II Corinthians 8:16-24
Brethren, I give thanks to God, Who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus, for indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you. We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches; and not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels for this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord and our determined will: avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us; for we forecast what may be good, not only before God, but also before men. And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have proved diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, with much confidence in you, either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow-labourer toward you, or our brethren the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ. Wherefore show ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Haydock
Verse 16. &c. The apostle then tells them, that he has sent Titus, and two other brethren of known probity and honesty, lest any one should suspect, that he, or they should turn these charitable contributions to their own profit and advantage by enriching themselves, that no one, saith he, might find fault with us in this abundance, which is managed by us. Wi.
Verse 18. Brother, whose praise is in the gospel, through all the Churches. It may either signify in writing or in preaching the gospel, so that though S. Jerom expound this of S. Luke, who wrote his gospel, (but probably not till after this time) yet S. Chrys. rather understands it of Barnaby, by the words that follow, who was ordained by the Churches companion of our travels. Others also guess it might be Silas or Silvanus. Who the third brother was, is also uncertain. Wi. — Commentators very in their opinions upon the person here mentioned. S. Chrys. and Theo. are of opinion, that this person is S. Luke or Barnabas; S. Jerom also thinks that it must be S. Luke the evangelist.
Verse 22-23. With much confidence in you, either for Titus, &c. Some expound it of the confidence which this the third brother had in the Corinthians, but it seems rather to be understood of the confidence which S. Paul himself had in them, that they would shew great respect both to Titus, and to the other brethren whom he sent. He concludes, (v. 24.) by exhorting them to these charitable contributions, which he calls the manifestation of their charity, in the sight of the Churches. Lit. in the face of the Churches, in your public meetings. Wi. — Most commentators understand here Apollo, but without any certainty. V.