SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:20
Evitando que nadie nos vitupere en esta abundancia que ministramos;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:20
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 1 Cor. xvi. 4.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 20. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us , etc..] There is an allusion in these words to mariners, who, when sensible of danger, steer their course another way, in order to shun a rock and secure themselves. So the apostles being aware of the censorious spirits of some persons, and to prevent all suspicion of their converting any part of what they had collected to their own private use, sent Titus with it, a man of known probity and integrity; and he not by himself only, but another brother with him, one who had obtained a good report as a minister of the Gospel in all the churches: and, besides, was appointed not by the apostles, but by the churches themselves, to this service. This shows the good conduct, and great prudence of the apostle, and his care and solicitude that the ministry be not blamed; he knew he had many enemies, and how subject such are to suspicion and jealousy, when persons are intrusted with much, which was the case here; for it is added, in this abundance which is administered by us : which designs the very large contributions which were made by the churches, through the means of the apostle's moving, exciting, and encouraging them thereunto; and which were committed to their care and trust, and at their entreaty they had accepted of.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16-24 - The apostle commends the brethren sent to collect their charity, tha 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 a 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 pur conscience, is requisite for usefulness. They brought glory to Chris as instruments, and had obtained honour from Christ to be counte faithful, and employed in his service. The good opinion others have of us, should be an argument with us to do well __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
στελλομενοι 4724 5734 V-PMP-NPM τουτο 5124 D-ASN μη 3361 PRT-N τις 5100 X-NSM ημας 2248 P-1AP μωμησηται 3469 5667 V-ADS-3S εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF αδροτητι 100 N-DSF ταυτη 3778 D-DSF τη 3588 T-DSF διακονουμενη 1247 5746 V-PPP-DSF υφ 5259 PREP ημων 2257 P-1GP
Vincent's NT Word Studies
20. Avoiding this (stellomenoi touto). The verb, which occurs only here and 2 Thess. iii. 6, means to arrange or provide for. As preparation involves a getting together of things, it passes into the meaning of collect, gather: then contract, as the furling of sails; so, to draw back, draw one's self away, as 2 Thess. iii. 6. Connect with we have sent, ver. 18. Compare ch. xii. 17, 18, where it appears that he had been charged with collecting money for his own purposes. 150 Abundance (adrothti). Only here in the New Testament. Lit., thickness, and so, of the vigor or strength of the human body or of plants. Thus Hesiod speaks of the ears of corn nodding in their thickness. Herodotus: "When the harvest was ripe or full grown, (adrov), he (Alyattes) marched his army into Milesia" (i. 17). Homer of Patroclus: "His soul departed, leaving behind his strength (aJdrothta," 151 "Iliad," 16. 857). Herodotus uses it of thickly-falling snow (iv. 31). In the Septuagint it is used of the rich or great, 1 Kings i. 9, princes (A.V., men of Judah); 2 Kings x. 6, great men. The A.V. abundance is better than Rev. bounty, which, though properly implying abundance, is currently taken as synonymous with gift. The reference is to the large contribution.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:20 {Avoiding this } (stellomenoi touto). Present middle participle of stellw, old verb, to set, to arrange. So "arranging for ourselves this ." {That any man should blame us} (me tis hemas mwmesetai). Literally, "lest any one blame us" (negative purpose with me and first aorist middle subjunctive of mwmeomai. See on 6:3, only other N.T. example). {Bounty} (hadroteti). Old word from hadros, thick, stout, ripe, rich, great as in #1Ki 1:9; 2Ki 10:6. Only here in N.T.
