8:16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion 5 I have for you, 8:17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, 6 he is coming 7 to you of his own accord. 8 8:18 And we are sending 9 along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel. 10 8:19 In addition, 11 this brother 12 has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift 13 to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help. 14 8:20 We did this 15 as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. 8:21 For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men. 16 8:22 And we are sending 17 with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you. 8:23 If there is any question 18 about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers 19 of the churches, a glory to Christ.
2:19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be encouraged by hearing news about you. 2:20 For there is no one here like him who will readily demonstrate his deep concern for you. 20 2:21 Others are busy with their own concerns, not those of Jesus Christ. 2:22 But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel.
1 tn A new sentence was started here in the translation and the word “thus” was supplied to indicate that it expresses the result of the previous clause.
2 tn Or “we exhorted.”
3 tn The words “this work” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted and must be supplied from the context.
4 tn Grk “this grace.”
5 tn Or “eagerness.”
6 tn The comparative form of this adjective is used here with elative meaning.
7 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
8 tn Or “of his own free will.”
9 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
10 tn Grk “the brother of whom the praise in the gospel [is] throughout all the churches.”
11 tn Grk “gospel, and not only this, but.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation.
12 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the brother mentioned in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
13 tn That is, the offering or collection being taken to assist impoverished Christians.
14 tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied (see L&N 25.68).
15 tn “This” refers to sending the brother mentioned in 2 Cor 8:18 to Corinth along with Titus. The words “We did this” have no equivalent in the Greek text, but are necessary to maintain the thought flow in English. The Greek participle that begins v. 20 continues the sentence begun in v. 18 which concerns the sending of the other brother mentioned there.
16 sn An allusion to Prov 3:4.
17 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
18 tn Grk “If concerning Titus” (εἴτε ὑπὲρ Τίτου, eite Juper Titou); the Greek sentence opens with an ellipsis which must be supplied: If [there is any question] about Titus.”
19 tn Grk “apostles.”
20 tn Grk “For I have no one who is like-minded who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.”