Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Experience in Corinth had taught Paul that he must anticipate suspicions or accusations of his detractors and take the necessary precautions (e.g., 11:9, 12). As the prime mover behind the Jerusalem collection that he expected to be sizable (cf. “this liberal gift”), he was particularly susceptible to malicious charges that the whole project was designed to bribe the Jerusalem church fully to support his ministry or that he was quietly retaining a commission for himself. This explains, for example, his original uncertainty as to whether he would accompany the churches’ delegates to Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:3–4; but cf. 2 Corinthians 1:16; Romans 15:25), his insistence that the Corinthians appoint their own accredited representatives (1 Corinthians 16:3), and his sending to Corinth (before he arrived!) two delegates along with his personal representative, Titus (vv.18–19, 22–23).

Paul was not one who sought human praise (Galatians 1:10), but he recognized that the progress of the Gospel was hindered if its ministers for any reason acquired a reputation for dishonest dealings (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 6:3). Verse 21 is virtually a quotation of Pr 3:4 (in LXX).