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2 Corinthians 8:23

in 2 Corinthians 8

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, to the glory of Christ.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ.

KJV

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.

This verse in 2 Corinthians 8

Commentary

13 notes on this verse
Whether any do inquire of Titus - It is to be observed that the words “any do inquire” are not in the original; nor is it clear that these are the most proper words to be introduced here.

This site's exposition

whose earnestness has been proven many times

on 2 Corinthians 8:22-24

A third courier joins Titus and the praised brother, three men where one might have served, the safeguard of verse 20 at work. Verse 23 calls the brothers messengers of the churches, apostoloi ekklesion, to the glory of Christ.

This site's exposition

messengers of the churches

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown note the word for messengers is apostles, in a looser sense as at Acts 14:14, since churches sent these men. John Wesley reads the glory of Christ as instruments that advance His glory. Titus alone is named.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

Theodore of Mopsuestia

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH · Written before 428.

proposed

The two "as for" phrases do not denote a contrast between them but rather emphasize the similarity.

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily 18 on 2 Corinthians · Written before 407.

proposed

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? […]

The Medieval Church2 voices

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 2 Corinthians · Written before 1107.

proposed

That is, if one must say something about Titus, I will say that he is "my partner" – he helps me in teaching you and bringing you benefit. Or: if you do something for Titus, you will do it not for an ordinary man, but …

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on 2 Corinthians · Written before 1274.

proposed

Secondly, he discloses the cause of the diligence he assumed, because Apollos is confident of you from the things Titus has said about you, commending you. Hence, he says, "because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner," and because …

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

My partner - In my cares and labours. The glory of Christ - Signal instruments of advancing his glory.
5 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

), if any should be inquisitive or suspicious concerning them, it might be known who they were and how safely they might be trusted. 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 (

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

), 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.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens

Whether any do inquire of Titus,....

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

fellow helper concerning you--Greek, "fellow worker towards you." our brethren--the two mentioned in 2Co 8:18, 22. messengers--rather, as the Greek, "apostles": in the less strict sense (Ac 14:14). of the churches--sent by the churches, as we are by the Lord (Php 2:25).

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

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; 2Co 2:13; 2Co 7:6, 2Co 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.

The words behind it

16 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Philippians 2:25

    But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.

    it leads to

    • Philippians 4:18

      I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

    • Philippians 4:3

      Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have labored with me for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in…

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

    • Philemon 1:1–2

      Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker,

  • Through

    1 Thessalonians 2:2

    As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of…

    it leads to

    • Acts 16:22–24

      The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods.

    • Acts 4:13

      When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

  • Through

    2 Corinthians 8:6

    So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.

    it leads to

    • 2 Corinthians 12:18

      I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?

    • 2 Corinthians 8:19

      More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering—the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.

  • Through

    Philemon 1:17

    So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

    it leads to

    • Matthew 10:40

      He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.

Where this verse is studied

About 2 Corinthians

This page draws on 12 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homilies on Second Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily 18 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theodore of Mopsuestia, PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.