2 Corinthians 8:20
in 2 Corinthians 8We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us:
KJV
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 8
Commentary
9 notes on this verseAvoiding this, that no man should blame us,.... There is an allusion in these words to mariners, who, when sensible of danger, steer their course another way, in order to shun a rock and secure themselves.
This site's exposition
We hope to avoid any criticism
on 2 Corinthians 8:20-21
Paul guards the fund against accusation in advance: We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift. Verse 21 names two audiences, the Lord and men, since integrity before God alone falls short in a public trust.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
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. […]
Since the matter had to do with administering aid, Paul makes this additional remark in order not to be thought negligent concerning the care of the poor or of the saints. For the apostles had agreed to keep the poor in mind.
The Medieval Church2 voices
This is worthy of a holy soul and of Paul's great care and condescension. We, he says, sent these men—not one, but several—"taking precaution," that is, anticipating and fearing lest anyone suspect us of using something from the offerings for our own benefit. And he …
Then when he says, "We intend," he assigns the cause for why he is sending such solemn messengers. First, he assigns the reason for this; secondly, he proves it (v. 21). He says therefore: the reason we are sending such solemn messengers is this, that …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
It is the crime of others if they reproach or censure us without occasion; and it is our imprudence at least if we give them any occasion, when there may not be a just cause for them so to do. He commends also another brother who was joined with the two former in this affair.
2 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us - Taking this prudent caution to have witnesses of our conduct, and such as were chosen by the Churches themselves, that we might not be suspected of having either embezzled or misapplied their bounty, See the note on 1Co 16:4.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Avoiding this - That is, I intend to prevent any blame from being cast upon me in regard to the management of these funds. For this purpose Paul had refused to have the entire management of the funds (see 1Co 12:3-4), and had secured the appointment of one who had the entire confidence of all the churches. That no man should blame us - That no one should have any occasion to say that I had appropriated it to my own use or contrary to the will of the donors. Paul felt how dangerous it was for ministers to have much to do with money matters. He had a very deep impression of the necessity of keeping his own character free from suspicion on this subject. He knew how easy it might be for his enemies to raise the charge that he had embezzled the funds and appropriated them to his own use. He therefore insisted on having associated with him some one who had the entire confidence of the churches, and who should be appointed by them, and thus he was certain of being forever free from blame on the subject. A most important example for all ministers in regard to the pecuniary benefactions of the churches. In this abundance ... - In this large amount which is contributed by the churches and committed to our disposal. Large sums of money are in our time committed to the ministers of the gospel in the execution of the objects of Christian benevolence. Nothing can be more wise than the example of Paul here, that they should have associated with them others who have the entire confidence of the churches, that there may not be occasion for slander to move her poisonous tongue against the ministers of religion.
The words behind it
14 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| στελλόμενοι | stellomenoi | avoiding | G4724 → | |
| τοῦτο, | touto | this, | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| μή | me | lest | G3361 → | 1066 times |
| τις | tis | anyone | G5100 → | 528 times |
| ἡμᾶς | hemas | us | G3165 → | 1936 times |
| μωμήσηται | momesetai | may blame | G3469 → | |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τῇ | tea | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἁδρότητι | hadroteti | abundance | G100 → | |
| ταύτῃ | taute | this | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| τῇ | tea | which | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| διακονουμένῃ | diakonoumene | is being administered | G1247 → | 37 times |
| ὑφ᾽ | huph᾽ | by | G5259 → | 219 times |
| ἡμῶν· | hemon | us; | G3165 → | 1936 times |
στελλόμενοιavoiding
stellomenoiG4724 →
τοῦτο,this,
toutoG3778 →1381 times
μήlest
meG3361 →1066 times
τιςanyone
tisG5100 →528 times
ἡμᾶςus
hemasG3165 →1936 times
μωμήσηταιmay blame
momesetaiG3469 →
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
τῇ<the>
teaG3588 →19766 times
ἁδρότητιabundance
hadrotetiG100 →
ταύτῃthis
tauteG3778 →1381 times
τῇwhich
teaG3588 →19766 times
διακονουμένῃis being administered
diakonoumeneG1247 →37 times
ὑφ᾽by
huph᾽G5259 →219 times
ἡμῶν·us;
hemonG3165 →1936 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Ephesians 5:15Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
it leads to
- Colossians 4:5
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- Philippians 1:27
Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm…
- Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
- Colossians 4:5
Through
Matthew 10:16Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Philippians 2:15
so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world
- Luke 10:3
Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20
Through
1 Thessalonians 5:22Abstain from every form of evil.
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 8:20–21
We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Corinthians 8:20–21
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies9
On this verse
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily 18 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.