THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
“And with him we have sent the brother whose praise in the Gospel is throughout all the churches” (2 Cor 8:18). Who is this brother? Some understand Luke, because of the Gospel history written by him. Others understand Barnabas, since the Apostle also called oral preaching the Gospel.
Why does he not name them, while he names Titus and mentions his cooperation in preaching the Gospel? Titus was so useful that in his absence Paul could accomplish nothing great and important.
“I had no rest in my spirit,” he says, “because I did not find Titus my brother there” (2 Cor 2:13). He speaks also of his love for them: “his heart is very much disposed toward you” (2 Cor 7:15).
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He speaks of his zeal in collecting alms: “he went to you of his own accord.” But these others, by contrast, he does not praise in the same way and does not even mention their names.
What shall we say to this? Perhaps they were unknown to the Corinthians. Therefore he does not enlarge upon their praises, since the Corinthians had not yet tested their virtues.
He says about them only what was needed to inspire a good opinion of them and remove suspicion. Yet let us see for what he praises this brother himself.
For what, then, does he praise him? First, for preaching, and because he not only preached, but preached as he ought and with proper diligence. He did not say that he preached and proclaimed the Gospel, but that he was “praised in the Gospel.”
So that they might not think he was flattering him, he brings as witnesses not one, two, or three persons, but all the churches. He says, “throughout all the churches.”
Then he counts to his honor the judgment of those who ordained him, which also is no small matter. Therefore, after the words, “praised throughout all the churches in the Gospel,” he added, “and not only that” (2 Cor 8:19).
What does “and not only that” mean? He is worthy of respect not only because everyone approves and praises him for preaching, but also because he “was chosen by the churches to travel with us.”
From this I surmise that the Apostle means Barnabas. Next he indicates his great dignity by showing for what purpose he was ordained: “to travel with us in this grace which is ministered by us.”
Do you see how many praises he ascribes to him? He became renowned through the preaching of the Gospel, and he had testimony to this from all the churches.
“He was consecrated with us,” that is, to the same ministry as Paul. Everywhere he was his companion, both in temptations and in afflictions, as the word “travel with us” shows.
But what do the words mean, “in this grace which is ministered by us”? It means that he was chosen to announce the word and preach the Gospel, or to serve in the collecting of alms.
More likely, as it seems to me, the Apostle points to both together. Then he adds, “to the glory of the Lord Himself and to your eager readiness.”
The meaning of these words is this: “We entreated,” he says, “that he be chosen with us. We entrusted to him the office of steward of sacred goods and deacon.” This office was not unimportant.
It is written, “Choose from among yourselves seven men of good reputation” (Acts 6:3). He was chosen by the churches with the consent of the whole people.
What do the words mean, “to the glory of the Lord Himself and to your eagerness”? They mean this: “that God may be glorified, and that you may become more eager in giving.
“For those who receive these gifts will be tested men, so that no one can have any suspicion of them, not even a false one.”