We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.
Parallel Translations
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We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.
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We have sent with them a brother of oures whom we have ofte tymes proved diliget in many thynges but now moche more diligent. The great confidence which I have in you: hath caused me this to do:
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And we haue sent with them our brother, whom we haue oft times prooued to be diligent in many thinges, but nowe much more diligent, for the great confidence, which I haue in you.
Cross-references (1)
Passages linked to 2 Corinthians 8:22 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Philippians 2:20-22 For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you. For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. But you know the proof of him, that as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (16 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 22. On account of the great confidence. The meaning…
22. On account of the great confidence. The meaning is, “I am not afraid of their coming to you proving vain and fruitless; for I have felt beforehand an assured confidence, that their embassy will have a happy issue; I am so well aware of their fidelity and diligence.” He says that the brother, whose name he does not mention, had felt more eagerly inclined; partly because he saw that he had a good opinion of the Corinthians, partly because he had been encouraged by Titus, and partly because he saw many distinguished men apply themselves to the same business with united efforts. Hence one thing only remained — that the Corinthians themselves should not be wanting on their part.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 22 And we have sent with them our brother,…
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
Ver. 22. Whom we have oft] Some are of the opinion that Luke is here deciphered rather than 2Co 8:19. Whoever it was, it is much for his honour, that Apelles-like he was approved in Christ, and active for the Church, Rom 16:10.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain This brother is uncertainly guessed at, nor is it…
This brother is uncertainly guessed at, nor is it at all material for us to know whether it were Epenetus, or Apollos, or Sosthenes, or any other; it is sufficient for us to know, that he was a brother, and one of whose diligence and faithfulness the apostle, and the churches where Paul now was, had had experience; and that he was now very ready and forward to be employed in this service, upon the apostle’s recommendation of this church unto him.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Whether any do inquire of Titus,.... The apostle here…
Whether any do inquire of Titus,.... The apostle here sums up the characters of each of the above persons; as for Titus, he says,
he is my partner; he had been his companion in his travels, a partner with him in preaching the Gospel, as well as in the troubles and persecutions he had met with; and was one with whom he had had sweet communion and fellowship:
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and fellow helper; or worker,
concerning you; he had been a joint instrument with him, either in their conversion, or consolation, and correction; or for their edification and instruction, and setting things right, which had been out of order among them:
or our brethren be inquired of; if their characters are asked after, as well as Titus's; by whom are meant not his fellow apostles, but the two brethren who were sent along with Titus; what may be truly said of them is,
they are the messengers of the churches; they were chosen and sent forth by the churches, not only to preach the Gospel, but particularly to take care of the ministration to the poor saints. They were messengers appointed by the churches for this service, and were also appointed to the service of the churches; respect seems to be had to the public minister in the synagogues, who was called "the messenger of the congregation", or "church" (z); whose business was to take care about the reading of the law and the prophets, to pray in public, and also to preach if there was no other; so we read (a) also of , "the messengers of the sanhedrim"; who were sent at the proper time to reap the sheaf of the first fruits, and of others who swore the high priest before the day of atonement (b); and of , "the messengers of the commandment" (c); who went to hear the exposition (of the traditions) and visit the head of the captivity:
and the glory of Christ: meaning either that the churches were the glory of Christ, in whom he is glorified, where his glory is seen, and his presence enjoyed; or rather the messengers of them, on whom the image of Christ was stamped, who faithfully performed the work of Christ, in all things sought his glory and not their own; and in and by whom his glory was displayed, and held forth to others.
(z) T. Bab. Sota, fol. 37. 2. Tosephot Beracot, fol. 34. 1. Misn. Beracot, c. 5. sect. 5. (a) Misn. Menachot, c. 10. 3. (b) Misn. Yoma, c. 1. 5. (c) T. Bab. Succa, fol. 26. 1.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain With them - With Titus and Luke. Our brother…
With them - With Titus and Luke. Our brother - Perhaps Apollos.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 22. We have sent with them] Titus and,…
Verse 22. We have sent with them] Titus and, probably, Luke, our brother, probably Apollos.
Now much more diligent] Finding that I have the fullest confidence in your complete reformation and love to me, he engages in this business with alacrity, and exceeds even his former diligence.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain And we have sent with them our brother -…
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-laborer of Paul.
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But now much more diligent ... - Who will now prove himself much more diligent than ever before.
Upon the confidence ... - Margin, “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.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain With much confidence in you, either for Titus, &c.…
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 St. Paul himself had in them, that they would shew great respect to Titus, and to the other brethren whom he sent. He concludes, (ver. 24.) by exhorting them to these charitable contributions, which he calls the manifestation of their charity, in the sight of the Churches. Literally, in the face of the Churches, in your public meetings. (Witham) --- Most commentators understand here Apollo, but without any certainty. (Bible de Vence)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain This second brother, BIRKS supposes to be Trophimus: for…
This second brother, BIRKS supposes to be Trophimus: for a Macedonian is not meant (Co2 9:4) probably the same as was sent before with Titus (Co2 12:18); and therefore sent from Ephesus, and probably an Ephesian: all this is true of Trophimus.
oftentimes . . . in many things--Join and translate as in the Greek, "many times in many things."
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upon the great confidence which I have in you--"through the great confidence WHICH HE HAS towards you" [ALFORD]. BENGEL better supports English Version, "We have sent . . . through the confidence WHICH WE FEEL in regard to your liberality."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 22. Our brother—Mr. Baynes makes it clear that St.…
22. Our brother—Mr. Baynes makes it clear that St. Paul here designates Erastus. He was sent by Paul with Timothy to Macedonia. The result of their labours there before St. Paul’s arrival is described in 2Co_8:1-6. Erastus soon after this is at Corinth, (Rom_16:23,) and took his residence there, 2Ti_4:20. It is, indeed, objected that the Erastus of Rom_16:23 could not have been Paul’s companion at Ephesus, inasmuch as he was chamberlain of the city. But how long he had laboured with Paul at Ephesus is not said; and in being sent around by Macedonia, he was only going by a circuitous route home to Corinth. Chamberlain means treasurer, financier; and this will accord with Paul’s eulogy, that he had been diligent in many things; that is, efficient in many business matters. Or it may be thought that Paul, in giving his greetings to Rome, mentions Erastus’ official rank as formerly having been city treasurer.
More diligent… confidence in you—Striking out the I have, inserted by the translators, we translate the passage, but now much more energetic from his much confidence in you. Erastus was all the more suitable for raising collections at Corinth from the fact that being himself a Corinthian he had full confidence of success.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 22. And we have sent with them] Literally, as…
22. And we have sent with them] Literally, as before, 2Co_8:18, we sent with them, i.e. with the other two.
our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent] See for this third brother, the note on 2Co_8:18. Dr Plumptre suggests Clement, as one dear to St Paul and known to the Philippians (Php_4:3).
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upon the great confidence which I have in you] The margin, ‘he hath,’ is to be preferred. This brother had no doubt been at Corinth, and was quite certain that the Corinthians, in spite of all shortcomings, would in the end come up to St Paul’s highest anticipations.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (22) And we have sent with them our brother.—Who…
(22) And we have sent with them our brother.—Who this second unnamed brother was is again simply matter of conjecture. Of the names connected with St. Paul at this period, that of Tychicus seems to have the greatest balance of probabilities in its favour. He went up with St. Paul to Jerusalem on this very business (Act_20:4), and the tone in which the Apostle speaks of him in Eph_6:21, Col_4:7, exactly agrees with his language here. In 2Ti_4:12, Tit_3:12, we have further evidence of his being one of the most trusted of the couriers, or “messengers,” of the Apostolic Church. The name of Clement has, however, I think, some claim to consideration. St. Paul refers to him as an active fellow-worker (Php_4:3). He was connected with the Philippians. Assuming his identity with Clement of Rome, this gives him a point of contact with the Church of Corinth, to which Clement addressed his Epistle. On the other hand, the distinction drawn in 2Co_9:4 between these brethren and the Macedonians may seem to exclude Clement, as it has been thought to exclude Aristarchus and Sopater and Secundus. The word translated “diligent” (“earnest” in 2Co_8:16) is used by St. Paul only in this passage. It implies what we might almost call the “business-like” side of the Christian type of character, and is therefore employed with special fitness here.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Our brother. It is impossible to conjecture with any…
Our brother. It is impossible to conjecture with any certainty who was the brother thus warmly eulogized. Clement, Epaenetus, Apollos, Luke, Zenas, Sosthenes, Trophimus, and Tychicus have all been suggested. Stanley conjectures that the two who accompanied Titus were the Ephesians Tychicus and Trophimus (Act_20:4 Act_21:9; Eph_6:21; Tit_3:12; Col_4:7)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 22–24. We have sent with them. With Titus and…
22–24. We have sent with them. With Titus and the brother named in verse 18. The brother referred to here and commended so highly is nowhere named.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain And we have sent with them our brother, whom…
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he hath in you . [As to this third party, Alford well says, "Every possible person has been guessed." There is no means of determining who it was. Paul's words show that he had been often used by the apostle because of his earnestness, and that he was employed in this work because he evidently knew and had great confidence in the Corinthians.]
J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 with them
with them
The word "them" refers to Titus and the previously mentioned brother.
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he is my partner and fellow worker for you
"he is my partner who works with me to help you"
As for our brothers
This refers to the two other men who will accompany Titus.
they are sent by the churches
This can be stated in active form. AT: "the churches have sent them" (See: Active or Passive)
They are an honor to Christ
This can be stated with a verbal phrase. AT: "They will cause people to honor Christ" (See: Abstract Nouns)
translationWords
brother
test
Titus
church
honor
Christ
love
boast
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.