V.1-5 Trouble among these very workers. Greed is a terrible sin.
V.6-13 Nehemiah is angry about this, and speaks very sharply, and makes them promise to restore and set right, that which they had taken wrongfully. His words of rebuke had their effect, and the guilty ones promise to restore all.
V.14-16 Nehemiah himself sets a good example of faithfulness and unselfishness. If we wish to encourage others to please the Lord, it will not have much result unless we ourselves are living as we should. Nehemiah says “because of the fear of the Lord.”
V.17-19 Nehemiah cared for his people and even for the heathen! Selfishness is hateful to the Lord. If we really love the people of God, there are plenty of opportunities to show it.