New Living Translation
2 Corinthians 8:21
21We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.
2 Corinthians 8:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
- New International Version (NIV)For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
- English Standard Version (ESV)for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.
- New King James Version (NKJV)providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Context of 2 Corinthians 8:21
19He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help. 20We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable. 22We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. 23If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 82 Corinthians 8:21 word by word
προνοοῦμεν γὰρ καλὰ οὐ μόνον ἐνώπιον κυρίου ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐνώπιον ἀνθρώπων.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:21
- Romans 12:17Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
- Philippians 4:8And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
- 1 Timothy 5:14So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them.
- 1 Peter 2:12Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
- 2 Corinthians 2:17You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.
- 2 Corinthians 5:9So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.
- Matthew 5:16In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
- Matthew 6:1“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
- Matthew 23:5“Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22Stay away from every kind of evil.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Providing 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 1 Corinthians 16:4; (note), which I have extracted from Dr. Paley.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Providing for honest things - The expression used here occurs in Romans 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-24Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-24Two other Christian men would travel with Titus to Corinth to prevent any criticism about managing the relief funds they collected (8:20–21). Titus and his companions would ensure proper handling of the money. The identities of the two companions are unknown.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. The Septuagint (Pr 3:4; Ro 12:17). The oldest manuscripts read, "For we provide." honest things--"things honorable."Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 8:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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