2 Corinthians 8:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What can be compared with Paul? He did not say, “Let him be wretched and perish who suspects anything of this sort. So long as my conscience does not accuse me, I have no concern for those who suspect.”

On the contrary, the weaker they were, the more he condescended to them. One must not be indignant at the sick man, but help him.

Yet from what sin are we so far removed as he was removed from such suspicions? Even if someone were like a demon, he could not suspect the blessed Apostle in this ministry.

See how Paul's soul was troubled not to give the brethren any occasion for stumbling. He did not say, "I am clean; let whoever wishes slander me." Rather, he says, before God and before men we take care for what is good. That is, we strive to appear blameless. The weaker they are, the more one must condescend to them, because we also condescend to little children when we care for them.

Paul takes care for what is good before the Lord, because he teaches what God commands concerning service to the saints or the needy. He takes care for what is good before men. For the Apostle Paul sends to the service those who can be honorable and will not permit a stumbling block. He urges his helpers always to act so that his good teaching may not suffer or be lowered by reproach because of negligent servants.

Not being satisfied with the Lord's testimony alone, we desire that men also should have a good opinion of us and draw benefit from this.

"Taking care for what is good not only before God, but also before men." "Not being satisfied with the Lord's testimony alone, we desire that men also should have a good opinion of us" (Theodoret).

We strive, he says, to do good not only so that it may be pure and perfect before God and our conscience. We also strive so that others may see it so, not for the sake of praise, but that we may not scandalize a brother.

“Not being satisfied with the testimony of the Lord alone, we desire that people also have a good opinion of us and draw profit from it” (Theodoret).

The scandal of others through an unreasonable manner of doing good greatly diminishes the goodness of such deeds. One cannot say, “My conscience is clean. Let whoever loves suspicion think as he wishes.” This reveals a hard heart, unwilling to consider the infirmities of the weak. It is also a proud heart, despising others.