name Paul did not mention, was not his blood-brother, but a brother in the Lord. He had been tested (by circumstances) many times and in many ways as he labored with Paul, and the apostle had always found him earnest (Gr. spoudaion, diligent). Now, he was much more diligent to help Paul because somehow he had gained great confidence (Gr, pepoithesei, assurance, trust, persuasion, obedience) in the spiritual aims of the Corinthians. Perhaps he had visited Corinth and heard the Christians there passionately expressing their desire to help the needy Judeans; perhaps he saw that they all participated equally in the offering. This brother joins Paul's ministry of the offering under the auspices of the churches. Paul is willing to testify as to the brother's character and capabilities. But he wants it remembered that the brother was accredited by the churches for this ministry.

Titus gets special mention by Paul. Titus is called, my partner (Gr. koinonos, sharer, participant, communicant, partner) and fellow worker in your service (Gr. eis humas sunergos). And, while Titus was Paul's child in the faith (Titus 1:4), he was still a messenger of the churches for which Christ was to get the glory not Paul.

In light of all Paul has said thus far about the offering from Corinth, he now summarizes (2 Corinthians 8:24); by saying, So give proof, before the churches, of your love and of our boasting about you to these men. In light of the motives Paul has given them, in light of the method (equality) he advises, and in light of the management (accountability) he promises, nothing should stand in their way of completing what they had so eagerly started a year ago. They had said much about how they loved their Judean brethren and how they were eager to help now let them give proof (Gr. endeixin, from deiknumi, to show, to point out, to demonstrate, to make a token) of their love (Gr. agapes, God-like love). Paul wants the Corinthians to demonstrate their love, not to him, but to the churches. Paul had boasted to other churches of their lovenow he asks them to prove that what he had been telling others was so.

The stewardship of giving, according to apostolic motives, methods and management, is proof of a Christian's love! There is no getting around that. We may equivocate and rationalize all we wish but that will not erase these words from the pen of the inspired apostle! Paul stated this earlier (2 Corinthians 8:8) and will state it again (2 Corinthians 9:13). Proving our love for Christ and for men can only be done by giving (1 John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:19-21; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 10:29-37; Luke 16:1-9; Luke 16:19-31; Luke 18:18-30; etc.). Perhaps this is why Jesus spent so much time telling parables and teaching about GIVINGit is the one, undeniable way to prove one's love; not just giving, but CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP.

Applebury's Comments

The Mission of Titus and His Associates
Scripture

2 Corinthians 8:16-24. But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches; 19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness: 20 avoiding this that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us: 21 for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he hath in you. 23 Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to youward; or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ. 24 Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.

Comments

thanks be to God.The writings of Paul are full of praise and thanksgiving to God. He was aware that everything that he had been able to accomplish or ever hoped to accomplish had been made possible because God had given him the gracious privilege of serving as the apostle of Christ. He praised God for His comforting care in affliction; he thanked God for leading him in triumph in Christ and making it possible for the gospel to be made known through his efforts. It was God who comforted him through the coming of Titus with the report of improved conditions in Corinth. He thanked God who motivated such men as Titus and his associates to share in the task of assisting the churches to gather funds for the relief of the saints in Judea.

who putteth the same earnest care for you in the heart of Titus.God made man with the capacity to respond to appeals to relieve the needs of others. He had used Paul to stir up this interest in the heart of Titus. More than that, Titus had seen for himself the desire of the Corinthians to relieve the suffering saints in Judea. People do respond to the cry of their fellowmen for help, for God created them with the capacity to do so. But information about the specific needs must be given if this capacity is to become effective. More than that, this capacity can and should be trained that it might be developed to its fullest extent. Training should begin with children. It should be carried on by the leaders of the church through instruction and example so that the whole family of God might have a wholesome concern for the needs of others. The basic root of all this concern is God's own love for the world demonstrated by the fact that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. The Lord exhorted men to love their enemies and do good to those who persecuted them.

he accepted indeed our exhortation.Titus-' heart had been stirred by what he had seen in Corinth. They had begun to carry out the order which Paul had given them. He willingly accepted Paul's appeal to continue his assistance to them, for it was in perfect accord with his own decision.

It is a rare thing when effective work in the church is accomplished by those who respond to undue pressure to teach a class, to serve as deacons, or to do the many other things necessary to carry out the total work of the congregation. Unless a man's heart is in it, as in the case of Titus, in all probability it would be better for him not to attempt the task.

with him the brother.Two others who are designated brothers were to accompany Titus and assist him in this ministry. Their names are not given. Speculation as to their identity has been indulged in through centuries to no profit. Had it been important surely Paul would have given the names. But he does commend them highly Paul never hesitated to commend his fellow-workers such as Timothy, Titus, Apollos and the many others who had proven themselves worthy of such commendation.

This brother had received the commendation throughout all the churches because of his work in the gospel. Paul did not hesitate to pass this information along to the Corinthians. This same principle if followed carefully would save many a church from those whose reputations elsewhere are not good. The leaders of the churches should insist on looking into the reputation of new teachers who come into their midst. Indeed, the Corinthian church could have been saved much grief had they investigated the reputations of the super-apostles who had come into their midst attacking the reputation and ministry of Paul. The brethren at Antioch could have been spared a severe split in the church if they had looked into the reputation of those who came from James. See Galatians 2:11-21.

appointed by the churches.How these men were selected is not indicated. A good example of how it might have been done is given in Acts 6:1-6. The apostles set forth the qualifications and urged the church to select the men to fit these qualifications. Just how the church went about selecting the men is not indicated but when they had completed the task they brought the men before the apostles who put them in charge of the task. Another example is given in Acts 14:23. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church. The word appoint could mean and probably did indicate that this was done with the approval of the church. Titus was given the task of appointing elders in every city in Crete, probably with the approval of the churches as they followed the qualification which Paul had given them. See Titus 1:5-9.

Those selected to travel with Paul and the others in this gracious ministry for the glory of the Lord were men of good reputation among the churches. Paul was eager to have such assistance.
It should be pointed out that these men were selected for a specific task and represented the churches only in the task for which they were selected. In no sense did they become representatives to make decision for the congregations. The New Testament indicates that the congregations were interdependent as well as independent.

avoiding this, that any man should blame us.Paul was aware of the fact that there were those who would assume that the collections were being made for his own benefit. False charges easily arise making it necessary for those who handle the funds of the congregation to be above reproach in every regard and to be able to prove their honesty against any false charge. Judas even stole from the treasury of Jesus and the apostles. See John 12:6. Why allow the treasurer of a church to be put into a position where he might be accused of such a thing? He should have someone to check his work; his books should be audited and every precaution should be taken for his sake and for the protection of those who contribute to the fund. Paul avoided the possibility of any improper handling of money entrusted to his care. He took thought for things honorable not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

this bounty which is ministered by us.The term bounty comes from the word which means thickness or fullness and was used to describe a plant that had reached its full development or its fruit that had become ripe. It aptly describes the generous giving of the church that had been preparing for this effort and were soon to bring it to completion.

Just as time is needed for a plant to grow and produce fruit, so a congregation should be given time to (1) to be adequately informed regarding financial projects and (2) to let their contributions grow to the point where they are adequate for the needs for which they are being given.

we have sent with them our brother.Paul had urged Titus to undertake this mission, the churches had selected the brother with a good reputation in the gospel to accompany him, and Paul had sent still another proven man on this mission. His earnestness had been proven on many occasions and heightened at this time because of his great confidence in the willingness of the Corinthians to respond generously to this appeal.

Whether any inquire about Titus.Paul had already written a great deal about Titus, but to make sure that any question about him could be fully answered, he adds, He is my partner and fellow-worker to you-ward. This is characteristic of Paul's attitude toward those who labored with him. See, for example, his attitude toward Apollos in 1 Corinthians 3:4-9. For his attitude toward Timothy see Philippians 2:19-24.

the messengers of the churches.As the footnote in some Bibles indicates, the word messenger is actually apostle. It means one who is sent on a mission. It is not to be assumed that they had equal authority with the apostles of Christ, for those men were commissioned by Him and equipped for their task by being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Since the term was one in common use designating anyone being sent on a mission, it becomes absolutely necessary to study each context to learn who the sender is in order to avoid confusion over the use of the term. Here, for that very purpose, it is rendered messengersa word which comes from Latin but means the same thing.

Long usage has accustomed us to use apostle to refer to those sent by Christ, but to use missionary to designate those who are sent out by churches to proclaim the gospel.

the glory of Christ.All thisthe selection, the commendation, and the sending of the men to protect the reputation of the apostle and the otherswas for the glory of the Lord.

Too often this basic principle is forgotten. Many assume that the tasks that they may be performing in connection with the work of the gospel are for their own glory. Evidently there were such in Corinth, for Paul had to write the last section of this epistle to show that such people were in reality servants of Satan.

in the face of the churches the proof of your love.Paul had not hesitated to remind Corinth of the generosity of the Macedonian churches. Now he urged them to respond in like manner demonstrating before the churches their love for the Lord. This was not to be some hypocritical display (Matthew 6:2-4). It was to be the sincere response of Christian love, the example of which would motivate others to respond in the same manner.

our glorying on your behalf.Paul had been boasting both to Titus and the Macedonians about the preparation that Achaia had made for this task.

Summary

The collection for the saints in Jerusalem is discussed in Chapter s eight and nine. The order to make such a collection had been given in the first epistle. The second epistle gave more detailed instruction about that offering.
Paul lifted giving above the level of begging by showing that it is a favor from God. The Macedonians had begged for the privilege of sharing in such a project. Rather than begin with the fact that Corinth was lagging in the matter, Paul told them about the thing that Macedonia was doing despite their affliction and deep poverty. How this must have stirred Corinth to action!
Paul spoke of the riches of Macedonian single-minded devotion to the Lord. This is what made their contribution a thing of liberality. They gave beyond their power; they gave of their own accord; they begged for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, They gave even beyond the hopes of the apostle Paul. The secret? Macedonia had given themselves first, both to the Lord and to Paul. The latter was done by furnishing men to go with him on the trip to Jerusalem. All this was done through the will of God. Paul did not say that they gave themselves to the Lord and then gave money to him. The money was given for Jerusalem. Dedication to the Lord caused the Macedonians to give to the relief of His saints in Judea.
The Macedonian devotion to Paul stood in contrast to the Corinthian opposition to him. Because of the example of Macedonia, Paul urged Titus to complete the task of collecting funds for Jerusalem, since he had already begun the work, so that Corinth might share in this grace also.
Paul urged Corinth to abound in this favor just as they had in spiritual gifts and Christian character. Giving was commended, but the measure was regulated by love. In love, they were to follow the example of Christ who became poverty-stricken on the cross that he might enable men to share His heavenly riches.
Paul had boasted much about the Macedonians, but he also complimented the Corinthians: they were first to willingly undertake this task. It would be well for them to bring it to completion. When the readiness was present, the gift was acceptable according to one's ability, not according to what he did not have.

Another principle regulating the amount to be given is equality. Material help sent by Corinth would meet Jerusalem's need. What was Jerusalem's abundance that would fill Corinth's need? Some suggest that it was material need at some future date. But Paul's remarks in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 may be to the point. Their gift had resulted in thanksgiving to God; they needed to respond to the gracious privilege of sharing as Macedonia had done. Thus material need was balanced by spiritual want. God's miraculous power produced equality in gathering the manna. God's grace produced equality for Jerusalem and Corinth as He met the needs of each.

Paul explained the mission of Titus and his associates. Titus responded to his appeal to complete the work at Corinth, since he had already become interested in it, for God had put it in his heart to do so. To avoid criticism about handling the funds, Paul sent the others to help Titus. One who had a good reputation in the gospel among the churches was selected by them for the task. New Testament churches did cooperate through individuals of good reputation in order to carry out the Lord's work. Paul sent still another brother whom he had tested and found to be earnest many times in many things. Titus, in case anyone inquired, was Paul's partner and fellow-worker. The brethren were sent by the churches. The work to be done was for the glory of Christ.
Paul urged Corinth to give a demonstration of their love before these brethren and a reason for his boasting about their being prepared to share in this task.