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16 But thanks be to God, who placed the same sincere care in the heart of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation. But being more zealous, he went to you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches. 19 And not only that, but he was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which we administer to the glory of the same Lord, and to declare your willing mind, 20 to prevent any man from blaming us in administering this abundant gift, 21 providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.

22 Furthermore, we have sent with them our brother whom we have frequently proved diligent in many things, but now is much more diligent, due to the great confidence which he has in you. 23 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you. Or if our brothers are inquired about, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.

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Arrangements for Administering the Corinthians’ Gift

16 But thanks be to God, who has put in the heart of Titus the same devotion on your behalf[a], 17 because he not only welcomed our request, but being very earnest, by his own choice he went out[b] to you. 18 And we have sent at the same time with him the brother whose praise in the gospel has become known throughout all the churches. 19 And not only this, but he was also chosen by the churches as our traveling companion together with this gift that is being administered by us to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help. 20 We are trying to avoid this, lest anyone should find fault with us in this abundant gift that is being administered by us. 21 For we are taking into consideration what is honorable not only before the Lord, but also before people. 22 And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times in many things that he is diligent, but now much more diligent because of his great confidence in you. 23 If there is a question concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. If there is a question concerning our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show to them the proof of your love and our boasting about you openly before[c] the churches.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:16 Literally “on behalf of you”
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:17 Or “he is going out” (if this verb is understood as an epistolary aorist)
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:24 Literally “to the face of”

Titus Sent to Receive the Collection

16 Thanks be to God,(A) who put into the heart(B) of Titus(C) the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.(D) 18 And we are sending along with him the brother(E) who is praised by all the churches(F) for his service to the gospel.(G) 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us(H) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.(I) 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.(J)

22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus,(K) he is my partner(L) and co-worker(M) among you; as for our brothers,(N) they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,(O) so that the churches can see it.

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