Footsteps and Spirit: Syntax and Rhetoric in Paul’s Defense

Παρεκάλεσα Τίτον καὶ συναπέστειλα τὸν ἀδελφόν· μήτι ἐπλεονέκτησεν ὑμᾶς Τίτος; οὐ τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι περιεπατήσαμεν; οὐ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσι; (2 Corinthians 12:18)

I urged Titus and sent the brother with him; surely Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same spirit? In the same footsteps?

Παρεκάλεσα…καὶ συναπέστειλα: Coordinated Aorists

The verse opens with two coordinated first person singular aorist active indicative verbs: παρεκάλεσα (“I urged”) and συναπέστειλα (“I sent together”). These aorists are used to refer to definite past actions, emphasizing Paul’s personal involvement in a decision he made at a particular moment in time. The compound verb συναπέστειλα highlights that Titus was not sent alone; another trusted companion (unnamed here) accompanied him. This not only adds credibility but subtly underscores accountability in Paul’s ministry actions.

μήτι ἐπλεονέκτησεν ὑμᾶς Τίτος;: Rhetorical Question with μήτι

The question μήτι ἐπλεονέκτησεν ὑμᾶς Τίτος; (“Surely Titus did not exploit you?”) is a classic example of a rhetorical question expecting the answer “no.” The particle μήτι introduces a question that anticipates a negative response, reinforcing Paul’s defense of Titus’ integrity. The verb ἐπλεονέκτησεν is aorist active indicative, from πλεονεκτέω (“to exploit, take advantage of”), used here to imply financial or ethical misconduct — which Paul firmly denies. The placement of Τίτος at the end of the clause puts rhetorical emphasis on the subject being defended.

οὐ τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι περιεπατήσαμεν;

This question introduces a new line of defense, framed around unity of spirit. The dative phrase τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι (“in the same spirit”) is the object of the prepositionally used verb περιεπατήσαμεν (“we walked”), from περιπατέω, meaning “to conduct oneself.” The verb is in the first person plural aorist active indicative, referring to the behavior and attitude shared by Paul and his co-workers. The use of οὐ here — unlike μήτι earlier — signals a question expecting a positive response, affirming their integrity and shared conduct. The grammar subtly shifts the emotional tone from defense to appeal.

οὐ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσι;: Instrumental Dative of Manner

The final clause, οὐ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσι; (“in the same footsteps?”), mirrors the previous structure and repeats the rhetorical question pattern. τοῖς αὐτοῖς is a dative plural adjective agreeing with ἴχνεσι (“footsteps”), forming an instrumental dative of manner — describing the way in which Paul and his team conducted themselves. This creates a parallelism with τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι, reinforcing their consistent behavior both in heart and in action. The repetition and parallel dative constructions form a climactic rhythm, underscoring moral transparency.

Emotional and Logical Rhetoric: Paul’s Defense Strategy

Paul’s strategy here is not simply grammatical — it’s rhetorical. He alternates between negative questions expecting denial (with μήτι) and affirmative ones expecting agreement (with οὐ). The grammatical rhythm of questions builds a tight argument: Paul sent Titus, not to exploit, but to walk in shared spirit and conduct. The mix of singular (παρεκάλεσα, συναπέστειλα) and plural (περιεπατήσαμεν) verbs reflects the blend of individual authority and communal accountability in Paul’s ministry.

Parsing Table: Key Verbs and Constructions

One Spirit, One Path

2 Corinthians 12:18 showcases the elegance of Paul’s rhetorical technique wrapped in precise Greek syntax. By combining aorist tense, interrogative particles, and carefully chosen datives, Paul asserts moral credibility while appealing to shared values. The questions are not traps — they are tools of persuasion. Through consistent grammatical patterns and mirrored clauses, Paul lays bare a defense not only of Titus but of gospel integrity. His path was not his alone — it was walked in one spirit, and in shared footsteps.