2 Corinthians 8 · Verse 20

2 Corinthians 8:20

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
2 Corinthians 8:20, King James Version

2 Corinthians 8:20 in other translations

BSBWe hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
WEBWe are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.
ASVavoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us:
YLTavoiding this, lest any one may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,
DARBYavoiding this, that any one should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us;
BBEAnd 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:
WebsterAvoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

What does 2 Corinthians 8:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
20. Avoiding--taking precautions against this. in this abundance--in the case of this abundance.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 20. 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 1Cor 16:3,4,) 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 for ever 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, etc. 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.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 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 1Cor 16:4.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

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…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 →

2 Corinthians 8:20 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

στελλόμενοιstellomenoiavoidingG4724
τοῦτο,toutothis,G3778
μήmēlestG3361
τιςtisanyoneG5100
ἡμᾶςhēmasusG3165
μωμήσηταιmōmēsētaimay blameG3469
ἐνeninG1722
τῇtēa<the>G3588
ἁδρότητιhadrotētiabundanceG100
ταύτῃtautēthisG3778
τῇtēawhichG3588
διακονουμένῃdiakonoumenēis being administeredG1247
ὑφ᾽huph᾽byG5259
ἡμῶν·hēmōnus;G3165

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 8:20

  • Ephesians 5:15

    See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:22

    Abstain from all appearance of evil.

  • Romans 14:16

    Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

  • Matthew 10:16

    Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:3

    And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:12

    But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that.
11:12; Mt 10:16; Ro 14:16; 1Co 16:3; Eph 5:15; 1Th 5:22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 8:19

    And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

  • 2 Corinthians 8:20

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

  • 2 Corinthians 8:21

    Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Evitando que nadie nos vitupere en esta abundancia que ministramos;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		évitant que personne ne nous blâme dans cette abondance qui est administrée par nous;
German
Elberfelder 1871		indem wir dies verhüten, daß uns nicht jemand übel nachrede dieser reichen Gabe halben, die von uns bedient wird;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		devitantes hoc, ne quis nos vituperet in hac plenitudine, quæ ministratur a nobis.