8:16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion 1 I have for you, 8:17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, 2 he is coming 3 to you of his own accord. 4 8:18 And we are sending 5 along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel. 6 8:19 In addition, 7 this brother 8 has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift 9 to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help. 10 8:20 We did this 11 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. 12 8:22 And we are sending 13 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.
1 tn Or “eagerness.”
2 tn The comparative form of this adjective is used here with elative meaning.
3 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
4 tn Or “of his own free will.”
5 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
6 tn Grk “the brother of whom the praise in the gospel [is] throughout all the churches.”
7 tn Grk “gospel, and not only this, but.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation.
8 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the brother mentioned in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
9 tn That is, the offering or collection being taken to assist impoverished Christians.
10 tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied (see L&N 25.68).
11 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.
12 sn An allusion to Prov 3:4.
13 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.