We continue our study of a few New Testament characters whose identity God has seen fit not to
reveal. "As unknown, and yet well known" (2 Cor. 6:9).
Two Trustworthy Brothers
Two unnamed brothers, highly commended by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 8, next claim our
attention. As to the first, he writes:"And we have sent with [Titus] the brother whose praise is
in the gospel throughout all the churches; and not that only, but who was also chosen of the
churches to travel with us with this grace" (8:18,19).
Many have been the guesses as to what individual is meant in this passage. However, it is enough
for us to know that he was a brother devoted to the spread of the blessed gospel and had so
conducted himself that he was well known in this connection in all the assemblies. What an honor
was this bestowed by the Holy Spirit on a servant of the Lord! His work commended him far and
wide, and this was better by far than having his name written out for us on the pages of
inspiration. Having obtained this confidence of all of the gatherings of the believers, he was
considered a fit man to accompany Titus in his conveyance of their bounty to the poor saints at
Jerusalem.
Another unnamed brother was appointed to accompany these two. Paul refers to him as one
"whom we have often proved to be of diligent zeal in many things, but now more diligently
zealous through the great confidence he has as to you" (8:22,23 JND). He apparently was not a
laborer in the Word and doctrine like the first, but a trusted messenger, of which the early
churches often had need in the absence of modern communication services. He was a hopeful man,
since he could have confidence in such as the Corinthians. He was evidently motivated by that love
which "believes all things, hopes all things" (1 Cor. 13:7).
Though these brothers’ names are unknown to us, they are nevertheless honored names, and the
honors bestowed upon them are such as all believers might well covet. Nothing whatever is said
of any gift they might have possessed, any fluency of speech, or ability to teach or preach. The
points noted of them are diligence and faithfulness, dependability and confidence in their
Corinthian brethren.
May the Lord give us to covet earnestly these qualities of diligence, earnestness, and faithfulness,
and such a life as shall bring about deserved recognition by the assemblies of God.
A Peacemaker
"I entreat you also, true yokefellow, help those women who labored with me in the gospel" (Phil.
4:3). Here we have yet another anonymous person mentioned. Whatever his name might have
been, we have something even better than a personal name. He is styled "true [that is, genuine]
yokefellow." What honor is conveyed in the term–a genuine, a faithful, a dependable fellow
laborer of the apostle. Paul entreats him to help those women (evidently Euodias and Syntyche)
who labored with him the gospel. The "help" the apostle entreats was to try to bring together
again these two alienated sisters who had become so in connection with the work of the Lord. He
was requested to act as peacemaker between them, and this was indeed a most delicate
commission–one requiring rare grace and special moral qualifications. "Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9).
With what admirable delicacy does the wise apostle here refer to the conflict between this pair of
active Christian women. He deals with it not by an elaborate exposure of its obvious wrong, but
by carrying it into the sanctuary of holiness and peace, there to die. How prominent in the dear
apostle was that love that "shall cover the multitude of sins" (1 Pet. 4:8). And how rare today are
these genuine workers for Christ to whom this designation of honor could be truthfully applied.
There are many who are ready enough and fitted by their spiritual state to promote friction and
discord between believers, to cause alienation, and to destroy confidence between those who labor
in and for the Lord. But true promoters of godly peace, helpers in the so often needed service of
reconciliation among brothers and sisters in Christ, are distinguished by their regrettable rarity.
O Christian covet earnestly to be a promoter of peace among the Lord’s flock, where there is often
so much to cause friction, where so many nurse grievances, where unbecoming coolness so often
settles between those who are exhorted to "love as brethren." The commission is yours, as it is
mine, and may we ever seek grace to be used in this blessed ministry of reconciliation among the
so often alienated members of the household of faith.
(From Holding Fast and Holding Forth, Vol. 22.)