In these words Jesus did not teach that acts of kindness should always be kept secret. Paul the apostle, writing by the Holy Spirit, did not conceal the generous self-sacrifice of the Macedonian Christians, but told of the grace that Christ had wrought in them, and thus others were imbued with the same spirit. He also wrote to the church at Corinth and said, "Your zeal hath stirred up very many." 2 Corinthians 9:2, R.V.

Med disse ord lærte Jesus ikke, at venlige handlinger altid skulle hemmeligholdes. Apostelen Paulus, der skrev ved Helligånden, lagde ikke skjul på de makedoniske kristnes ædelmodige selvopofrelse, men fortalte om den nåde, Kristus havde virket i dem, og således blev andre grebet af den samme ånd. Han skrev også til menigheden i Korinth og udtalte, at dens nidkærhed havde ægget såre mange. (2Kor. 9,2).