Therefore [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.
Ver. 13. Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid] But they were much mistaken in their aims: this matter was not malleable. Nehemiah was a man of another spirit, of a Caleb-like spirit; he was fide armatus, Deo armatus, soldier by faith and for God, and therefore undaunted; he was full of spiritual mettle, for he knew whom he had trusted.
And do so, and sin] Nehemiah feared nothing but sin, and the fruit thereof, shame and reproach, so great was his spirit, so right set were both his judgment and affections. But if anything would have drawn him aside from the straight ways of the Lord, base fear was the likeliest; as we see in David at Gath, and Peter in the high priest's hall. See Zephaniah 3:13, See Trapp on " Zep 3:13 " Pessimus in dubiis augur Timor.
And that they might have matter for an evil report] This wicked men watch for, as a dog doth for a bone; and if they get but the least hint, oh how happy do they hold themselves! what wide mouths do they open! &c. It is our part, therefore (by a Nehemiah-like conversation), to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, who, like blackamoors, despise beauty; like dogs, bark at the shining of the moon. Of Luther it was said by Erasmus, Nec hostes reperiant quod calumnientur. Of Bishop Hooper it is said, that his life was so good that no kind of slander (although divers went about to reprove it) could fasten any fault upon him (Act. and Mon. 1366). The like is reported of Bradford and Bucer. We should so carry ourselves, ut nemo de nobis maleloqui absque mendacio possit, as Jerome hath it, that none might speak evil of us without a manifest lie.