SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:21
procurando lo honesto no slo delante del Seor, sino aun delante de los hombres.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 8:21
Verse 21. Providing 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 Cor. xvi. 4, which I have extracted from Dr. Paley.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. Providing for honest things , etc..] Or premeditating, forecasting, or considering before hand in the mind, things that are good, that are of good report among men, as well as accounted good by God; for it becomes professors of religion, and especially ministers of the Gospel, to be careful not only to exercise a good conscience towards God; but so to behave, that they may obtain and preserve the good opinion of men; for when they have once lost their credit and reputation among men, their ministry becomes in a great, measure useless; wherefore the apostle adds, not only in the sight of the Lord : the same Lord as before, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is a diligent searcher of the hearts, and discerner of the thoughts, and observer of the ways and actions of all his people; but also in the sight of men ; not that the apostle affected a mere outside show, popular applause, and the praise of men; but was concerned lest any weak persons, by their conduct, should be stumbled and fall, the edification of any should be hindered, and their ministry become unprofitable.
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
προνοουμενοι 4306 5734 V-PMP-NPM καλα 2570 A-APN ου 3756 PRT-N μονον 3440 ADV ενωπιον 1799 ADV κυριου 2962 N-GSM αλλα 235 CONJ και 2532 CONJ ενωπιον 1799 ADV ανθρωπων 444 N-GPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
21. We take thought (pronooumenoi). Beforehand (pro). See on Rom. xii. 17. The words are from Prov. iii. 4, where the Septuagint reads, take thought for honorable things in the sight of the Lord and of men.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:21 {We take thought} (pronoumen). Old verb, to plan beforehand (pro-) as in #Ro 12:17; 1Ti 5:8. {But also in the sight of men} (alla kai enwpion anqrwpwn). It is not enough for one's financial accounts to be honorable (kala) as God sees them, but they should be so kept that men can understand them also. A timely warning. Paul took the utmost pains that no suspicion could be attached to him in this collection.
