2 Corinthians 8:23 — meaning, Hebrew and Greek word study, commentary
2 Corinthians 8:23
Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Titus · noun — genitive singular masculine, a proper name
my
ἐμόςemós
G1699
my
partner
κοινωνὸςkoinōnos
G2844
a sharer · noun — nominative singular masculine
and
καὶkai
G2532
and · conjunction
fellowhelper
συνεργός·sunergos
G4904
a co-laborer · adjective — nominative singular masculine
concerning
εἰςeis
G1519
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered) · preposition
you
ὑμᾶςhymâs
G5209
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
or
εἴτεeite
G1535
if too · conditional particle
our
ἡμῶνhēmōn
G2257
of (or from) us
brethren
ἀδελφοὶadelphoi
G80
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (m… · noun — nominative plural masculine
messengers
ἀπόστολοιapostoloi
G652
a delegate · noun — nominative plural masculine
churches
ἐκκλησιῶν,ekklēsiōn
G1577
a calling out · noun — genitive plural feminine
glory
δόξαdoxa
G1391
glory (as very apparent) · noun — nominative singular feminine
Christ
Χριστοῦ.Christou
G5547
anointed · noun — genitive singular masculine, a title
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (James Strong, 1890/1894), public domain; digitized by Open Scriptures (CC BY-SA). KJV word tagging: eBible.org (public domain). Original-language text, parsing and brief lexicon: STEPBible.org data from Tyndale House, Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
Cross-references
Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he…
Philemon 1:17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
2 Corinthians 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
3 John 1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
Luke 5:7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the…
Luke 5:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth t…
2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
Cross-references from OpenBible.info (CC BY), in the lineage of the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain).
Commentary
Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 8:16–end
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 t…
fellow helper concerning you--Greek, "fellow worker towards you."
our brethren--the two mentioned in Co2 8:18, Co2 8:22.
messengers--rather, as the Greek, "apostles": in the less strict sense (Act 14:14).
of the churches--sent by the churches, as we are by the Lord (Phi 2:25). There was in the synagogue an ecclesiastical officer, called "the angel of the Church," whence the title seems derived (compare Rev 2:1).
Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 8:23
Whether any do inquire of Titus - Should it be asked, Who is this Titus? I answer, he is my companion, and my fellow laborer in reference to you; Co2 2:13; Co2 7:6, Co2 7:7. Should any inquire, Who are these brethren, Luke and Apollos? I answer, They are Αποστολοι, apostles of the Churches, and intensely bent on promoting the glory of Christ.
John Gill on 2 Corinthians 8:23
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:
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 T…
The Church Fathers
The two "as for" phrases do not denote a contrast between them but rather emphasize the similarity.
And then, after having showed forth their virtue, he exhorts them also on their behalf, saying, "Whether any inquire about Titus; he is my partner and my fellow-worker to youward." What is, "Whether about Titus?" 'If,' says he, 'it be necessary to say any thing, this I have to say,' "that he is my partner and fellow-worker to youward." For he either means this; or, 'if ye will do anything for Titus, ye will do it unto no ordinary person, for he is "my partner."' And whilst appearing to be praising him, he magnifies them, showing them to be so disposed towards himself as that it were sufficient ground of honor amongst them that any one should appear to be his "partner." But, nevertheless, he was not content with this, but he also added another thing, saying, "fellow-worker to youward." Not merely "fellow-worker," 'but in matters concerning you, in your progress, in your growth, in our friendship, in our zeal for you;' which last would avail most especially to endear him unto them. "Or our brethren:" 'or whether you wish,' he says, 'to hear any thing about the others: they too have great claims to be commended to you. For they also,' he saith, 'are our brethren, and, "The messengers of the Churches,"' that is, sent by the Churches. Then, which is greater than all, "The glory of Christ;" for to Him is referred whatever shall be done to them. 'Whether then ye wish to receive them as brethren, or as Apostles of the Churches, or as acting for the glory of Christ; ye have many motives for good will towards them. For on behalf of Titus, I have to say, that he is both "my partner," and a lover of you; on behalf of these, that they are "brethren," that they are "the messengers of the churches," that they are "the glory of Christ." Seest thou that it is plain from hence also, that they were of such as were unknown to them? For otherwise he would have set them off by those things with which he had also set off Titus, namely, his love towards them. But whereas as yet they were not known to them, 'Receive them,' he says, 'as brethren, as messengers of the churches, as acting for the glory of Christ.'
The Church Fathers: public-domain translations (Ante-Nicene and Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers), verse-indexed by SermonIndex (CC BY 4.0).
Dictionary and topics
Apostle — A person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (Heb. 3:1; John 20:21). It is, however, generally used as…
Philippians, Epistle to — Was written by Paul during the two years when he was “in bonds” in Rome (Phil. 1:7-13), probably early in the year A.D. 62 or in the end of 61. The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus, their messenger,…
Trophimus — A foster-child, an Ephesian who accompanied Paul during a part of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:4; 21:29). He was with Paul in Jerusalem, and the Jews, supposing that the apostle had brought…
Tychicus — Chance, an Asiatic Christian, a “faithful minister in the Lord” (Eph. 6:21, 22), who, with Trophimus, accompanied Paul on a part of his journey from Macedonia to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). He is alluded…
Minister, Christian · .MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCH — .MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCH
Titus · Paul’ s love for — Paul’ s love for
Dictionary: Easton's (1897) and Smith's (1863), public domain. Topics: Nave's Topical Bible (1896) and Torrey's Topical Textbook (1897), public domain. Both as parsed by NEUU (CC BY 4.0).
2 Corinthians 8:18-24
18. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
18. Misimus autem una cum illo fratrem, cuius laus est in Evangelio per omnes Ecclesias.
19. And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
19. Nec id solum, verum etiam delectus ab Ecclesiis est comes peregrinationis nostrae, cum hac beneficentia [688] quae administratur a nobis, ad eiusdem Domini gloriam, et animi vestri promptitudinem:
20. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered b…
they bring honor to Christ: Paul’s last phrase is even more expressive in Greek (literally they are the glory of Christ)—they are examples of Christians who reflect the Lord’s splendor (3:1-18).
