2 Corinthians 8:19

2Co 8:19. Χειροτονηθεὶς [chosen] appointed) This participle is not construed with, he went unto you, 2Co 8:17: for that construction would interrupt the connection, 2Co 8:18; 2Co 8:20, συνεπέμψαμεν—στελλόμενοι, we sent along with—avoiding. Therefore ὃς, who, is to be supplied, taken from οὗ, of whom, whose, in the preceding verse. The churches had given this companion to Paul, whithersoever he might go. Hence they are called the apostles, or messengers of the churches, 2Co 8:23: and Paul declares, that this office here also has respect to the present business. From this it is evident, that the rights of the churches are mutual [reciprocal].—συνέκδημος, the companion of our travels. Those, who read with Wolfius, συνέκδημος ὑμῶν, refer to it by mistake the various reading of the pronoun at the end of the verse.[49]—ΣῪΝ, with) construed with συνέκδημος, the companion of our travels. They carried along with them the gift of the Macedonians to Jerusalem.—πρὸς, to) construed with χειροτονηθεὶς, chosen, appointed.—αὐτοῦ τοῦ Κυριοῦ, of the [same] Lord Himself) viz. Christ, 2Co 8:21.—καὶ προθυμίαν ἡμῶν, our ready mind) The proofs for reading ἡμῶν are by far the most numerous, and ὙΜῶΝ has crept into a few copies, by an obvious exchange of the Greek pronoun, which was more readily made on account of the alliteration of the Υ in ὙΜῶΝ with ΠΡΟΘΥΜΊΑΝ. The churches had charged the brother of whom he is here speaking, the companion of Paul, with their own gift, not with a view to the readiness of the Corinthians, which had less relation to the churches, but with a view to produce readiness on the part of Paul and of that brother, i.e. lest for fear of that blame, of which he afterwards speaks, their willingness to undertake and finish the business might be lessened.

[49] Therefore both the margin of the 2d, as well as of the larger Ed. and the Germ. Ver., prefer the reading ἡμῶν.—E. B.

At the end of the verse ἡμῶν is the reading of all the best Uncial MSS., BCG, etc., Vulg., etc. Rec. Text has ὑμῶν with but slight authority.—ED.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Co_8:19. As στελλόμενοι in 2Co_8:20 is connected with συνεπέμψαμεν in 2Co_8:18, 2Co_8:19 is a parenthesis (Beza, Lachmann) in which Paul generali testimonio subjungit speciale, quod praesenti negotio congruit, Calvi.

οὐ μόνον δέ] sc. ἐπαινούμενος (or ἐπαινός, praised, or ἔνδοξος, or the like) ἐστι ἐν τῷ εὐαγγ. διὰ πασ. τῶν ἐκκλησ.[280] Comp. Rom_9:10; Rom_5:3; Rom_5:11; Rom_8:23.

ἀλλὰ καὶ χειροτονηθεὶς κ.τ.λ.] but also having been chosen by the (collecting) churches as our travelling companion, etc. The χειροτ. ὑπὸ τ. ἐκκλ. contains a point so important in its bearing that we may not take it parenthetically, thereby breaking up the flow of the discourse. So Hofmann, assigning the incorrect reason, moreover, that the perfect participle must have been used. The perfect might be used; but the aorist expresses the act done, whereby the person concerned became ἀπόστολος of the churches in this case (2Co_8:23), and so Paul has conceived of it here.

The ἐκκλησίαι here meant are, according to 2Co_8:1 ff., the Macedonian.

χειροτον.] suffragiis designates. How this election was conducted, we do not know. Perhaps by the presbyters as representatives of the churches, and on the proposal of the apostle. Comp. on Act_14:23.

ἐν τῇ χάριτι κ.τ.λ.] a more precise definition of the συνέκδ. ἡμῶν. It does not, however, simply mean: in the bringing over (Billroth; this arbitrary limitation was produced by the reading σύν), but in general: in matters of this χάρις, i.e. in the prosecution, in the whole bringing about, of this kindness (this work of love), which is ministered by us, is effected through our ministry (comp. 2Co_3:3).

πρὸς τὴν τοῦ Κυρίου δόξαν κ.τ.λ.] is connected by most (including Theodoret, Beza, Grotius, Estius, Billroth, de Wette, Ewald, Neander) with τῇ διακον. ὑφ. ἡμ. But since in this way πρός (which is not, with Ewald, to be taken as according to, comp. 2Co_1:20) would have to combine two quite different relations: in order to promote Christs honour and to prove our good-will; and since, moreover, the latter element would be self-evident, tame, and superfluous,we ought rather, with Chrysostom (who, however, reads ὑμῶν instead of ἡμῶν), to construe with χειροτονηθεὶς κ.τ.λ.: elected, etc., in order to further Christs honour and our good-will. The election of this brother had as its object, that by his co-operation in this matter Christ should be honoured[281] and our desire and love for the work should not be lessened ob metum reprehensionis illius, de qua mox loquitur (Bengel), but should be maintained and advanced by freedom from such hindering anxiety, and by a fellow-worker thus authorized. The connection with χειροτονηθεὶς κ.τ.λ., which Hofmann, attaching it also to συνεκδ. ἡμῶν, declares to be impossible (why?), places the election, which had primarily a business motive, under the higher ethical point of view.

[280] Buttmann, neut. Gr. p. 252 [E. T. 292], takes it differently: who stands in repute, not only on this account (ἐν τῷ εὐαγγ., i.e. as a preacher of the gospel), but also as one elected by the churches. But from the general ἐν τῷ εὐαγγ. to χειροτονηθ. there is no logical climax, as respects the specifying of a reason for the ἔπαινος; whereas the predication ascends from the universal praise of the man to his being elected by the churchesso as to assign a ground for the συνεπέμψαμεν. Besides, his being elected was not the ground, but a consequence of his general repute, although it was the special ground for Pauls sending him to Corinth.

[281] Rückert, though following likewise our mode of connection, holds that to the δίξα κυρίου this companionship could only have contributed negatively, in so far as it was a precaution against any suspicion falling on the apostle, which suspicionaccording to a mode of view also Paulinewould have been transferred to Christ. Why, then, not positively also? The brother had in fact been chosen as a travelling associate co-operating in the work of collection, so that by his election the work might be prosecuted more extensively and more successfully. And thus the choice of this brother served positively to glorify Christ; hence also πρὸς … δόξαν is not to be held, with de Wette, as rather unsuitable.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Co 8:19 . οὐ μόνον δὲ ἀλλὰ κ . τ . λ .: and not only so, but who was also appointed ( χειροτονεῖν is, strictly, to vote by a show of hands, and hence it came to mean “to elect”) by the Churches, i.e. , all the local congregations interested, as our fellow traveller in the matter of this grace (reading ἐν ; see crit. note), sc. , this contribution of money (see 2Co 8:6-7 , 1Co 16:3 ), which is being ministered by us to exhibit the glory of the Lord ( cf. 2Co 4:15 ), and our readiness . The MS. evidence requires us to read ἡμῶν , but it must be confessed that ἡμῶν is rather what we should expect, especially as προθυμία in 2Co 8:11 and in 2Co 9:2 is applied to the Corinthians and not to St. Paul; a plausible conjecture would be κατὰ προθυμίαν ἡμῶν for καὶ προθ . ἡμ ., but the words give an intelligible sense as they stand (see Gal 2:10 ).

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

19. ἐν τῇ χάριτι (BCP, f Vulg. Copt. Arm. Aeth.) rather than σὺν τ. χ. (אDFGKL, d Syrr.); and προθ. ἡμῶν (אBCDG &c.) rather than προθ. ὑμῶν (F). Comp. 2Co 7:12.

19. This verse is rather parenthetical, so that in construction 2Co 8:20 fits on to 2Co 8:18; and there should be at most a semicolon at the end of 2Co 8:18 and of 2Co 8:19.

οὐ μόνον δέ. See critical note. And not only so (i.e. his praise was in all the Churches), but who was also appointed by the Churches to travel with us in this work of grace which is being ministered by us, to show the glory of the Lord and our readiness.

χειροτονηθείς. The verb has a long history: (1) ‘to elect by show of hands’; (2) ‘to. elect’ in any way; (3) ‘to appoint,’ whether by election or not: elsewhere in the N.T. Act 14:23 only. See Smith’s D. of Chr. Ant. II. p. 1501.

συνέκδημος. ‘As our fellow-traveller’ (Act 19:29): φίλους τε καὶ συνεκδήμους ἐποιησάμην (Joseph. Vita 14). Comp. ἐκδημεῖν (2 Corinthians 8 :2Co 5:6-8).

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

These alms which are bestowed for the relief of the Church of Jerusalem.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

not that only--not only praised in all the churches.

chosen--by vote: so the Greek.

of the churches--therefore these companions of Paul are called "messengers of the churches" (Co2 8:23).

to travel--to Jerusalem.

with this grace--Greek, "in the case of this grace," or "gift."

to the glory of the same Lord--The oldest manuscripts omit "same."

declaration of your ready mind--The oldest manuscripts read, "our," not your. This and the previous clause, "to the glory of the same Lord," do not follow "administered by us," but "chosen of the churches to travel," &c. The union of the brother with Paul in this affair of the collection was done to guard against suspicions injurious "to the glory" of the Lord. It was also done in order to produce a "readiness" on the part of Paul and the brother to undertake the office which each, by himself, would have been less ready to undertake, for fear of suspicions arising (Co2 8:20) as to their appropriation of any of the money.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 19. Chosen of the Churches to travel with us] χειροτονηθεις. Appointed by a show of hands; from χειρ the hand, and τεινω, to extend. This appointment, by the suffrage of the Churches, seems to refer more to St. Luke than any one else; unless we suppose he refers to the transaction, Ac 15:40; Ac 15:41, and then it would appear that Silas is the person intended.

With this grace] Liberal contribution. See on 2Co 8:1.

Your ready mind.] Your willingness to relieve them. But, instead of υμων, your, ημων, our, is the reading of almost all the best MSS. and all the versions. This is, doubtless, the reading.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

19. Which is administered by us. By commending his ministry, he still farther encourages the Corinthians. He says, that it tends to promote the glory of God, and their kindness of disposition. Hence it comes, that these two things are conjoined — the glory of God and their liberality, and that the latter cannot be given up without the former being proportionally diminished. There is, in addition to this, the labor of those distinguished men, which it were very inconsistent to reject, or allow to pass unimproved.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(19) Who was also chosen of the churches.—The word, as in Act_14:23, implies a definite appointment, in this case, obviously, by popular election—on the part of the Macedonian churches. This falls in, it need hardly be said, with the facts of the case as indicated by the use of the first person plural in Act_20:5, and through the rest of the book.

With this grace.—The word is used, as in 2Co_8:4; 2Co_8:6-7, as we familiarly use the word “charity,” for the liberality which was the result of the grace.

To the glory of the same Lord.—Better, if we keep the Received text, of the Lord Himself; but the better MSS. give, of the Lord, only. There is no need of inserting the word “declaration of”; in relation to the glory of the Lord and to your readiness gives a perfectly intelligible sense.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

19. and not that only] i.e. not only is he praised throughout all the Churches.

but who was also chosen of the churches] i.e. chosen by the Churches. See note on 1Co_14:24, ch. 2Co_1:16, 2Co_2:6; 2Co_2:12 of this Epistle, and Heb_12:5, &c. The word here used signifies chosen by show of hands. So also in Act_14:23. Voting by show of hands was the custom among the Greeks as among ourselves. See Xenophon, Anabasis, Book III. ii. 33. For the choosing by the Churches see 1Co_16:3-4 and note.

to the glory of the same Lord] The word ‘same’ is omitted by many MSS. and editors.

and declaration of your ready mind] Nearly all the MSS. and versions read ‘our.’ (To the glorie of the Lord and to our ordeyned wil. Wiclif.) The words ‘and declaration of’ are not in the Greek.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us,.... There is an allusion in these words to mariners, who, when sensible of danger, steer their course another way, in order to shun a rock and secure themselves. So the apostles being aware of the censorious spirits of some persons, and to prevent all suspicion of their converting any part of what they had collected to their own private use, sent Titus with it, a man of known probity and integrity; and he not by himself only, but another brother with him, one who had obtained a good report as a minister of the Gospel in all the churches: and, besides, was appointed not by the apostles, but by the churches themselves, to this service. This shows the good conduct, and great prudence of the apostle, and his care and solicitude that the ministry be not blamed; he knew he had many enemies, and how subject such are to suspicion and jealousy, when persons are intrusted with much, which was the case here; for it is added,

in this abundance which is administered by us: which designs the very large contributions which were made by the churches, through the means of the apostle's moving, exciting, and encouraging them thereunto; and which were committed to their care and trust, and at their entreaty they had accepted of.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

Ver. 19. Chosen of the Churches] This compared with Act 13:1-2, it may seem the apostle meaneth not Luke, but Barnabas; though others think Timothy. (Danae in 1Ti 6:12)

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And not that only - Not only is he esteemed on account of other services which he has rendered by his preaching and writings; but he has had a new mark of the confidence of the churches in being appointed to convey the collection to Jerusalem.

Chosen of the churches - Chosen by the churches. Many concurred in the choice, showing that they had entire confidence in him. Paul had been unwilling to have charge of this contribution alone (1Co 16:3-4; compare 2Co 8:20), and he had procured the appointment of some one to undertake it. Probably he expected that the church at Corinth would concur in this appointment.

With this grace - Margin, “Gift;” see 2Co 8:1. The word here refers to the alms, or the collection which had been made.

Which is administered by us - That is, which is undertaken by us. Paul had been the instrument of procuring it.

To the glory of the same Lord - The Lord of us all. The design was to promote the glory of the Lord by showing the influence of religion in producing true benevolence.

And declaration of your ready mind - That is, to afford you an opportunity of evincing your readiness to do good to others, and to promote their welfare.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

And that he was chosen by the churches to go along with Paul and Titus, to carry the charity of other churches to the distressed Christians in Judea; which charity is here again called grace, for the reason before mentioned, 2Co 8:1. He declares that their end in this administration, was the glory of God, and the proof and

declaration of these Corinthians’ sincerity of brotherly love, and

ready mind to yield obedience to the will of God declared to them.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

19. Chosen of the Churches—The brother is not now merely nominated by St. Paul and sent by his authority. Were that the case, cavillers might insinuate a plot. But he is named by Paul as by the Macedonian Churches elected. Luke’s position with those Churches we have indicated in our note on Act_16:10.

To travel with us—To carry the benefactions from Corinth to Jerusalem.

With this grace—The charitable contribution.

To the glory—Depends not upon administered but upon chosen. The brother was for this mission chosen, literally, to subserve the glory of the same Lord, and… your ready mind.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Chosen. The word (literally, chosen by show of hands) implies a popular vote. (comp. 1Co_16:3, 1Co_16:4) This brother Was not only widely known and valued, but also specially selected for this task. To travel with us. "As our fellow traveller." The word occurs in Act_19:29. With this grace. The better reading is "in:" "in this matter of kindness." To the glory of the same Lord. The word "same" should be omitted. And declaration of your ready mind. The best reading is "our," and the clause should be rendered, to further the glory of the Lord and our readiness.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He was appointed by the churches - Of Macedonia. With this gift - Which they were carrying from Macedonia to Jerusalem. For the declaration of our ready mind - That of Paul and his fellow-traveler, ready to be the servants of all.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness [Paul is commending those whom he sent to gather the collections. Luke's primary commendation is his general character revealed in his love for the gospel facts; his further qualification is his appointment by the churches in Macedonia to assist in this very work. He had resided in Macedonia for some six years, or since Paul had first come to Philippi, and so was well known and fully trusted by the Macedonians. He was appointed that the glory of Christ might not be tarnished by any suspicion that the money was raised for selfish purposes, and that Paul's zeal to raise the money might not be regarded with evil surmises]:

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

19. Chosen of the churches. Paul desired, for the reasons given in verses 20 and 21, that the churches should send along messengers in charge of their gifts.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

19.] parenthetical (see on ver. 20) adding to his general commendation a particular qualification for this office.

οὐ μόν. δέ,—and not only so (i.e. praised in all the churches), but who was also appointed (‘suffragiis designatus,’ see ref. and note; and Stanley here) by the churches (of Macedonia? see ver. 1) as our fellow-traveller (to Jerusalem, from what follows) in (the matter of) this charity which is being ministered by us,—in order to subserve the glory of the Lord and our readiness (this clause refers not to διακον. ὑφʼ ἡμ. as usually interpreted, but to the fact related, the union of this brother with Paul in the matter of the alms, which was done to avoid suspicions detrimental to Christ’s glory, and to the zeal of the Apostle):

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

19. οὐ μόνον δὲ ἀλλὰ κ.τ.λ. ‘And not only [is he praised through all the Churches], but he was also appointed by the Churches to be our fellow-traveller in this work of grace which is being administered by us to promote the glory of the Lord Himself and our readiness.’ There are some doubtful points here. (1) To which word does πρὸς τὴν κ.τ.λ. belong? To χειροτονηθείς or to διακονουμένῃ? Was this brother appointed to promote the glory, etc.? Or is the fund being administered for this purpose? The latter seems more suitable, and is adopted in Vulg. (2) Has πρός the same sense in reference to προθυμἱαν ἡμῶν as to τήν … δόξαν? Both AV and RV make a change of meaning, which is somewhat violent, but not impossible in a dictated letter. Yet no change is necessary. We may render πρός either ‘to show’ or ‘to promote’ in both cases. ‘To show the glory and our readiness’ is simple enough; but ‘to promote the glory and our readiness’ makes good sense and may be right, if the clause be taken with χειρονηθείς. The appointment of this efficient colleague tended to increase the glory of God and the Apostle’s readiness. His enthusiasm was made still greater when the prospects of success were increased by giving Titus such a helper. The constr. of χειροτονηθείς. is irregular; we want ἐχειροτονήθη. Cf. θλιβόμενοι (7:5), and στελλόμενοι (v. 20). Blass, § 79. 10. Χειροτονέω is an interesting verb exhibiting three marked stages in its history; (1) ‘elect by show of hands’; (2) ‘elect’ in any way; (3) ‘appoint,’ whether by election or not. Elsewhere in N.T. Act 14:23 only. It is certain that the verb is used by contemporary writers for appointment without election; and the substantive also. Josephus has the verb of God’s appointing David to be king (Ant. vi. xiii.9) and of Jonathan being appointed high priest by Alexander (Ant. xiii. ii. 2). Philo uses χειροτονία of Pharaoh’s appointment of Joseph to be governor of Egypt. (De Josepho, § 21, Mang. p. 58). Similar usage is found in inscriptions. Neither here nor in Acts does it mean the imposition of hands in ordination, ἐπἰθεσις τῶν χειρῶν, or the stretching out of the hands previous to imposition, which is a much later use. In Act 14:23 the ordination of the presbyters is implied in προσευξάμενοι, not in χειστονή σαντες. In Acts Vulg. has constituo, here ordino; AV has ‘ordain’ in Acts and ‘choose’ here; RV has ‘appoint’ in both.

συνέκδημος. ‘To go abroad with us,’ ‘to be our companion in travel,’ a subordinate, not a colleague, like Barnabas. Here and Act 19:20 only. Vulg. has comes perigrinationis here and comites without perigrinationis in Acts, where συνεκδήμους is used of Aristarchus and Gaius. Hence some think that it refers to Aristarchus here (Redlich, S. Paul and his Companions, p. 217).

ἐν τῇ χάριτι (B C P, f Vulg. Copt. Arm. Aeth.) rather than σὺν τῇ κ. (א D F G K L, d e g, Syrr.). B C D * G L, Latt. Copt. omit αὐτοῦ before τοῦ κυρὶαν. F and a few cursives, followed by T. R., have ὑμῶν after προθυμίαν, an obvious correction, to agree with v. 11 and 9:2, where the προθυμία is in the Corinthians. Baljon conjectures κατὰ προθ. ἡμῶν.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

With this grace [εν τη χαριτι ταυτη] . An obscure rendering, not much bettered by Rev. Grace is ambiguous. The reference is, of course, to the contribution as a work of love; cariv being used in the sense of benefaction or bounty. Paul says that the brother was appointed as his fellow - traveller in the matter of this bounty; in the prosecution of this kindly act. For appointed, see on Act 14:23; Act 10:41.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.