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.
This second brother (Birks) was Trophimus; for a Macedonian is not meant (2 Corinthians 9:4): probably the same as was sent before with Titus (2 Corinthians 12:18); and therefore sent from Ephesus-probably an Ephesian: all this is true of Trophimus (Acts 20:4).
Oftentimes proved diligent in many things - Greek, 'many times in many things.'
Upon the great confidence which I have in you - `now more diligent through the great confidence WHICH HE HAS toward you, owing to what he heard from Titus concerning you' (Alford). The English version is better, 'We have sent, etc., through the confidence WHICH WE FEEL in regard to your liberality.'