Titus Commended

Paul gives thanks that God has put the same care for Corinth into Titus' heart, and he says Titus is coming willingly, joined by a brother praised among the churches and appointed to travel with the gift. This arrangement honors the Lord and Paul's eager desire to help while also guarding the collection from criticism by doing what is right before both God and people.

B¹⁶ut thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you. ¹⁷For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition. ¹⁸Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel. ¹⁹More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the gracious offering we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. ²⁰We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift. ²¹For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.

Another proven brother also travels with them, now even more eager because of his confidence in Corinth. Paul identifies Titus as his partner and the others as messengers of the churches and then asks the Corinthians to show these men the proof of their love and the reason his boasting about them has been justified.

²²And we are sending along with them our brother who has proven his earnestness to us many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you. ²³As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. ²⁴In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.