In this last section, Paul talks about the measures that he is taking to make sure that the offering he is collecting for the poor in Jerusalem is completely above board, that no one would be able to criticize him.
In doing so, he talks about the people that were chosen to be in charge of collecting the money and carrying it on to Jerusalem.
Among them were Titus and two unnamed brothers, one who was well known for his preaching of the gospel, and the other a man who had proven zealous in his work for the Lord.
Paul says of them,
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. (2 Corinthians 8:23)
The word “honor” is often translated “glory” as well. So Paul was also saying of these men that they were a glory to Christ.
What does that mean? I think it means these men by their very lives brought glory and honor to the name of Christ.
They did so by their zeal for him. They did so in the preaching of his word. And they did so in the love and concern that God had placed in their hearts for others.
As I read this, I ask myself, “Am I an honor to Christ? Do I bring glory to his name by my words and by my actions?
Am I zealous for him? Am I bringing his words to those who need to hear them? And is my heart filled with the love and concern God has for others?”
I hope that I am. I realize I’m not perfect. But I don’t want to do anything that would put a stain on the name of Christ.
How about you? Are you an honor to Christ? Do you bring glory to his name?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 