And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.

“Again he praises Titus. For since he had discoursed of almsgiving, he afterwards discourseth also of those who are to receive the money from them and carry it away. For this was of aid towards this collection, and towards increasing the forwardness of the contributors. For he that feels confidence as to him that ministereth, and suspects not those who are to be receivers, gives with the fuller bountifulness. And that this might be the case then also, hear how he commends those that had come for this purpose, the first of whom was Titus. Wherefore also he saith, "But thanks be to God, Which put (literally, 'gave') the same earnest care into the heart of Titus." What is "the same?" Which he had also in respect to the Thessalonians, or "the same" with me. And mark here wisdom. Showing this to be the work of God, he also gives thanks to Him that gave, so as to incite by this also. 'For if God stirred him up and sent him to you, He asks through Him. Think not therefore that what has happened is of men.' And whence is it manifest that God incited him?”

“After he has treated of the giving of the collections, here he consequently treats of the ministers through whom the collections are made. And concerning this he does two things. First he names them; second he commends them to the Corinthians, at "the showing therefore which is," etc. Concerning the first he does three things. For first he names Titus; second Barnabas, at "we have also sent with him the brother," etc.; third Apollo, at "we have sent with them," etc. Concerning Titus he commends two things, namely his solicitude and the sign of his solicitude, at "for indeed the exhortation," etc. He says therefore first: I have said, above, that I asked Titus to complete this grace concerning the gathering of alms, which is incumbent upon my solicitude by the ordination of the apostles, in which matter I also found him solicitous; and therefore I give thanks to God, who gave the same solicitude, which I have, for you, to be exhorted and advanced to works of mercy, in the heart of Titus; because he too is solicitous, just as I am, that he may complete this grace in you. Heb. 6:11: we desire each one of you to show the same solicitude, etc. Rom. 12:8: he who presides, in solicitude. Now the sign of this solicitude is that when I asked him, he himself consented to my exhortation. And therefore he says: for indeed he received the exhortation. And because he pursued what I asked, whence he says: but since he was more solicitous by his own will than by my exhortation, he set out to you; who nevertheless at first refused to come on account of your sins. Rom. 12:11: in solicitude, not slothful. Consequently, when he says "but we have sent," etc., he treats of the second minister. And concerning this he does two things. First he commends him; second he adds the reason why he sends such solemn messengers, at "avoiding," etc. This brother, according to some, is Luke, or according to others Barnabas, whom indeed he commends from three things: from fame, because his praise, namely Luke's, is in the Gospel written by him throughout all the Churches, because it has been approved by the apostles. Or whose praise, namely Barnabas's, is in the Gospel preached by him throughout all the Churches, because to the Jews and to the Gentiles. Whence it is said of Barnabas, Acts 11:24, that he was a good man, full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Likewise he commends him from his companionship, because he is not only famous, but has also been appointed by the Churches of Judea as a companion of my pilgrimage, that is, of my preaching, by which, as pilgrims, we go about the world. Above ch. 5:6: as long as we are in the body, we are pilgrims from God, etc. And this is true of Luke, because he was one of the seventy-two disciples, and a companion of Paul. Of Barnabas likewise, because through the Holy Spirit it is said, Acts 13:2: separate for me Barnabas and Paul unto the work, etc. And he was made a companion in this grace, namely of the collection of alms. Or in this grace, namely of preaching, of which it is said Eph. 3:8: but to me, the least of all the saints, etc. Likewise he commends him from office, because he is a minister of the grace which is ministered by us. 1 Cor. 4:1: so let a man esteem us. Above ch. 3:6: who also has made us fit, etc. Now this grace is ministered unto the glory of the Lord, that is, that our Lord may be glorified, namely from the alms given, from the conversion of very many peoples to our preaching, because, as it is said Prov. 14:28, in the multitude of the people, etc. Likewise it is ministered, that our will may be fulfilled, because we wish this to be done. And therefore he says: and our will, destined — that is, predestined by God, who predestined from eternity that we should have such a will. Consequently, when he says "avoiding," etc., he assigns the cause why he sends such solemn messengers. And first he assigns the reason for this; second he proves it, at "we provide therefore," etc. He says therefore: the reason why we send such solemn messengers is this: that you may know that a business of this kind is present to our heart. And therefore he says "avoiding this," namely lest anyone, etc., as if to say: that we might avoid the reproach which could be cast upon me by some, either of negligence, if I did not send diligent men, or of fraud, if I did not send trustworthy ones. And these were diligent and ready and trustworthy, because they were given by the Churches and chosen through the Holy Spirit. Above ch. 6:3: giving no offense to anyone, etc. Now he says "in this abundance," namely of alms or of the conversion of the Gentiles. 1 Pet. 4:10: each one, as he has received grace, unto one another, etc. And he proves this, saying "for we provide," etc., as if to say: I rightly say "avoiding," because we provide — that is, we ought to provide — good things, that is, that our works may be good not only before God, that we may please him, but also before men, that is, that they may appear good to them. And this he does, by carefully procuring and imitating the good. Rom. 12:9: cleaving to the good, etc. Consequently, when he says "but we have sent with them our brother also," etc., he treats of the third messenger, namely of Apollo. Where he does two things. First, he commends him for his solicitude, when he says "whom," namely Apollo, "we have often proved to be solicitous for your salvation; but now much more solicitous." For, as appears above, Apollo was the first who preached at Corinth after the apostle. 1 Cor. 3:6: I planted, Apollo watered. But this man, disturbed by their sin, withdrew, and set aside the solicitude which he had before had for them. But now, having heard of their conversion, he became more solicitous for their salvation than he had been before. Eph. 4:3: solicitous to keep the unity of the spirit, etc. Rom. 12:8: he who presides, in solicitude, etc. Second, he adds the cause of the solicitude which he took up, because Apollo trusted concerning you from those things which Titus said about you, commending you. Whence he says "with much confidence in you," whether on account of Titus who is my companion, and because he willingly came into the fellowship of Titus and Luke or Barnabas, and because he was induced to this by the apostles of the Churches which are in Judea. And therefore he says "or our brethren," the apostles of the Churches of Judea, namely they induced him to have solicitude for you. Which Churches indeed are "of the glory of Christ," that is, unto the glory of Christ. Consequently, when he says "the showing therefore which is," etc., he commends these messengers to the Corinthians, saying: because we have sent such men to you, therefore "the showing," etc., that is, show by deed, that you have charity toward them, and that I have truly commended you, and that I have truly gloried concerning you in the face of the Churches, to which I have come and to which I have preached. Or "in the face of all the Churches," because what you do to them will become known to all the Churches.”

“In these verses the apostle commends the brethren who were sent to them to collect their charity; and as it were, gives them letters credential, that, if they were enquired after (Co2 8:23), if any should be inquisitive or suspicious concerning them, it might be known who they were and how safely they might be trusted. I. He commends Titus, 1. For his earnest care and great concern of heart for them, and desire in all things to promote their welfare. This is mentioned with thankfulness to God (Co2 8:16), and it is cause of thankfulness if God hath put it into the hearts of any to do us or others any good. 2. For his readiness to this present service. He accepted the office, and was forward to go upon this good errand, Co2 8:17. Asking charity for the relief of others is by many looked upon as a thankless office; yet it is a good office, and what we should not be shy of when we are called to it. II. He commends another brother, who was sent with Titus. It is generally thought that this was Luke. He is commended, 1. As a man whose praise was in the gospel through all the churches, Co2 8:18. His ministerial services of several kinds were well known, and he had approved himself praiseworthy in what he had done. 2. As one chosen of the churches (Co2 8:19) and joined with the apostle in his ministration. This was done, it is most likely, at the motion and request of Paul himself; for this reason, that no man might blame him in that abundance which was administered by him (Co2 8:20), so cautious was the apostle to avoid all occasions that evil-minded men might lay hold on to blacken him. He would not give occasion to any to accuse him of injustice or partiality in this affair, and thought it to be his duty, as it is the duty of all Christians, to provide for things honest, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men; that is, to act so prudently as to prevent, as far as we can, all unjust suspicions concerning us, and all occasions of scandalous imputations. Note, We live in a censorious world, and should cut off occasion from those who seek occasion to speak reproachfully. It is the crime of others if they reproach or censure us without occasion; and it is our imprudence at least if we give them any occasion, when there may not be a just cause for them so to do. III. He commends also another brother who was joined with the two former in this affair. This brother is thought to be Apollos. Whoever he was, he had approved himself diligent in many things; and therefore was fit to be employed in this affair. Moreover, he had great desire to this work, because of the confidence or good opinion he had of the Corinthians (Co2 8:22), and it is a great comfort to see those employed in good works who have formerly approved themselves diligent. IV. He concludes this point with a general good character of them all (Co2 8:23), as fellow-labourers with him for their welfare; as the messengers of the churches; as the glory of Christ, who were to him for a name and a praise, who brought glory to Christ as instruments and had obtained honour from Christ to be counted faithful and employed in his service. Wherefore, upon the whole, he exhorts them to show their liberality, answerable to the great expectation others had concerning them at this time, that these messengers of the churches, and the churches themselves, might see a full proof of their love to God and to their afflicted brethren, and that it was with good reason the apostle had even boasted on their behalf, Co2 8:24. Note, The good opinion others entertain of us should be an argument with us to do well.”

“For indeed, he accepted the exhortation,.... The Macedonians besought the apostle with much entreaty to give unto him, Co2 8:4 or which being moved by their example, they gave unto him, namely, that he would go and finish what he had already begun; and accordingly he did not refuse, but readily accepted the exhortation: yea, not only so, but being more forward; than was known or could have been expected; which shows that this was put into his heart by God, before it was moved unto him; so that if he had never been asked, or exhorted hereunto, he would have gone of himself: of his own accord he went unto you; so great is his care of you; so great his love unto you so willing was he to come again and pay another visit: and especially on this account, where he had before been treated with so much respect and kindness. Titus having been at Corinth already, and being well known there, the apostle forbears saying anything more in his commendation.”

“But thanks be to God - He thanks God who had already disposed the heart of Titus to attend to this business; and, with his usual address, considers all this as done in the behalf of the Corinthian Church; and that though the poor Christians in Judea are to have the immediate benefit, yet God put honor upon them in making them his instruments in supplying the wants of others. He who is an almoner to God Almighty is highly honored indeed.”

“&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. (Witham)”

“Returning to the subject of Co2 8:6. for you--Translate, "Which put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus," as was in myself. My care for you led me to "desire" him (Co2 8:6, Co2 8:17, "exhortation," the same Greek); but Titus had of himself the same care, whence he "accepted (gladly) my exhortation" (Co2 8:17) to go to you (Co2 8:6).”