“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:”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 8:19 Mean?
"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." The brother who accompanies the collection isn't Paul's personal selection — he was CHOSEN BY THE CHURCHES. The church-selection of the financial companion serves TWO purposes: the GLORY OF THE LORD and the DECLARATION of the Corinthians' willing generosity. The financial administration is both God-glorifying and community-validating. The transparency serves worship AND witness.
The phrase "chosen of the churches" (cheirotonētheis hypo tōn ekklēsiōn — having been elected/appointed by the churches) means the financial escort was CHURCH-ELECTED: cheirotonētheis literally means 'hand-stretched' — voted on by the raised hands of the congregations. The financial accountability isn't Paul's personal arrangement. It's INSTITUTIONAL — the churches collectively chose the person who would accompany the money. The selection process is democratic and transparent.
The dual purpose — "to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind" — makes the financial administration serve BOTH directions: UPWARD (to God's glory — the handling of money glorifies God when done transparently) and OUTWARD (to demonstrate the Corinthians' readiness — the transparent collection proves the givers' genuine willingness). The accountability glorifies God AND validates the community.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What financial transparency would serve both God's glory and your community's credibility?
- 2.What does church-ELECTED financial accountability teach about communal oversight of money?
- 3.How does transparent money-handling being a WORSHIP issue change your view of financial administration?
- 4.What process proves your giving is genuine — and is the process visible enough?
Devotional
The churches CHOSE this financial companion. He wasn't Paul's personal pick. He was ELECTED — hands raised, congregations voting, community-selected accountability. The money travels with someone the CHURCHES trust, not just someone Paul trusts. The transparency is institutional, not personal.
The 'chosen of the churches' is DEMOCRATIC financial accountability: the brother traveling with the collection was selected BY the churches — not appointed by Paul, not assigned by a single leader, but ELECTED by the congregations. The financial oversight is COMMUNAL. The trust is DISTRIBUTED. The accountability doesn't depend on one person's integrity. It depends on the community's choice.
The 'to the glory of the same Lord' makes financial transparency a WORSHIP issue: the handling of money either glorifies God or dishonors God. The transparent administration — elected escort, accountable process, visible handling — GLORIFIES the Lord. The opposite (opaque handling, unaccountable management, hidden processes) dishonors. The financial administration IS worship. The transparency IS glory.
The 'declaration of your ready mind' makes the transparency EVIDENTIAL: the Corinthians' willingness to give is PROVEN by the transparent collection. The process demonstrates the heart. The accountable handling validates the generous intention. The declaration (their readiness) is served by the administration (the transparent process). The giving is genuine because the process is visible.
What financial transparency in your context would serve both God's glory AND the community's credibility?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us,.... There is an allusion in these words to mariners, who, when sensible of…
And not that only - Not only is he esteemed on account of other services which he has rendered by his preaching and…
Chosen of the Churches to travel with us - Χειροτονηθεις· Appointed by a show of hands; from χειρ the hand, and τεινω,…
In these verses the apostle commends the brethren who were sent to them to collect their charity; and as it were, gives…
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.…
Cross References
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