2 Corinthians 8:6

8:6 Thus¹ we urged² Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work,³ so also he should complete this act of kindness⁴ for you.

2 Corinthians 8:17-24

8:17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager,⁵ he is coming⁶ to you of his own accord.⁷ 8:18 And we are sending⁸ along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.⁹ 8:19 In addition,¹⁰ this brother¹¹ has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift¹² to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help.¹³ 8:20 We did this¹⁴ 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.¹⁵ 8:22 And we are sending¹⁶ 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 question¹⁷ about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers¹⁸ of the churches, a glory to Christ. 8:24 Therefore show¹⁹ them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.²⁰

¹tn 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.

²tn Or “we exhorted.”

³tn 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.

⁴tn Grk “this grace.”

⁵tn The comparative form of this adjective is used here with elative meaning.

⁶tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.

⁷tn Or “of his own free will.”

⁸tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.

⁹tn Grk “the brother of whom the praise in the gospel [is] throughout all the churches.”

¹⁰tn Grk “gospel, and not only this, but.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation.

¹¹tn Grk “he”; the referent (the brother mentioned in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹²tn That is, the offering or collection being taken to assist impoverished Christians.

¹³tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied (see L&N 25.68).

¹⁴tn “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.

¹⁵sn An allusion to Prov 3:4.

¹⁶tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.

¹⁷tn 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.”

¹⁸tn Grk “apostles.”

¹⁹tc The sense of this translation is attested by the fact that most of the later mss, along with several early and important ones (א C D² Ψ 0225 0243 1739 1881 Ï lat), have the imperative verb ἐνδείξασθε (ejndeixasqe) in place of the participle ἐνδεικνύμενοι (endeiknumenoi), which is found in B D* F G 33 pc. Since an imperatival participle is more Hebraic in style, many scribes would not have understood the idiom as easily and would have been likely to change the participle to an imperative (so TCGNT 513-14). But there is no good reason why scribes would change the imperative into a participle. Thus, ἐνδεικνύμενοι is almost surely the wording of the original text.

tn In the Greek text ἐνδεικνύμενοι (endeiknumenoi) is a present participle which is translated as an imperative verb (see BDF §468; ExSyn 650-52).

²⁰tn Or “our boasting about you.”