2 Corinthians 8:16
But thanks be to God, Which put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
Again he praises Titus. For since he had discoursed of almsgiving, he afterwards discourses 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 ministers, 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 says, 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?
2 Corinthians 8:17
For indeed he accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went forth of his own accord.
Observe how he also represents him as fulfilling his own part, and needing no prompting from others. And having mentioned the grace of God, he does not leave the whole to be God’s; again, that by this also he may win them unto greater love, having said that he was stirred up from himself also. For, being very earnest, he went forth of his own accord, ‘he seized at the thing, he rushed upon the treasure, he considered your service to be his own advantage; and because he loved you exceedingly, he needed not the exhortation I gave; but though he was exhorted by me also, yet it was not by that he was stirred up; but from himself and by the grace of God.‘
2 Corinthians 8:18
And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Gospel is spread through all the Churches.
And who is this brother? Some indeed say, Luke, because of the history which he wrote, but some, Barnabas; for he calls the unwritten preaching also Gospel. And for what cause does he not mention their names; while he both makes Titus known by name, and praises him for his cooperation in the Gospel, (seeing that he was so useful that by reason of his absence even Paul could do nothing great and noble; for, because I found not Titus my brother, I had no relief for my spirit,
2 Corinthians 8:19
And not only so.
What is, and not only so? ‘Not only on this account,’ he says, ‘is respect due to him, that he is approved as a preacher and is praised by all.’
But he was also appointed by the churches along with us.
Whence it seems to me, that Barnabas is the person intimated. And he signifies his dignity to be great, for he shows also for what office he was appointed. For he says,
To travel with us in the matter of this grace which is ministered by us. Do you see how great are these praises of him? He shone as a preacher of the Gospel and had all the churches testifying to this. He was chosen by us; and unto the same office with Paul, and everywhere was partner with him, both in his trials and in his dangers, for this is implied in the word travel. But what is, with this grace which is ministered by us? So as to proclaim the word, he means, and to preach the Gospel; or to minister also in respect of the money; yea rather, he seems to me to refer to both of these. Then he adds,
To the glory of the same Lord, and to show your readiness. What he means is this: ‘We thought good,’ he says, ‘that he should be chosen with us and be appointed unto this work, so as to become a dispenser and a minister of the sacred money.’ Nor was this a little matter. For, Look ye out, it says, from among you seven men of good report; and he was chosen by the churches, and there was a vote of the whole people taken. What is, to the glory of the same Lord, and your readiness? ‘That both God may be glorified and you may become the readier, they who are to receive this money being of proved character, and no one able to engender any false suspicion against them. Therefore we sought out such persons, and entrusted not the whole to one person only, that he might escape this suspicion also; but we sent both Titus and another with him. Then to interpret this same expression, to the glory of the Lord and your ready mind: he added,