2 Corinthians 8:18 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

The brother, whose praise is in the Gospel - whose praise is known in connection with the Gospel: Luke may be meant; not that "the Gospel" refers to his written gospel; but the language implies some one well known throughout the churches, and at that time with Paul, as Luke then was (Acts 20:6). Not a Macedonian, as appears from 2 Corinthians 9:4. Of all Paul's "companions in travel" (2 Corinthians 8:19; Acts 19:29), Luke was the most prominent, having been his companion in preaching at his first entrance into Europe (Acts 16:10). The fact that the person referred to was "chosen of the churches" as their trustee to convey, with Paul, the contribution to Jerusalem, implies that he had resided among them some time before: this is true of Luke, who, after parting from Paul at Philippi (as he marks by the change from "we" to "they," Acts 16:1-40) six years before, is now again found in his company in Macedonia. In the interim he probably had become so well known that 'his praise was throughout all the churches.' Compare 2 Corinthians 12:18; Philemon 1:24. He who is faithful in the Gospel will be faithful also in earthly matters.

2 Corinthians 8:18

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;