2CO 8

2 Corinthians 8:24

WEB

Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.

BSB

In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.

KJV

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Matthew Henry

Verses 16–24

2 Corinthians 8:16–24

In these verses the apostle commends the brethren who were sent to them to collect their charity; and as it were, gives them letters credential, that, if they were enquired after (Co2 8:23), if any should be inquisitive or suspicious concerning them, it might be known who they were and how safely they might be trusted.

I. He commends Titus, 1. 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 (Co2 8:16), and it is cause of thankfulness if God hath put it into the hearts of any to do us or others any good. 2. For his readiness to this present service. He accepted the office, and was forward to go upon this good errand, Co2 8:17. Asking charity for the relief of others is by many looked upon as a thankless office; yet it is a good office, and what we should not be shy of when we are called to it.

II. He commends another brother, who was sent with Titus. It is generally thought that this was Luke. He is commended, 1. As a man whose praise was in the gospel through all the churches, Co2 8:18. His ministerial services of several kinds were well known, and he had approved himself praiseworthy in what he had done. 2. As one chosen of the churches (Co2 8:19) and joined with the apostle in his ministration. This was done, it is most likely, at the motion and request of Paul himself; for this reason, that no man might blame him in that abundance which was administered by him (Co2 8:20), so cautious was the apostle to avoid all occasions that evil-minded men might lay hold on to blacken him. He would not give occasion to any to accuse him of injustice or partiality in this affair, and thought it to be his duty, as it is the duty of all Christians, to provide for things honest, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men; that is, to act so prudently as to prevent, as far as we can, all unjust suspicions concerning us, and all occasions of scandalous imputations. Note, We live in a censorious world, and should cut off occasion from those who seek occasion to speak reproachfully. It is the crime of others if they reproach or censure us without occasion; and it is our imprudence at least if we give them any occasion, when there may not be a just cause for them so to do.

III. He commends also another brother who was joined with the two former in this affair. This brother is thought to be Apollos. Whoever he was, he had approved himself diligent in many things; and therefore was fit to be employed in this affair. Moreover, he had great desire to this work, because of the confidence or good opinion he had of the Corinthians (Co2 8:22), and it is a great comfort to see those employed in good works who have formerly approved themselves diligent.

IV. He concludes this point with a general good character of them all (Co2 8:23), 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. Wherefore, upon the whole, he exhorts them to show their liberality, answerable to the great expectation others had concerning them at this time, that these messengers of the churches, and the churches themselves, might see a full proof of their love to God and to their afflicted brethren, and that it was with good reason the apostle had even boasted on their behalf, Co2 8:24. Note, The good opinion others entertain of us should be an argument with us to do well.

Cross-references: 2Cor 8:23 · 2Cor 8:16 · 2Cor 8:17 · 2Cor 8:18 · 2Cor 8:19 · 2Cor 8:20 · 2Cor 8:22 · 2Cor 8:24

Greek interlinear

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G3767

οὖνoûn/oon/

and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore

Derivation: apparently a primary word;

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

KJV: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.

G1732

ἔνδειξιςéndeixis/en'-dike-sis/

declare, evident token, proof

Derivation: from G1731;

indication (abstractly)

KJV: declare, evident token, proof.

See also: G1731.

G26

ἀγάπηagápē/ag-ah'-pay/

(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love

Derivation: from G25;

love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

KJV: (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.

See also: G25.

G4771

σύ/soo/

thou

Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;

thou

KJV: thou.

See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.

See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.

G2532

καίkaí/kahee/

and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet

Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

G1473

ἐγώegṓ/eg-o'/

I, me

Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)

KJV: I, me.

For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.

See also: G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257.

G2746

καύχησιςkaúchēsis/kow'-khay-sis/

boasting, whereof I may glory, glorying, rejoicing

Derivation: from G2744;

boasting (properly, the act; by implication, the object), in a good or a bad sense

KJV: boasting, whereof I may glory, glorying, rejoicing.

See also: G2744.

G5228

ὑπέρhypér/hoop-er'/

(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very

Derivation: a primary preposition;

"over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than

KJV: (+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very.

In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.

G1519

εἰςeis/ice/

(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with

Derivation: a primary preposition;

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

KJV: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with.

Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).

G846

αὐτόςautós/ow-tos'/

her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which

Derivation: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward);

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.

Compare G848.

See also: G109, G1438, G848.

G1731

ἐνδείκνυμιendeíknymi/en-dike'-noo-mee/

do, show (forth)

Derivation: from G1722 and G1166;

to indicate (by word or act)

KJV: do, show (forth).

See also: G1722, G1166.

G4383

πρόσωπονprósōpon/pros'-o-pon/

(outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence

Derivation: from G4314 and ὤψ (the visage, from G3700);

the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person

KJV: (outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.

See also: G4314, G3700.

G1577

ἐκκλησίαekklēsía/ek-klay-see'-ah/

assembly, church

Derivation: from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564;

a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)

KJV: assembly, church.

See also: G1537, G2564.

Bible49 app

Get translation compare, commentary, and interlinear study — offline, on iPhone and Mac.

See Bible49