Homilies on Second Corinthians — Homily 18

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3

But thanks be to God, Which put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

Again he praises Titus. For since he had discoursed of almsgiving, he afterwards discourses also of those who are to receive the money from them and carry it away. For this was of aid towards this collection, and towards increasing the forwardness of the contributors. For he that feels confidence as to him that ministers, and suspects not those who are to be receivers, gives with the fuller bountifulness. And that this might be the case then also, hear how he commends those that had come for this purpose, the first of whom was Titus. Wherefore also he says, But thanks be to God, Which put (literally, 'gave') the same earnest care into the heart of Titus. What is the same? Which he had also in respect to the Thessalonians, or the same with me. And mark here wisdom. Showing this to be the work of God, he also gives thanks to Him that gave, so as to incite by this also. 'For if God stirred him up and sent him to you, He asks through Him. Think not therefore that what has happened is of men.' And whence is it manifest that God incited him?

For indeed he accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went forth of his own accord.

Observe how he also represents him as fulfilling his own part, and needing no prompting from others. And having mentioned the grace of God, he does not leave the whole to be God's; again, that by this also he may win them unto greater love, having said that he was stirred up from himself also. For, being very earnest, he went forth of his own accord, 'he seized at the thing, he rushed upon the treasure, he considered your service to be his own advantage; and because he loved you exceedingly, he needed not the exhortation I gave; but though he was exhorted by me also, yet it was not by that he was stirred up; but from himself and by the grace of God.'

And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Gospel is spread through all the Churches.

And who is this brother? Some indeed say, Luke, because of the history which he wrote, but some, Barnabas; for he calls the unwritten preaching also Gospel. And for what cause does he not mention their names; while he both makes Titus known see also [[2 Corinthians 8.23]] by name, and praises him for his cooperation in the Gospel, (seeing that he was so useful that by reason of his absence even Paul could do nothing great and noble; for, because I found not Titus my brother, I had no relief for my spirit, [[2 Corinthians 2.13]] ) and for his love towards them, (for, says he, his inward affection is more abundant towards you; [[2 Corinthians 7.15]] ) and for his zeal in this matter ( for, he says, of his own accord he went )? But these he neither equally commends, nor mentions by name? What then is one to say? Perhaps they did not know them; wherefore he does not dwell upon their praises because as yet they had had no experience of them, but only says so much as was su