2 Corinthians 8:16-24 (HCSB)
Thanks be to God who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus. For he accepted our urging and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice. We have sent with him the brother who is praised throughout the churches for his gospel ministry. And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gift that is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. We are taking this precaution so no one can criticize us about this large sum administered by us. For we are making provision for what is right, not only before the Lord but also before men. We have also sent with them our brother. We have often tested him in many circumstances and found him to be diligent—and now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker serving you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you.
Paul is sending Titus back to Corinth in advance of Paul’s arrival to get everything ready for the collection to be received. The collection is foremost in Paul’s mind now that the personal conflict between himself and the Corinthian Christians seems to be resolved.
Paul is also sending with Titus two other brothers of good character who can be trusted with managing the large sum of money that Paul is expecting to be raised in Corinth. Paul wants everything to be done openly and honestly so that there is no suspicion that he and his brothers are lining their own pockets with this offering. If he does anything that opens his own character to be being questioned, he realizes that it will reflect poorly on the whole gospel.
Notice also that Paul is not a Lone Ranger in what he does, in all the work of the gospel. He has continually surrounded himself with other men of strong faith and excellent character to help in the work. It’s not that the work is so difficult, although it is challenging and often stressful. But the accountability and mutual support is vital to what Paul is doing. He is stronger, surer, and more productive working in the context of this team he has assembled.
Father, it is easy for us to think of Paul as this lone figure pushing back the gates of hell and cutting a wide swath for the gospel all across Europe and Asia. But from his earliest partnership with Barnabas, he never went alone. I absolutely agree that partnership is stronger than solo work, and that mutual accountability makes everything work better. Help me, Lord, to not try to do this Christian life on my own, but to always work in the context of your body and the people you can call alongside me in the work, so that I can be stronger, and so that I can be more productive for you. Amen.