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Sunday, May 11th, 2025
the Fourth Sunday after Easter
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Read the Bible

Green's Literal Translation

2 Corinthians 8:20

avoiding this, lest anyone should blame us in this bounty being ministered by us;

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Prudence;   Titus;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Titus;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Corinth;   Trophimus;   Tychicus;   Holman Bible Dictionary - 2 Corinthians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Gift, Giving;   Joy;   Titus;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Collection;   Commendation ;   Minister Ministry;   Minister, Ministration;   Trophimus ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Titus;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Troph'imus;   Tych'icus;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Abound;   Administer;   Avoid;   Paul, the Apostle;   Ships and Boats;   Trophimus;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
We are taking this precaution so that no one will criticize us about this large sum that we are administering.
King James Version (1611)
Auoyding this, that no man should blame vs in this aboundance which is administred by vs.
King James Version
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
English Standard Version
We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us,
New American Standard Bible
taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift;
New Century Version
We are being careful so that no one will criticize us for the way we are handling this large gift.
Amplified Bible
We are taking precaution so that no one will [find anything with which to] discredit us in our administration of this generous gift.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift;
Legacy Standard Bible
taking precaution lest anyone discredits us in our ministering of this generous gift,
Berean Standard Bible
We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
Contemporary English Version
We don't want anyone to find fault with the way we handle your generous gift.
Complete Jewish Bible
Our aim in this is to show that our conduct in dealing with these substantial sums is above reproach;
Darby Translation
avoiding this, that any one should blame us in this abundance [which is] administered by us;
Easy-to-Read Version
We are being careful so that no one will criticize us about the way we are caring for this large gift.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Auoiding this, that no man shoulde blame vs in this aboundance that is ministred by vs,
George Lamsa Translation
But we are careful in this, lest any one should blame us in connection with this generous help which is administered by us.
Good News Translation
We are being careful not to stir up any complaints about the way we handle this generous gift.
Lexham English Bible
We are trying to avoid this, lest anyone should find fault with us in this abundant gift that is being administered by us.
American Standard Version
avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us:
Bible in Basic English
And so that no man might be able to say anything against us in the business of this giving which has been put into our hands:
Hebrew Names Version
We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us in concerning this bounty which is served by us.
International Standard Version
We are trying to avoid any criticism of the way we are administering this great undertaking.
Etheridge Translation
20 For we are precautious in this, that no one should lay upon us any imputation [fn]
Murdock Translation
20 we hereby guarded, that no one should cast censure on us, in [fn] this abundance which is ministered by us.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For this we eschewe, that any man shoulde rebuke vs in this plenteous distribution that is ministred by vs:
English Revised Version
Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is ministered by us:
World English Bible
We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us in concerning this bounty which is served by us.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
and for the declaration of our ready mind) Avoiding this, lest any one should blame us in this abundance, which is administred by us.
Weymouth's New Testament
For against one thing we are on our guard--I mean against blame being thrown upon us in respect to these large and liberal contributions which are under our charge.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
eschewynge this thing, that no man blame vs in this plente, that is mynystrid of vs to the glorye of the Lord.
Update Bible Version
Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is being provided by us:
Webster's Bible Translation
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
New English Translation
We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering.
New King James Version
avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us--
New Living Translation
We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift.
New Life Bible
We want everyone to trust us with the way we take this large gift of money to them.
New Revised Standard
We intend that no one should blame us about this generous gift that we are administering,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Arranging this - lest anyone, upon us, should cast blame, in this munificence which is being ministered by us;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.
Revised Standard Version
We intend that no one should blame us about this liberal gift which we are administering,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For thys we eschue that eny man shuld rebuke vs in this plenteous distribucion that is ministred by vs
Young's Literal Translation
avoiding this, lest any one may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and to bewarre, lest eny ma reporte euell of vs because of this plenteousnes, which is mynistred by vs:
Mace New Testament (1729)
this I did, to prevent any suspicion that might be rais'd from my having the management of so great a sum:
Simplified Cowboy Version
We aren't going to take any chances with our reputation regarding the money.

Contextual Overview

16 But thanks be to God, who gives the same earnestness for you in the heart of Titus. 17 For truly he received the entreating, but being more earnest, he went out to you of his own accord. 18 But we sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the assemblies, 19 and not only so , but also he having been chosen by the assemblies as a traveling companion to us with this gift being ministered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself, and your eagerness, 20 avoiding this, lest anyone should blame us in this bounty being ministered by us; 21 providing right things not only before the Lord, but also before men. Prov. 3:4 22 And we sent with them our brother whom we often proved in many things to be earnest, and now much more earnest by the great assurance which I have toward you. 23 If any asks about Titus, he is my partner and a fellow worker for you; or about our brothers, they are messengers of the assemblies, the glory of Christ. 24 Then show them a proof of your love and of our boastings on your behalf, even in the sight of the assemblies.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

that: 2 Corinthians 11:12, Matthew 10:16, Romans 14:16, 1 Corinthians 16:3, Ephesians 5:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:32 - before 2 Kings 22:7 - they dealt faithfully Ezra 8:25 - weighed Ezra 8:33 - weighed Acts 4:35 - at Romans 12:17 - Provide 2 Corinthians 6:3 - General 1 Thessalonians 4:12 - ye may walk

Cross-References

Genesis 4:4
And Abel brought, he also, from the firstlings of his flocks, even from their fat. And Jehovah looked to Abel and to his offering.
Genesis 7:2
You shall take to yourself from every clean animal by sevens, male and female, and from the animal that is not clean by two, male and female.
Genesis 8:1
And God remembered Noah and every living thing, and all the cattle which were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.
Genesis 8:4
And in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat.
Genesis 8:7
And he sent out a raven, and it went out, going out and returning until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
Genesis 8:8
He also sent out from him the dove, to see if the waters had gone down from off the face of the earth.
Genesis 8:15
And God spoke to Noah, saying,
Genesis 8:16
Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you.
Genesis 8:17
Bring out from you every living thing that is with you, of all flesh, of fowl, of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creeps on the earth; and let them swarm on the earth, and bear, and multiply on the earth.
Genesis 13:4
to the place of the altar which he had made there at the first. And Abram called on the name of Jehovah there.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us,.... 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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 1 Corinthians 12:3-4), 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 forever 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 ... - 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

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, 1 Corinthians 16:4.


 
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