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The Mission of Titus

16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion[a] I have for you, 17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager,[b] he is coming[c] to you of his own accord.[d] 18 And we are sending[e] along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.[f] 19 In addition,[g] this brother[h] has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift[i] to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help.[j] 20 We did this[k] as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. 21 For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.[l] 22 And we are sending[m] with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you. 23 If there is any question[n] about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers[o] of the churches, a glory to Christ. 24 Therefore show[p] them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.[q]

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:16 tn Or “eagerness.”
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:17 tn The comparative form of this adjective is used here with elative meaning.
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:17 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:17 tn Or “of his own free will.”
  5. 2 Corinthians 8:18 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
  6. 2 Corinthians 8:18 tn Grk “the brother of whom the praise in the gospel [is] throughout all the churches.”
  7. 2 Corinthians 8:19 tn Grk “gospel, and not only this, but.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation.
  8. 2 Corinthians 8:19 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the brother mentioned in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  9. 2 Corinthians 8:19 tn That is, the offering or collection being taken to assist impoverished Christians.
  10. 2 Corinthians 8:19 tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied (see L&N 25.68).
  11. 2 Corinthians 8:20 tn “This” refers to sending the brother mentioned in 2 Cor 8:18 to Corinth along with Titus. The words “We did this” have no equivalent in the Greek text, but are necessary to maintain the thought flow in English. The Greek participle that begins v. 20 continues the sentence begun in v. 18 which concerns the sending of the other brother mentioned there.
  12. 2 Corinthians 8:21 sn An allusion to Prov 3:4.
  13. 2 Corinthians 8:22 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
  14. 2 Corinthians 8:23 tn Grk “If concerning Titus” (εἴτε ὑπὲρ Τίτου, eite huper Titou); the Greek sentence opens with an ellipsis which must be supplied: If [there is any question] about Titus.”
  15. 2 Corinthians 8:23 tn Grk “apostles.”
  16. 2 Corinthians 8:24 tc The sense of this translation is attested by the fact that most of the later mss, along with several early and significant ones (א C D2 Ψ 0225 0243 1739 1881 M lat), have the imperative verb ἐνδείξασθε (endeixasthe) in place of the participle ἐνδεικνύμενοι (endeiknumenoi), which is found in B D* F G 33. Since an imperatival participle is more Hebraic in style, many scribes would not have understood the idiom as easily and would have been likely to change the participle to an imperative (so TCGNT 513-14). But there is no good reason why scribes would change the imperative into a participle. Thus, ἐνδεικνύμενοι is almost surely the wording of the original text.tn In the Greek text ἐνδεικνύμενοι (endeiknumenoi) is a present participle which is translated as an imperative verb (see BDF §468; ExSyn 650-52).
  17. 2 Corinthians 8:24 tn Or “our boasting about you.”

Plans for the Collection

16 But thank God, who put the same commitment that I have for you in Titus’ heart. 17 Not only has he accepted our challenge but he’s on his way to see you voluntarily, and he’s excited. 18 We are sending the brother who is famous in all the churches because of his work for the gospel along with him.

19 In addition to this, he is chosen by the churches to be our traveling companion in this work of grace, which we are taking care of for the sake of the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our desire to help. 20 We are trying to avoid being blamed by anyone for the way we take care of this large amount of money. 21 We care about doing the right thing, not only in the Lord’s eyes but also in the eyes of other people.

22 We are sending our brother with them. We have tested his commitment in many ways and many times. Now he’s even more committed, because he has so much confidence in you. 23 If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and coworker among you. If there is any question about our brothers, they are the churches’ apostles and an honor to Christ. 24 So show them the proof of your love and the reason we are so proud of you, in such a way that the churches can see it.

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