He mentions two things in the close: “ that our brethren behold your love,” and secondly, “ care, that it be not in vain that I have boasted of you.” For
αὐτούς (to them,) appears to me to be equivalent to coram ipsis (before them,) for this clause does not refer to the poor, but to the messengers of whom mention had been made. (702) For he immediately afterwards subjoins, that they would not be alone witnesses, but in consequence of the report given by them, a report would go out even to distant Churches.
(702) “Qui estoyent enuoyez comme ambassadeurs vers les Corinthiens;” — “ had been sent as ambassadors to the Corinthians.”