2Cor 8:18, 22-23 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 18. And we have sent with him the brother . It has been generally supposed that this anonymous brother was Luke. Some have supposed, however, that it was Mark; others that it was Silas or Barnabas. It is impossible to determine with certainty who it was; nor is it material to know. Whoever it was, it was some one well known, in whom the church at Corinth could have entire confidence. It is remarkable that though Paul mentions him again, , he does it also in the same manner, without specifying his name. The only circumstances that can throw any light on this are, (1.) that Luke was the companion and intimate friend of Paul, and attended him in his travels. From , where Luke uses the term "we," it appears that he was with Paul when he first went into Macedonia; and, from , it is clear that he went with Paul to Philippi. From , where Luke alters his style, and uses the term "they," it is evident that he did not accompany Paul and Silas when they went to Thessalonica, but either remained at Philippi, or departed to some other place, he did not join them again until they went to Troas, on the way to Jerusalem, . In what manner Luke spent the interval is not known. Macknight supposes that it might have been in multiplying copies of his gospel for the use of the churches. Perhaps also he might have been engaged in preaching, and in services like that in the case before us. (2.) It seems probable that Luke is the person referred to by the phrase, "whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches." This would be more likely to be applied to one who had written a gospel, or a life of the Redeemer, that had been extensively circulated, than to any other person. Still it is by no means certain that he is the person here referred to, nor is it of material consequence. Whose praise . Who is well known and highly esteemed. Is in the gospel . Either for writing the gospel, or for preaching the gospel. The Greek will bear either construction. In some way he was celebrated for making known the truths of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 8:18

Verse 18. And we have sent with him the brother. It has been generally supposed that this anonymous brother was Luke. Some have supposed, however, that it was Mark; others that it was Silas or Barnabas. It is impossible to determine with certainty who it was; nor is it material to know. Whoever it was, it was some one well known, in whom the church at Corinth could have entire confidence. It is remarkable that though Paul mentions him again, 2Cor 12:18, he does it also in the same manner, without specifying his name. The only circumstances that can throw any light on this are,

(1.) that Luke was the companion and intimate friend of Paul, and attended him in his travels. From Acts 16:10,11, where Luke uses the term "we," it appears that he was with Paul when he first went into Macedonia; and, from Acts 16:16, it is clear that he went with Paul to Philippi. From Acts 17:1, where Luke alters his style, and uses the term "they," it is evident that he did not accompany Paul and Silas when they went to Thessalonica, but either remained at Philippi, or departed to some other place, he did not join them again until they went to Troas, on the way to Jerusalem, Acts 20:5. In what manner Luke spent the interval is not known. Macknight supposes that it might have been in multiplying copies of his gospel for the use of the churches. Perhaps also he might have been engaged in preaching, and in services like that in the case before us.

(2.) It seems probable that Luke is the person referred to by the phrase, "whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches." This would be more likely to be applied to one who had written a gospel, or a life of the Redeemer, that had been extensively circulated, than to any other person. Still it is by no means certain that he is the person here referred to, nor is it of material consequence.

Whose praise. Who is well known and highly esteemed.

Is in the gospel. Either for writing the gospel, or for preaching the gospel. The Greek will bear either construction. In some way he was celebrated for making known the truths of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 8:22-23

Verse 22. And we have sent with them our brother. Who this was is wholly unknown, and conjecture is useless. Some have supposed that it was Apollos, others Silas, others Timothy. But there are no means of ascertaining who it was; nor is it material. It was some one in whom Paul had entire confidence.

Whom we have oftentimes proved diligent. Of whom we have evidence that he has been faithful. It is evident, therefore, that he had been the companion and fellow-labourer of Paul.

But now much more diligent, etc. Who will now prove himself much more diligent than ever before.

Upon the great confidence, etc. Marg., "he hath." The margin is doubtless the 'more correct reading' here. The idea is, that this brother had great confidence in the Corinthians that they would give liberally, and that he would, therefore, evince special diligence in the business.

(1) "I have" or "he hath" Verse 23. Whether any do enquire of Titus. It is to be observed that the words "any do inquire" are not in the original; nor is it clear that these are the most proper words to be introduced here. The Greek may mean either "if any do inquire about Titus," or it may mean "if anything is to be said about Titus." The sense of the passage may either be, that some of the faction at Corinth might be disposed to inquire about the authority of Titus to engage in this work, or that Paul having said, so much in commendation of the persons who went with Titus, it seemed proper to say something in his favour also. The idea is, "If any inquiry is made from any quarter about him, or if it is necessary from any cause to say anything about him, I would say he is my partner," etc.

He is my partner, etc. He partakes with me in preaching the gospel, and in establishing and organizing churches. Comp. Tit 1:5. To the Corinthians this fact would be a sufficient commendation of Titus.

Or our brethren be enquired of. That is, the brethren who accompanied Titus. If any inquiry was made about their character, or if it was necessary to say anything in regard to them.

They are the messengers of the churches. They have the entire confidence of the churches, having been selected and appointed by them to a work of labour and responsibility. Comp. Php 2:25. The words here rendered "messengers of the churches," are in the original "apostles of the churches," (αποστολοιεκκλησιων.) The word apostles here is used evidently in its proper sense, to denote one who is sent out to transact any business for others, or as an agent or legate. These persons were not apostles in the technical sense: and this is an instance where the word is applied in the New Testament to those who had no claim to the apostolic office. It is also applied in a similar way to Apollos and Barnabas, though neither, strictly speaking, was an apostle.

And the glory of Christ. That is, they have a character so well known and established for piety, they are so eminent Christians, and do such honour to the Christian name and calling, that they may be Called the glory of Christ. It is an honour to Christ that he has called such persons into his church, and that he has so richly endowed them. Every Christian should so live as that it would appear to all the world that it was an honour and glory to the Redeemer that he had such followers; an honour to his gospel that it had converted such and brought them into his kingdom. It is sufficient honour, moreover, to any man to say that he is "the glory of Christ." Such a character should be, and will be, as it was ere, a recommendation sufficient for any to secure them the confidence of others.

(a) "messengers" Php 2:25