2 Corinthians 12:18
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? 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?
Titus did not travel alone but with another brother sent alongside him, illustrating the practice of teachers traveling in pairs. Paul sent Titus as his representative and trusted fellow worker. Paul and Titus acted with the same spirit and followed the same course and steps in their dealings with the Corinthians.
Neither Titus nor Paul exploited the Corinthians for personal gain, showing their shared integrity in serving God's people. Read with verses 24-26, the verse points to a church whose members are joined in Christ in mutual care, where all suffer when one suffers and all rejoice when one is honored. It tests whether a body called a church shows this unity and care rather than merely claiming apostolic descent or belonging to a particular organization.
Believers can be recognized as walking in the same spirit and steps as faithful examples who came before them, which makes the rule of meekness practical and encourages others to follow it. The verse quotes what Paul's objectors say about him rather than giving Paul's own teaching, showing that Paul sometimes records the words of objectors in his letters.