Amplified Bible
2 Corinthians 13:8
8For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth [and the gospel—the good news of salvation].
2 Corinthians 13:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
- New International Version (NIV)For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Context of 2 Corinthians 13:8
6But I hope you will acknowledge that we do not fail the test nor are we to be rejected. 7But I pray to God that you may do nothing wrong. Not so that we [and our teaching] may appear to be approved, but that you may continue doing what is right, even though we [by comparison] may seem to have failed. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth [and the gospel—the good news of salvation]. 9We are glad when we are weak [since God’s power comes freely through us], but you [by comparison] are strong. We also pray for this, that you be made complete [fully restored, growing and maturing in godly character and spirit—pleasing your heavenly Father by the life you live]. 10For this reason I am writing these things while absent from you, so that when I come, I will not need to deal severely [with you], in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me [to be used] for building you up and not for tearing you down.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 132 Corinthians 13:8 word by word
οὐ γὰρ δυνάμεθά τι κατὰ τῆς ἀληθείας ἀλλ᾽ ὑπὲρ τῆς ἀληθείας.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 13:8
- 2 Corinthians 13:10For this reason I am writing these things while absent from you, so that when I come, I will not need to deal severely [with you], in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me [to be used] for building you up and not for tearing you down.
- 2 Corinthians 10:8For even though I boast rather freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed [of the truth],
- Numbers 16:28Then Moses said, “By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works; for I do not act of my own accord.
- 1 Kings 22:28Micaiah said, “If you indeed return safely, the Lord has not spoken by me.” Then he said, “Listen, all you people.”
- 2 Kings 1:9Then the king sent to Elijah a captain of fifty with his fifty [fighting men to seize the prophet]. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of a hill. And the captain said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’ ”
- 2 Kings 2:23Then Elisha went up from Jericho to Bethel. On the way, young boys came out of the city and mocked him and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”
- Proverbs 21:30There is no [human] wisdom or understanding Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.
- Proverbs 26:2Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving].
- Mark 9:39But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.
- Mark 16:17These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues;
- Luke 9:49John replied, “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name; and we tried to stop him because he does not follow along with us.”
- Acts 4:28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined [before the creation of the world] to occur [and so without knowing it, they served Your own purpose].
- Acts 5:1Now a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
- Acts 13:3Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them [in approval and dedication] and sent them away [on their first journey].
- Acts 19:11God was doing extraordinary and unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
- 1 Corinthians 5:4In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I am with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8For 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8For 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-10Verses 7-10 The most desirable thing we can ask of God, for ourselves and our friends, is to be kept from sin, that we and they may not do evil. We have far more need to pray that we may not do evil, than that we may not suffer evil. The apostle not only desired that they might be kept from sin, but also that they might grow in grace, and increase in holiness. We are earnestly to pray to God for those we caution, that they may cease to do evil, and learn…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-10Despite the problems Paul faced at Corinth, his main goal was clear. He wanted the best for these people, hoping they would become mature and strong. Paul always aimed to improve their well-being, even when he corrected them.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. Our apostolic power is given us that we may use it not against, but for the furtherance of, the truth. Where you are free from fault, there is no scope for its exercise: and this I desire. Far be it from me to use it against the innocent, merely in order to increase my own power (2Co 13:10).Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 13:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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