2 Corinthians 13:8

Contextual Overview

⁷ We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Our concern here is not for people to see that we have passed the test in our work with you. Our main concern is that you do what is right, even if it looks as if we have failed the test. ⁷ But we pray God that you may not do wrong--not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. ⁷ I desyre before God that ye do none evyll not that we shuld seme comendable: but that ye shuld do that which is honest: and let vs be counted as leawde persones. ⁷ Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate. ⁷ Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong; not so that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, though we may appear unapproved. ⁷ We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. It is not important to see that we have passed the test, but it is important that you do what is right, even if it seems we have failed. ⁷ Now we pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we may be as reprobate. ⁷ Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we should be as reprobates. ⁷ But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. ⁷ Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate.

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

Genesis 13:2
Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 13:2
And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 13:2
Abram was very rich in cattle, silver, and gold.

Genesis 13:2
(Now Abram was very wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold.)

Genesis 13:2
And Abram [was] very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 13:2
Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 13:2
Now Abram was extremely rich in livestock and in silver and in gold.

Genesis 13:2
Forsothe he was ful riche in possessyoun of siluer and of gold.

Genesis 13:2
and Abram [is] exceedingly wealthy in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 13:2
And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold.

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.