Note 8 at 2 Cor. 8:23: Paul now completes his statements about the men going to Corinth to collect this gift. He states, "Titus is my partner, colleague and companion who is a fellow-worker with me in serving you and proclaiming Christ."

The "brethren" are the two unnamed Christian brothers who are going with Titus. They are representatives of the churches that bring glory and honor to Christ.

Note 9 at 2 Cor. 8:23: The Greek word that was translated "messengers" here is "apostolos," which means "a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; offically a commissioner of Christ ["apostle"] (with miraculous powers)." It was used a total of 79 times in the New Testament, and this is one of only three times it was not translated "apostle," "apostles," or "apostles'." It was translated "messenger" in Philippians 2:25 and "he that sent him" and "he that is sent" in John 13:16. Therefore, it would look like these brothers Paul is speaking of were apostles.