The tension has been there. Paul had written a tough letter calling for their repentance, and they did so. In the process while there was obedience, they shut their hearts to him.
The relationship continued. Except now it was just mind to mind, and not heart to heart. The flow wasn’t there anymore.
If you’ve had this happen before, you know how unpleasant it is. And how possible it is for the frostiness to turn into a freeze and the freeze to kill the life of the relationship.
Even in the midst of this, ministry still needed done. The believers in Jerusalem were suffering and a collection was being taken. Paul had appealed to the Corinthians to set aside money regularly in order to care for their fellow believers, not out of duty or obligation but out of love. Now he was sending his brothers to pick up the funds.
He encouraged them to be faithful in their giving, because he had boasted about them to many people. Would they come through? He hoped so. He was sending people to him. He was sending
– Titus – He is going to the with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative (v. 17). He is Paul’s partner in ministry and fellow worker among them (v. 23).
– The brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel (v. 18). “He has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace” (v. 19). He was so added so there was the highest of integrity among them.
– “And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you” (v. 22)
Paul sent these brothers with the financial gift so that there would be the highest of integrity.
“We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man” (v. 20-21).
The relationship was challenging as there was tension among them. Yet the struggles in Jerusalem needed. Paul went to great pains to continue to raise support for them, and also to make sure that the money was dealt with honorably.
It’s an example for us all.
– Don’t stop being generous to those in need, especially to the household of Christ
– Don’t stop the work of ministry even as you are working out your problems
– Walk in integrity