Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:21

"for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." — 2 Corinthians 8:21 (ASV)

Providing for honest things . . .—Many of the best manuscripts give: For we provide for honest things, as though he gave the general principle on which he was now acting in this particular instance. This rule of life is repeated a few months afterwards in Romans 12:17.

The English reader does not recognize the fact, which the Greek reader would see at once, that the words are a quotation from Proverbs 3:4, where the Greek version has: Write them upon the table of thine heart, and thou shalt find favour. Provide things honest in the sight of God and man.

This citation is interesting, as it shows that even one who was taught by the Spirit, as St. Paul was, could still find guidance for his daily conduct in a book that seems to many almost to be below the level of the spiritual life.

In this case, if the Apostle had only had the judgment of God to consider, he could with a pure conscience have taken the money to Jerusalem by himself. But he had to consider that men were judging him, and might suspect him, and therefore he insisted, as has been said above, on having his accounts audited.