WHO IS THIS GOSPEL PREACHING BROTHER?
Paul told the Corinthians that he was sending Titus and “another brother” to them to collect the Jerusalem offering. Who was this brother whom “all the churches” praised for his gospel preaching? It is impossible to know for sure, but Luke is a likely candidate. He was a constant companion of Paul and he was the author of the Gospel of Luke. His Gospel may have already started to circulate among the churches, making him a renowned member of Paul’s team and perhaps the reason for Paul keeping him anonymous.
John Mark, author of the Gospel according to Mark, is another candidate. Although Paul didn’t want to travel with him after he went home early on their first missionary journey, they were later reconciled as evidenced in Paul’s reference to him in 1 Timothy 4:11.
Other possible well known gospel preachers that were companions of Paul include Apollos and Barnabas. But the truth is, the identity of the brother that Paul sent with Titus remains unknown, as does Paul’s reason for anonymity.
This unnamed brother was highly respected not only for his gospel preaching, but also for his integrity, for Paul went on to say that “he was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem” (2 Cor. 8:19). In other words, he was the trustee appointed to verify that the monies collected for Jerusalem were actually delivered as promised.
Whoever this brother was, he was highly respected both for his gospel preaching and his great integrity.