2 COR 8:23 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory of Christ.

UST I recommend these men. Titus joins me in what I do and works with me to help you. The groups of believers send the other two fellow believers, and they honor the Messiah.

BLB Whether as regards Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you; or our brothers, they are apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.

AICNT Whether for Titus, my partner and fellow worker for you; or for our brothers, apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.

OEB If I must say anything about Titus, he is my intimate companion, and he shares my work for you; if it is our friends, they are delegates of the churches, an honour to Christ.

WEBBE As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.

WMBB As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the emissaries of the assemblies, the glory of Messiah.

NET If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.

LSV whether—about Titus—my partner and fellow-worker toward you, whether—our brothers, apostles of assemblies—glory of Christ;

FBV If anyone asks about Titus, he is my companion. He works with me on your behalf. The other brothers are representatives from the churches and an honor to Christ.

TCNT If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service. If there is any question about our brothers, they are delegates of the churches, the glory of Christ.

T4T As for Titus, I have chosen him because he is my partner, and he has worked faithfully with me to help you. As for the other two men, the congregations in this area are sending them as their messengers. These two men honor Christ by everything they do.

LEB If there is a question concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. If there is a question concerning our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

BBE If any question comes up about Titus, he is my brother-worker, working with me for you; or about the others, they are the representatives of the churches to the glory of Christ.

Moff Titus is my colleague, he shares my work for you, and these brothers of mine are apostles of the church, a credit to Christ.

Wymth As for Titus, remember that he is a partner with me, and is my comrade in my labours for you. And as for our brethren, remember that they are delegates from the Churches, and are men in whom Christ is glorified.

ASV Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ.

DRA Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow labourer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.

YLT whether — about Titus — my partner and towards you fellow-worker, whether — our brethren, apostles of assemblies — glory of Christ;

Drby Whether as regards Titus, [he is] my companion and fellow-labourer in your behalf; or our brethren, [they are] deputed messengers of assemblies, Christ's glory.

RV Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ.
(Whether any enquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren/brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ. )

SLT Whether for Titus, my companion and co-worker to you: or our brethren, the sent of the churches, the glory of Christ.

Wbstr If any inquire concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of , they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

KJB-1769 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
(Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren/brothers be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. )

KJB-1611 Whether any doe enquire of Titus; he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren bee enquired of, they are the messengers of the Churches, and the glorie of Christ.
(Whether any do enquire of Titus; he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren/brothers be enquired of, they are the messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ.)

Bshps Partly for Titus sake, which is my felowe & helper concernyng you: partly because of other which are our brethren and the messengers of the Churches, and the glorie of Christe.
(Partly for Titus sake, which is my fellow and helper concerning you: partly because of other which are our brethren/brothers and the messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ.)

Gnva Whether any doe inquire of Titus, he is my fellowe and helper to you ward: or of our brethren, they are messengers of the Churches, and the glorie of Christ.
(Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my fellowe and helper to you ward: or of our brethren/brothers, they are messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ. )

Cvdl And this haue we done in greate hope towarde you, whether it be for Titus sake (which is my felowe and helper amonge you) or for oure brethre (which are Apostles of the cogregacions, & the prayse of Christ.)
(And this have we done in great hope toward you, whether it be for Titus sake (which is my fellow and helper among you) or for our brethren/brothers (which are Apostles of the congregations, and the praise of Christ.))

TNT partly for Titus sake which is my felowe and helper as concernynge you partly because of other which are oure brethren and the messengers of the congregacions and the glory of Christ.
(partly for Titus sake which is my fellow and helper as concerning you partly because of other which are our brethren/brothers and the messengers of the congregations and the glory of Christ. )

Wycl ethir for Tite, that is my felowe and helpere in you, ethir for oure britheren, apostlis of the chirches of the glorie of Crist.
(either for Tite, that is my fellow and helper in you, either for our brethren/brothers, apostles of the churchs of the glory of Christ.)

Luth Und wir sind großer Zuversicht zu euch, es sei des Titus halben, welcher mein Geselle und Gehilfe unter euch ist, oder unserer Brüder halben, welche Apostel sind der Gemeinden und eine Ehre Christi.
(And we/us are large confidence to/for you, it be the Titus half/halfway, which my companion and Gehilfe under you is, or ours brothers half/halfway, which apostles are the/of_the communities and a/one honour(n) Christi.)

ClVg sive pro Tito, qui est socius meus, et in vos adjutor, sive fratres nostri, Apostoli ecclesiarum, gloria Christi.[fn]
(if/or for Tito, who/which it_is socius mine, and in/into/on you(pl) helper, if/or brothers our, Apostles assemblies/churches, glory Christi. )

8.23 Sive. Vel sive per patres vestros apostolos Ecclesiarum ad gloriam Dei, id est quod ipsi sunt apostoli Ecclesiarum, hoc est gloriæ Dei Christi, id est ad gloriam Christi: quia in eis non hominum, sed Christi gloria est.

8.23 Sive. Or if/or through fathers yours apostles assemblies/churches to glory of_God, that it_is that themselves are apostles assemblies/churches, this it_is of_glory of_God Christi, that it_is to glory Christi: because in/into/on to_them not/no of_men, but of_Christ glory it_is.

UGNT εἴτε ὑπὲρ Τίτου, κοινωνὸς ἐμὸς καὶ εἰς ὑμᾶς συνεργός, εἴτε ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν, ἀπόστολοι ἐκκλησιῶν δόξα Χριστοῦ.
(eite huper Titou, koinōnos emos kai eis humas sunergos, eite adelfoi haʸmōn, apostoloi ekklaʸsiōn doxa Ⱪristou.)

SBL-GNT εἴτε ὑπὲρ Τίτου, κοινωνὸς ἐμὸς καὶ εἰς ὑμᾶς συνεργός· εἴτε ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν, ἀπόστολοι ἐκκλησιῶν, δόξα Χριστοῦ.
(eite huper Titou, koinōnos emos kai eis humas sunergos; eite adelfoi haʸmōn, apostoloi ekklaʸsiōn, doxa Ⱪristou.)

RP-GNT Εἴτε ὑπὲρ Τίτου, κοινωνὸς ἐμὸς καὶ εἰς ὑμᾶς συνεργός· εἴτε ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν, ἀπόστολοι ἐκκλησιῶν, δόξα χριστοῦ.
(Eite huper Titou, koinōnos emos kai eis humas sunergos; eite adelfoi haʸmōn, apostoloi ekklaʸsiōn, doxa ⱪristou.)

TC-GNT Εἴτε ὑπὲρ Τίτου, κοινωνὸς ἐμὸς καὶ εἰς ὑμᾶς συνεργός· εἴτε ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν, ἀπόστολοι ἐκκλησιῶν, δόξα Χριστοῦ.
(Eite huper Titou, koinōnos emos kai eis humas sunergos; eite adelfoi haʸmōn, apostoloi ekklaʸsiōn, doxa Ⱪristou. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 8:16–9:5: Titus and others went to Corinth

In this section, Paul told the believers in Corinth that Titus had gone to them (8:16–17) to help them prepare the gift for Paul to take (9:5). An unnamed believer went along with Titus, and Paul described his standing in other churches (8:18–19b). Then Paul described how they intended to be careful regarding this gift (8:19c–21). Paul referred to another unnamed believer who was going with Titus (8:22). He described the standing of Titus and the two believers going with him (8:23) and encouraged the believers in Corinth to treat them well (8:24).

Then Paul reminded the believers in Corinth of their own attitudes regarding this gift (9:1–2) and his goal (9:3–4).

Other examples for this section heading are:

The delegates recommended to the Corinthians (NJB)

Paul commended Titus and his companions

Titus and his companions came to help finish collecting the gift

8:23a

As for Titus,

If someone has questions regarding Titus,
If anyone questions why I send/sent Titus,

As for Titus: The Greek words are literally “If regarding Titus.” Paul leaves the subject and verb implied. The clause with the implied words is probably “If (anyone asks) regarding Titus,” because Paul told the believers in Corinth that they should love and accept Titus (8:24b) as they had before (7:7b, 13d). Some people in Corinth, perhaps the false apostles (11:13), might claim that Titus should not do this work and question his authority or standing. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

If anyone asks about Titus (NLT)

If there is any question about Titus (NET)

If Titus is in question (NJB)

8:23b

he is my partner and fellow worker among you.

he is my colleague and coworker to benefit you^(plur),
we have a close relationship in this ministry of the gospel and he has worked together with me in ministering/serving you.

my partner: Here the phrase my partner indicates that Titus had a close relationship with Paul and had similar goals. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

my colleague

my associate

fellow worker: This phrase indicates that Titus worked together with Paul in the ministry to the non-Jewish people. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

works with me (GNT)

coworker (GW)

among you: This phrase refers to Titus preaching, teaching, helping, and things like that in the midst of the believers in Corinth. Both Paul and Titus ministered to them and helped them. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in your midst

to help you (GNT)

for your benefit (ESV)

8:23c

As for our brothers,

and if someone has questions regarding our^(incl) brothers,
If anyone questions why our two fellow-believers come/came,

As for our brothers: The Greek words are literally “if our brothers.” Here the phrase refers to someone perhaps asking about these brothers. Someone might also question the authority of the two other believers. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

If anyone asks about our brothers

if there is any question about our brothers (NET)

8:23d

they are messengers of the churches,

they are official messengers of the churches
they act on behalf of the other groups of believers

they are messengers of the churches: The Greek word that the BSB translates as messengers is often translated as “apostles.” Here it indicates that the churches chose the two unnamed believers and gave them the authority to do things on their behalf. Other ways to translate this are:

they are the emissaries of the churches (NJB)

the brothers are official messengers of the churches (JBP)

they are delegates of the churches (REB)

they represent the churches

8:23e

to the glory of Christ.

and they bring glory/honor to Christ.
and people praise/honor Christ because of all that they do.

to the glory of Christ: The phrase the glory of Christ describes the “brothers” in 8:23c. Here the phrase may refer to:

their strong faith honors Christ;
- (bd) the things they do show Christ’s power and majesty.

Translate in a way that allows one or both meanings. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

bring glory to Christ (GNT)

and they bring honor to Christ (NLT)

their lives are to the praise of Christ

people praise/honor Christ because of what they do

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

κοινωνὸς ἐμὸς καὶ εἰς ὑμᾶς συνεργός

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἴτε ὑπέρ Τίτου κοινωνός ἐμός καί εἰς ὑμᾶς συνεργός εἴτε ἀδελφοί ἡμῶν ἀπόστολοι ἐκκλησιῶν δόξα Χριστοῦ)

The terms partner and fellow worker mean similar things. Paul is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [he is my partner in working for you] or [he is my fellow worker for you]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν

Paul is using the term brothers to mean people who share the same faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [our fellow believers] or [those believers]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν

Here, the phrase our brothers refers to the two other men who will accompany Titus. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [our two brothers] or [the brother we mentioned]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἀπόστολοι ἐκκλησιῶν

ambassadors ˱of˲_˓the˒_assemblies

Here, Paul is using the possessive form to describe messengers who were sent by the churches. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the idea more explicitly. Alternate translation: [they are messengers sent by the churches]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

δόξα Χριστοῦ

˓the˒_glory ˱of˲_Christ

Here, the phrase a glory of Christ describes the brothers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this clearer. Alternate translation: [and they are a glory of Christ]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

δόξα Χριστοῦ

˓the˒_glory ˱of˲_Christ

Here Paul uses the possessive to describe glory that belongs to Christ. He could mean more specifically that: (1) the brothers give glory to Christ. Alternate translation: [and they glorify Christ] (2) what the brothers do shows the glory that Christ has. Alternate translation: [and they show how glorious Christ is]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

δόξα Χριστοῦ

˓the˒_glory ˱of˲_Christ

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [glorifying Christ] or [who show that Christ is glorious]

Parallel 2 COR 8:23

Section 8:16–9:5: Titus and others went to Corinth

8:23a

8:23b

8:23c

8:23d

8:23e

Parallel 2 COR 8:23