2 Corinthians 8:20

We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

World English Bible
Learn

Your notes

Private to you. Anything you write on this verse, here or while reading, shows up here and in My study.

Other translations

WEBBE

We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

BSB

We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift .

KJV

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

ASV

avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is ministered by us:

BBE

And so that no man might be able to say anything against us in the business of this giving which has been put into our hands:

Original Greek

Look up a word

Tap a word to see what it means and everywhere else it's used.

The early church

What is, "to the glory of the same Lord, and your ready mind?" 'That both God may be glorified and ye may become the readier, they who are to receive this money being of proved character, and no one able to engender any false suspicion against them. Therefore we sought out such persons, and entrusted not the whole to one person only, that he might escape this suspicion also; but we sent both Titus and another with him. Then to interpret this same expression, "to the glory of the Lord and your ready mind:" he added, "Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us." What can this be which is said? A thing worthy of the virtue of Paul; and showing the greatness of his tender care and his condescension. 'For,' he says, 'that none should suspect us, nor have the slightest cavil against us, as though we purloined aught of the money placed in our hands; therefore we send such persons, and not one only, but even two or three.' Seest thou how he clears them of all suspicions? Not on account of the Gospel, nor of their having been chosen merely; but also, from their being persons of proved character, (and for this very reason) having been chosen, that they might not be suspected. And he said not 'that ye should not blame,' but 'that no other person should,' And yet it was on their account that he did this; and he implied as much in saying, "to the glory of the same Lord, and your readiness:" however, he does not wish to wound them; and so expresses himself differently, "Avoiding this." And he is not satisfied with this either, but by what he adds, soothes again, saying, "In the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us," and mingling his severity with praise. For that they might not feel hurt, and say, 'Is he obliged then to eye us stealthily, and are we so miserable as ever to have been suspected of these things?' Providing a correction against this too, he says, 'the money sent by you is of large amount, and this abundance, that is, the large amount of the money, is enough to afford suspicion to the evil-minded had we not offered that security.'
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 2 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 16–24

The apostle commends the brethren sent to collect their charity, that it might be known who they were, and how safely they might be trusted. It is the duty of all Christians to act prudently; to hinder, as far as we can, all unjust suspicions. It is needful, in the first place, to act uprightly in the sight of God, but things honest in the sight of men should also be attended to. A clear character, as well as a pure conscience, is requisite for usefulness. They brought glory to Christ as instruments, and had obtained honour from Christ to be counted faithful, and employed in his service. The good opinion others have of us, should be an argument with us to do well.

Read Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 8 →

Cross-references

6

Topics

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.