Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 12:18
I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church to address accusations that his apostolic team financially exploited them. He clarifies that he sent Titus and another brother to collect a promised contribution, not to profit from the congregation.
The words — The Greek verb ἐπλεονέκτησεν (epleonektēsen) literally means to gain an advantage over or exploit, while παρεκάλεσα (parekalesa) means to urge or earnestly request. Paul uses these terms to contrast his pastoral urgency with the Corinthians' suspicion of financial gain.
The thread — The theme of financial integrity appears when Paul earlier urged Titus to complete the Corinthians' act of grace (2 Corinthians 8:6) and echoes Moses' denial of taking even a donkey from the rebels (Numbers 16:15). The language of walking in the same footsteps also recalls the pattern of faith demonstrated by Abraham (Romans 4:12).
Why it lands — The text demands that readers verify the consistency between a leader's words and actions, rejecting suspicion when conduct aligns with shared spiritual principles. It requires the audience to evaluate claims of exploitation against the actual purpose of apostolic ministry, which is edification rather than gain.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 8:6 So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.
- Romans 4:12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
- Numbers 16:15 Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
- 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
- Nehemiah 5:14 Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from his twentieth year until his thirty-second year (twelve years total), neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.
- Acts 20:33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
- 2 Corinthians 2:12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,
- 2 Corinthians 7:2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
- 2 Corinthians 7:6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
- 2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.