Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 12:18

18 I desired Titus , and with him I sent a brother : Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps ?

The Apostle, to avoid or wipe off this imputation, appealeth to themselves, to name any person (whom he had sent unto them) that had taken any thing of them for his use. He saith, that he desired Titus to come to them, of this desire we read before Chap. 8.6, 16, 18, 22.

With him (he saith) he sent another Brother; this is that Brother, of whom he had said, v. 18. That his praise was in the Gospel throughout all the Churches. Some guess it was Luke, but there is no certainty of that; he appeals to them, whether either of these made a gain of them? that is, took any thing of them.

And whether they did not walk in the same spirit, and in the same steps? Whether they did not shew the same generosity and freedom? And by their behaviour amongst them did not shew, that they did not seek what was theirs (to be inriched, by their Estates) but them; to communicate the riches of Grace to their Souls. The circumstances of Gods Providence may be such towards faithful Ministers, as that they may be constrained to make use of others to do their work; but such, so near as they can judge, will never make use of any therein, but such as are of the same Spirit with themselves, and walk in the same steps.