2 Corinthians 8:21
in 2 Corinthians 8For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
KJV
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 8
Commentary
12 notes on this verseAnd let the presbyters be compassionate and merciful to all, bringing back those that wander, visiting all the sick, and not neglecting the widow, the orphan, or the poor, but always "providing for that which is becoming in the sight of God and man;" abstaining from all wrath, respect of persons, and unjust judgment; keeping far off from all covetousness, not quickly crediting [an evil report] against any one, not severe in judgment, as knowing that we are all under a debt of sin.
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.
This site's exposition
in the eyes of men
Polycarp of Smyrna applies the verse to elders, who must provide what is becoming in the sight of God and of men. Chrysostom notes that Paul could have ignored suspicious people and chose instead to bear with their weakness. Albert Barnes sets it beside Romans 12:17.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers4 voices
But, above all, it seems right that we turn away from the sight of women. For it is sin not only to touch, but to look; and he who is rightly trained must especially avoid them. "Let thine eyes look straight, and thine eyelids wink right." For while it is possible for one who looks to remain stedfast; yet care must be taken against falling. For it is possible for one who looks to slip; but it is impossible for one, who looks not, to lust. For it is not enough for the chaste to be pure; but they must give all diligence, to be beyond the range of censure, shutting out all ground of suspicion, in order to the consummation of chastity; so that we may not only be faithful, but appear worthy of trust. For this is also consequently to be guarded against, as the apostle says, "that no man should blame us; providing things honourable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."
Paul is providing goods in the sight of God when he teaches that what God commands concerning the administering of aid to the saints or to the poor ought to be put into practice. But he also provides goods in the sight of others, because …
For "we take thought for things, honorable not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." What can compare with Paul? For he said not, 'Perdition and woe to him who chooses to suspect anything of the kind: so long as my conscience does not condemn me, I waste not a thought on those who suspect.' Rather, the weaker they were, the more he condescended. For it is meet not to be angry with, but help, him that is sick. And yet from what sin are we so removed as he was from any such suspicion? For not even a demon could have suspected that blessed saint of this unfaithfulness. But still although so far removed from that evil suspicion, he does everything and resorts to every expedient; so as not to leave a shadow even to those who might be desirous in any way of suspecting something wrong; and he avoids not only accusations, but also blame and the slightest censure, even bare suspicion.
(That) we all know; provided, however, we remember what the same (God) has said through the apostle: "Let your probity appear before men." For what purpose, except that malice may have no access at all to you, or that you may be an example and testimony to the evil? Else, what is (that): "Let your works shine? " Why, moreover, does the Lord call us the light of the world; why has He compared us to a city built upon a mountain; if we do not shine in (the midst of) darkness, and stand eminent amid them who are sunk down? If you hide your lamp beneath a bushel, you must necessarily be left quite in darkness, and be run against by many.
The Medieval Church1 voice
See how Paul's soul was troubled, lest he give the brethren an occasion for stumbling. For he did not say: I am pure, let whoever wants to slander me do so; but as before God, he says, so also before men, "we take care for …
4 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church1 voice
Then he proves this, saying: "for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of men," namely, that the good works may be seen by them. And he does this by providing carefully and by imitating …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Providing for honest things,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Providing for honest things - The expression used here occurs in Rom 12:17; see the note on that place. In that place, however, it refers to the manner in which we are to treat those who injure us; here it refers to the right way of using property; and it seems to have been a kind of maxim by which Paul regulated his life, a “vade mecum” that was applicable to everything. The sentiment is, that we are to see to it beforehand that all our conduct shall be comely or honest.
Providing for honest things - Taking care to act so as not only to be clear in the sight of God, but also to be clear in the sight of all men; avoiding even the appearance of evil. I wish the reader to refer to the excellent note on 1Co 16:4 (note), which I have extracted from Dr. Paley.
The words behind it
11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| προνοοῦμεν | pronooumen | We plan | G4306 → | |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| καλὰ | kala | what is right | G2570 → | |
| οὐ | ou | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| μόνον | monon | only | G3441 → | 110 times |
| ἐνώπιον | enopion | before | G1799 → | 94 times |
| κυρίου | kuriou | [the] Lord | G2962 → | 711 times |
| ἀλλὰ | alla | but | G235 → | 635 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἐνώπιον | enopion | before | G1799 → | 94 times |
| ἀνθρώπων. | anthropon | men. | G444 → | 549 times |
προνοοῦμενWe plan
pronooumenG4306 →
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
καλὰwhat is right
kalaG2570 →
οὐnot
ouG3756 →1664 times
μόνονonly
mononG3441 →110 times
ἐνώπιονbefore
enopionG1799 →94 times
κυρίου[the] Lord
kuriouG2962 →711 times
ἀλλὰbut
allaG235 →635 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἐνώπιονbefore
enopionG1799 →94 times
ἀνθρώπων.men.
anthroponG444 →549 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
Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
it leads to
- James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Titus 2:7
In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
- Romans 12:9–21
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
- Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22
but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
- James 3:17
Through
1 Peter 2:12Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 3:16
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
- Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- 1 Peter 3:16
Through
Romans 12:17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
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
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 12 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; Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor Book 3; John Chrysostom, Homily 18 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Polycarp of Smyrna, Epistle to the Philippians 6; Tertullian, On the Apparel of Women Book II; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.