Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, May 7th, 2025
the Third Week after Easter
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Read the Bible

New Living Translation

2 Corinthians 8:20

We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift.

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.
Literal Translation
avoiding this, lest anyone should blame us in this bounty being ministered 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 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 thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. 19 He 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. 20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. 21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable. 22 We 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. 23 If 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. 24 So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

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
Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift,
Genesis 7:2
Take with you seven pairs—male and female—of each animal I have approved for eating and for sacrifice, and take one pair of each of the others.
Genesis 8:1
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede.
Genesis 8:4
exactly five months from the time the flood began, the boat came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.
Genesis 8:7
and released a raven. The bird flew back and forth until the floodwaters on the earth had dried up.
Genesis 8:8
He also released a dove to see if the water had receded and it could find dry ground.
Genesis 8:15
Then God said to Noah,
Genesis 8:16
"Leave the boat, all of you—you and your wife, and your sons and their wives.
Genesis 8:17
Release all the animals—the birds, the livestock, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—so they can be fruitful and multiply throughout the earth."
Genesis 13:4
This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again.

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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