THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Then, having shown their virtues, he disposes the Corinthians in their favor, saying, “As for Titus, he is my companion and fellow worker among you” (v. 23).
What does “as for Titus” mean? “If,” he says, “it is necessary to say anything about Titus, I will say that he is my companion and fellow worker among you.”
Either Paul means this, or else: “If you do anything for Titus, you will not do it for an ordinary man, because he is my companion.” By seemingly praising him in this way, he also praises them. He shows that they have such affection for him that they consider it sufficient grounds to honor a man once it is known that he is Paul’s partner.
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Not satisfied with this, the Apostle adds, “and fellow worker among you.” He is not simply a fellow helper, but one in matters concerning you: in your progress, perfection, love, and care for you. This, more than anything, could draw them to him.
“As for our brothers.” “If,” he says, “you wish to know anything about the others also, they too have the greatest claims upon your goodwill, because they are our brothers and messengers of the Churches, that is, sent by the Churches.”
Then comes what is most important: they are “the glory of Christ,” because everything done with them is referred to Him. “Therefore, whether you wish to receive them as brothers, or as messengers of the Churches, or as men doing everything for the glory of Christ, in every case you have many motives to show them goodwill. If I can say of Titus that he is my partner and loves you, then of these also I will say that they are brothers, messengers of the Churches, the glory of Christ.”
Do you see how it is clear from this too that these latter men were not known to the Corinthians? Otherwise he would have praised them for the same thing for which he praised Titus, that is, for love toward them. But since they were still unknown to them, he says: receive them as brothers, as messengers of the Churches, as men doing everything for the glory of Christ.
Therefore he adds, “Before the face of the Churches, show them the proof of your love and of our boasting about you” (v. 24). “Now show,” he says, “how you love us, and that we do not boast of you idly or in vain. You will prove this if you show them your love.”
Then he gives special force to his word by saying, “before the face of the Churches,” that is, for the glory and honor of the Churches. “If,” he says, “you honor them, you honor the Churches that sent them. Your honor extends not only to them, but also to those who sent them and chose them, and even before that to the glory of God. For when we give honor to the ministers of God, through them praise is given to God Himself.”
To all the Churches: this too is no small matter, because the power of the assembly, or of the Churches, is great. See what great power the assembly had. The prayer of the Church freed Peter from chains and opened Paul’s mouth. Their judgment is weighty. It raises to spiritual ranks those who approach them.
For this reason the one preparing to ordain asks for their prayers as well. They give their voice and proclaim what is known to the consecrated, while not everything may be revealed to the unconsecrated.