Charles Spurgeon Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:22-23

"and we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which [he hath] in you. Whether [any inquire] about Titus, [he is] my partner and [my] fellow-worker to you-ward, or our brethren, [they are] the messengers of the churches, [they are] the glory of Christ." — 2 Corinthians 8:22-23 (ASV)

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you:

"If anyone outside wants to know who Titus is, say that I have sent him to be the leader in this particular work. If you want to know who he is, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you." Well said, Paul.

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messenger of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

How beautiful to see Paul so praising his brothers – very humble, commonplace persons as compared with himself, but he admires the grace of God in them. How very different from the general spirit of depreciation that you find even among Christian men – afraid to praise anybody, lest they should be exalted above measure. You might leave that to the devil. He will take care that they are not exalted above measure, but you need not be as particular about that.

Often the best thing that can be done for God's servant is to encourage him, for, though you may not know it, he may have a multitude of depressions, heavy toil and earnest care, and much watching, which may bring him down. Paul speaks well of the brotherhood: let us try to do the same. But how does he call these simple-minded men, who are going with him to distribute this money? Does he call them the glory of Christ? Yes; Christ is the glory of God, and his people are the glory of Christ. He glories whenever he is glorified by them. They are the result of the travail of his soul, and in that sense they are his glory.