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Read the Bible

Simplified Cowboy Version

2 Corinthians 13:8

We can't go against what is true. We stick to the truth, that's all.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Holiness;   Zeal, Religious;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Truth;   Holman Bible Dictionary - 2 Corinthians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Truth;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Corinthians, Second Epistle to the;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for April 4;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
For we can’t do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
King James Version (1611)
For wee can doe nothing against the trueth, but for the trueth.
King James Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
English Standard Version
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
New American Standard Bible
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
New Century Version
We cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Amplified Bible
For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth [and the gospel—the good news of salvation].
New American Standard Bible (1995)
For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
Legacy Standard Bible
For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
Berean Standard Bible
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Contemporary English Version
All we can do is to follow the truth and not fight against it.
Complete Jewish Bible
For we cannot act against the truth, only for it.
Darby Translation
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Easy-to-Read Version
We cannot do anything that is against the truth but only what promotes the truth.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For wee can not doe any thing against the trueth, but for the trueth.
George Lamsa Translation
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but for the truth.
Good News Translation
For we cannot do a thing against the truth, but only for it.
Lexham English Bible
For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but rather only for the truth.
Literal Translation
For we cannot have any power against the truth, but on behalf of the truth.
American Standard Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Bible in Basic English
Because we are able to do nothing against what is true, but only for it.
Hebrew Names Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
International Standard Version
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Etheridge Translation
For we are not able to do any thing against the truth, but for the truth.
Murdock Translation
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but [fn] for the truth.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For we can do nothyng agaynst the trueth: but for the trueth.
English Revised Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
World English Bible
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Weymouth's New Testament
For we have no power against the truth, but only for the furtherance of the truth;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For we moun no thing ayens treuthe, but for the treuthe.
Update Bible Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Webster's Bible Translation
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
New English Translation
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth.
New King James Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
New Living Translation
For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.
New Life Bible
We cannot work against the truth of God. We only work for it.
New Revised Standard
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth;
Douay-Rheims Bible
For we can do nothing against the truth: but for the truth.
Revised Standard Version
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
We can do no thinge agaynst the trueth but for the trueth.
Young's Literal Translation
for we are not able to do anything against the truth, but for the truth;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For we maye do nothinge agaynst ye trueth, but for ye trueth.
Mace New Testament (1729)
for I can employ no power against the truth, but for the truth.

Contextual Overview

7We pray that y'all will not refuse correction. I hope we have no need to exercise the authority we've been given when we get there. Please, do the right thing and fix what needs fixing so we don't have to when we arrive. I don't even care if it looks like we failed. If it gets fixed, that's all that matters. 8We can't go against what is true. We stick to the truth, that's all. 9We'll gladly appear weak if it makes y'all strong. Your growth is all we care about. 10Again, I'm writing all of this before I get there so y'all will have time to fix things. I don't want to get there and immediately start punishing people. I have the authority, but I want to use it to make you better cowboys, not tear you down. But the choice is yours, not mine.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

2 Corinthians 13:10, 2 Corinthians 10:8, Numbers 16:28-35, 1 Kings 22:28, 2 Kings 1:9-13, 2 Kings 2:23-25, Proverbs 21:30, Proverbs 26:2, Mark 9:39, Mark 16:17-19, Luke 9:49-56, Acts 4:28-30, Acts 5:1-11, Acts 13:3-12, Acts 19:11-17, 1 Corinthians 5:4, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Timothy 1:20, Hebrews 2:3, Hebrews 2:4

Reciprocal: John 15:5 - can 2 Corinthians 7:9 - that ye 2 Corinthians 13:9 - when

Cross-References

Matthew 5:9
God takes mighty good care of those who don't make trouble for anyone, for he's gonna claim them as his own sons.
Acts 7:26
The next day, Moses came across two Israelite men who were fighting. He broke it up and said, 'Men, why do y'all try to hurt each other? Y'all are brothers and should be looking out for each other.'
Romans 12:10
Let there be no deception in your love for others. Be authentic like cowboys should.
Philippians 2:14
Do everything without whining or bickering.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
I don't need to repeat myself about loving and looking out for each other. God himself is the author and giver of the love y'all have.
Hebrews 12:14
Get along to the best of your ability with everyone and don't give up riding for the Lord. Those who don't ride for him won't see him.
Hebrews 13:1
Keep on loving others as if they were your own brother or sister.
1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have been made pure through doing what God has told you to do, you will be able to love others like you're supposed to. Love each other with all you've got—hold nothing back.
1 Peter 2:17
Show respect to everyone and love others, especially the crew who rides for God. Respect God and respect the king.
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, y'all should all be like-minded. Take care of each other. Be humble and tender.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For we can do nothing against the truth,.... The apostles had no power, nor could they, nor did they desire to exercise any against such who received the truth of the Gospel in the love of it; who continued in it, walked in it, and held it fast; who worshipped God in Spirit and in truth, and who walked uprightly, and as became the truth; for as the law is not made for such persons, but the reverse, so the authority the apostles had received from Christ was not to be exercised upon such:

but for the truth: for the sake of defending the truth against those that dropped, denied, and opposed it; and for the honour of it, by chastising, correcting, reproving, censuring, and punishing such, who either contradicted it, or caused it to be blasphemed and spoken evil of.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For we - That is, we the apostles.

Can do nothing against the truth ... - That is, we who are under the influence of the Spirit of God; who have been commissioned by him as apostles, can do nothing that shall be against the great system of truth which we are appointed to promulgate and defend. You need, therefore, apprehend no partial or severe discipline from us; no unjust construction of your conduct. Our aim is to promote the truth, and to do what is right; and we cannot, therefore, by any regard to our own reputation, or to any personal advantage, do what is wrong, or countenance, or desire what is wrong in others. We must wish that which is right to be done by others, whatever may be the effect on us - whether we are regarded as apostles or deceivers. I suppose, therefore, that this verse is designed to qualify and confirm the sentiment in the previous verse, that Paul meant to do only right; that he wished all others to do right; and that whatever might be the effect on his own reputation, or however he might be regarded, he could not go against the great system of gospel truth which he preached, or even desire that others should ever do wrong, though it might in any way be for his advantage. It was a fixed principle with him to act only in accordance with truth; to do what was right.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 13:8. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. — As we are the apostles of God, we cannot bring to you any false doctrine; and, as we profess to be under the influence of God's Spirit, we cannot do any thing that is opposed to that truth, or which might be prejudicial to it. On the contrary, what we say and do is for that truth, to propagate and establish it. The Gospel of Jesus is truth; and my testimony concerning it is truth also. In my coming, and in my rod, you have nothing to fear, if you retain and abide in this truth.


 
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