2Cor 8:19-21 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 19. And not that only . Not only is he esteemed on account of other services which he has rendered by his preaching and writings; but he has had a new mark of the confidence of the churches in being appointed to convey the collection to Jerusalem. Chosen of the churches . Chosen by the churches. Many concurred in the choice, showing that they had entire confidence in him. Paul had been unwilling to have charge of this contribution alone, , comp. , and he had procured the appointment of some one to undertake it. Probably he expected that the church at Corinth would concur in this appointment. With this grace . Marg. "gift." See . The word here refers to the alms, or the collection which had been made. Which is administered by us . That is, which is undertaken by us. Paul had been the instrument of procuring it. To the glory of the same Lord . The Lord of us all. The design was to promote the glory of the Lord, by showing the influence of religion in producing true benevolence. And declaration of your ready mind . That is, to afford you an opportunity of evincing your readiness to do good to others, and to promote their welfare. (1) "grace" "gift" (d) "to the glory of the same Lord"

2 Corinthians 8:19-21

Verse 19. And not that only. Not only is he esteemed on account of other services which he has rendered by his preaching and writings; but he has had a new mark of the confidence of the churches in being appointed to convey the collection to Jerusalem.

Chosen of the churches. Chosen by the churches. Many concurred in the choice, showing that they had entire confidence in him. Paul had been unwilling to have charge of this contribution alone, 1Cor 16:3,4, comp. 2Cor 8:20, and he had procured the appointment of some one to undertake it. Probably he expected that the church at Corinth would concur in this appointment.

With this grace. Marg. "gift." See 2Cor 8:1. The word here refers to the alms, or the collection which had been made.

Which is administered by us. That is, which is undertaken by us. Paul had been the instrument of procuring it.

To the glory of the same Lord. The Lord of us all. The design was to promote the glory of the Lord, by showing the influence of religion in producing true benevolence.

And declaration of your ready mind. That is, to afford you an opportunity of evincing your readiness to do good to others, and to promote their welfare.

(1) "grace" "gift" (d) "to the glory of the same Lord" 2Cor 4:15 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. Verse 21. Providing for honest things. The expression here used occurs Rom 12:17. Rom 12:17. 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. The word rendered "providing for," (προνοουμενοι,) means foreseeing, or perceiving beforehand; and the idea is, that we are to make it a matter of previous calculation, a settled plan, a thing that is to be attended to of set design. In the middle voice, the form in which it occurs here, it means to provide for in one's own behalf; to apply one's self to anything; to practise diligently.--Robinson. The word rendered "things honest" (καλα) means, properly, beautiful or comely. The idea which is presented here is, that we are to see beforehand, or we are to make it a matter of set purpose, that what we do shall be comely; that is, just, honourable, correct, not only in the sight of the Lord, but in the sight of men. Paul applies this in his own case to the alms which were to be intrusted to him. His idea is, that he meant so to conduct [himself] in the whole transaction, as that his conduct should be approved by God, but that it should also be regarded as beautiful or correct in the sight of men. He knew how much his own usefulness depended on an irreproachable character. He, therefore, procured the appointment of one who had the entire confidence of the churches to travel with him. But there is no reason for confining this to the particular case under consideration. It seems to have been the leading maxim of the life of Paul, and it should be of ours. The maxim may be applied to everything which we have to do; and should constantly regulate us. It may be applied to the acquisition and use of property; to the discharge of our professional duties; to our intercourse with others; to our treatment of inferiors and dependents; to our charities, etc.: in all of which we should make it a matter of previous thought, of earnest diligence, that our conduct should be perfectly honest and comely before God and man. Let us learn from this verse also, that ministers of the gospel should be especially careful that their conduct in money matters, and especially in the appropriation of the charities of the church, should be above suspicion. Much is often intrusted to their care, and the churches and individual Christians often commit much to their discretion. Their conduct in this should be without reproach; and in order to this, it is well to follow the example of Paul, and to insist that others who have the entire confidence of the churches should be associated with them. Nothing is easier than to raise a slanderous report against a minister of the gospel; and nothing gratifies a wicked world more than to be able to do it--and perhaps especially if it pertains to some improper use of money. It is not easy to meet such reports when they are started; and a minister, therefore, should be guarded, as Paul was, at every possible point, that he may be freed from that "whose breath outvenoms all the worms of Nile"-- SLANDER.

(e) "honest things" Rom 12:17, Php 4:8, 1Pet 2:12 (*) "things" "things which are good"