2nd Corinthians Chapter 8 verse 21 Holy Bible
for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
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For the business has been so ordered by us as to have the approval, not only of the Lord, but of men.
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for we provide for things honest, not only before [the] Lord, but also before men.
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Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
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Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
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providing right things, not only before the Lord, but also before men;
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Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 21. - Honest things. The word "honest" means "honourable" (Romans 12:17; Proverbs 3:4, LXX.). Not only in the sight of the Lord. Such precautions would be unnecessary if others were not concerned, for God knows our honesty (2 Corinthians 5:11). But also before men. Although the text "avoid all appearance of evil" should be rendered "avoid every species of evil," the mistranslation conveys a wise lesson. "In a field of melons," says the Chinese proverb. "do not stoop to tie your shoe;" for that will look as if you wanted to steal one of the melons.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) Providing for honest things . . .--Many of the best MSS. give: "For we provide for honest things," as though he gave the general principle on which he was now acting in this particular instance. The rule of life is repeated, a few months afterwards, in Romans 12:17. The English reader does not recognise the fact, which the Greek reader would see at once, that the words are a quotation from Proverbs 3:4. where the Greek version has: "Write them upon the table of thine heart, and thou shalt find favour. Provide things honest in the sight of God and man. The citation is interesting, as showing that even one who was taught by the Spirit, as St. Paul was, could yet find guidance for his daily conduct in a book which seems to many almost to be below the level of the spiritual life. In this case, had the Apostle had only the judgment of God to consider, he could with a pure conscience have taken up the money to Jerusalem by himself. But he had to consider that men were judging him, and might suspect him, and therefore he insisted, as has been said above, on having his accounts audited.
