Matthew 6:3
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does:
American King James Version (AKJV)
But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does:
American Standard Version (ASV)
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But when you give money, let not your left hand see what your right hand does:
Webster's Revision
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
World English Bible
But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does,
English Revised Version (ERV)
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Definitions for Matthew 6:3
Clarke's Matthew 6:3 Bible Commentary
Let not thy left hand know - In many cases, works of charity must be hidden from even our nearest relatives, who, if they knew, would hinder us from doing what God has given us power and inclination to perform. We must go even farther; and conceal them as far as is possible from ourselves, by not thinking of them, or eyeing them with complacency. They are given to God, and should be hidden in Him.
Barnes's Matthew 6:3 Bible Commentary
Let not thy left hand know ... - This is a proverbial expression, signifying that the action should be done as secretly as possible. The Hebrews often attribute actions to members which properly belong to persons. The encouragement for performing our acts of charity in secret is that it will be pleasing to God; that he will see the act, however secret it may be, and will openly reward it. If the reward is not granted in this life, it will be in the life to come. In multitudes of cases, however, alms given to the poor are "lent to the Lord" Proverbs 19:17, and will be repaid in this life. Rarely, perhaps never, has it been found that the man who is liberal to the poor has ever suffered by it in his worldly circumstances.
Wesley's Matthew 6:3 Bible Commentary
6:3 Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth - A proverbial expression for doing a thing secretly. Do it as secretly as is consistent, With the doing it at all. With the doing it in the most effectual manner.