John Gill Commentary Nehemiah 6:13

"For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me." — Nehemiah 6:13 (ASV)

Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so ,
and sin
By distrusting the power and providence of God to protect him, and by going into such a part of the temple, which he, being no priest, had no right to go into:

and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might
reproach me ;
as a rebel and traitor against the king, which had been reported of him, and which would be strengthened by such a step.