20. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.
The participle a-TeWofXivoL depends on the verb o-vveiriixxl/afjLeu of the verse 18. 'We sent the brother with Titus, avoiding this ; ' that is, in order to avoid. It was not, however, merely the appointment of a brother to accompany Titus, but also the designation of that brother to take part in the distribution of the alms of the churches that Paul had determined upon in order to prevent misrepresentation. The reference is there- fore to the whole preceding sentence. The word areAXeti/, literally, to place, means also to set in order, to prepare, a sense which some adopt here. 'Preparmg for, taking care with regard to, this.' The word also means to withdraw, to contract, and hence to avoid, which best suits this place as well as 2 Thess. 3, 6, where the word also occurs. JLest any one should blame us. He was determined not to give any one the opportunity to call his integrity into question. In this cibundance lohich is administered hy us y i. e. in the dis- position of the large sums of money committed to his charge. The word ahpoT-q^ means ripeness, fulness, and then abundance ; the nature of wliich is of course determined by the context.
21. Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the. Lord, but also in the sight of men.
This gives the reason for the precaution just mentioned. It was not enough for the apostle to do right, he recognised the importance of appearing right. It is a foolish pride ^^•hich leads to a disregard of public opinion. We are bound to act in such a way that not only God, Avho sees the heart and knows all things, may approve our conduct, but also so that men may be constrained to recognise our integrity. It is a general principle regulating his whole life which the apostle here announces. Upovoovfxevos, 2^'^ovidl7iff for in one''s oion be- half. The apostle says. He took care beforehand tliat men us well as God should see that he Avas honest. Compare Kora. 12, 17, and Prov. 3, 4, in the LXX.
22. And we have sent with them our brotlier, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many