Read & explore together
Titus Commended
In these verses, the letter commends Titus and two other brothers to the Corinthians. It explains why they are being sent and shows careful concern for faithful service, willing hearts, and honourable conduct before both God and people.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of 2 Corinthians is written as letter and teaching. In these verses, the writer thanks God for Titus’s earnest care, describes two other brothers travelling with him, and explains how this ministry is handled openly so that it serves the Lord’s glory and avoids blame.
2 Corinthians 8:16–24Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Christian service should be eager, shared with others, and handled honourably before the Lord and before people.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Titus’s earnest and willing careThe passage begins with thanks to God, because God put earnest care for the Corinthians into Titus’s heart.
Explanation
The passage begins with thanks to God, because God put earnest care for the Corinthians into Titus’s heart. Titus did accept “our exhortation”, yet he was not acting reluctantly. The letter says he was himself very earnest and went to them of his own accord. His care is shown as God-given and genuinely willing.
02Another brother joins this ministryA second brother is sent with Titus. His praise in the Good News is known throughout the assemblies.
Explanation
A second brother is sent with Titus. His praise in the Good News is known throughout the assemblies. He was also appointed by the assemblies to travel “with us” in “this grace”, meaning the ministry being carried out in these verses. That service aims at the Lord’s glory and shows readiness to act well.
03Open and honourable handlingThe writer explains why these arrangements matter. They are avoiding any blame about the abundance being administered.
Explanation
The writer explains why these arrangements matter. They are avoiding any blame about the abundance being administered. So they pay attention to what is honourable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. The passage values integrity that is true and also plainly seen.
04Proved workers and a loving responseA third brother is also sent, described as proved earnest many times and now even more earnest because of his great confidence in the Corinthians.
Explanation
A third brother is also sent, described as proved earnest many times and now even more earnest because of his great confidence in the Corinthians. Titus is called “my partner and fellow worker for you”. The other brothers are “the apostles of the assemblies” and “the glory of Christ”, so love should be shown to them openly.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the passage say about where Titus’s earnest care came from?
Look at the thanks to God in 2 Corinthians 8:16, then notice Titus’s willing response in 2 Corinthians 8:17.
02Why does the letter describe the travelling arrangements so carefully?
Read 2 Corinthians 8:19-21 and notice the links between the Lord’s glory, readiness, avoiding blame, and what is honourable before people.
03How are Titus and the other brothers described, and what response is asked for?
Compare the descriptions in 2 Corinthians 8:22-23 with the instruction in 2 Corinthians 8:24.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Corinthians 8:16–24
16But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.
18We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies.
19Not only so, but he was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.
20We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.
21Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22We 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.
23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.
24Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.