2 Corinthians 13:8

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

6Now I hope that ye will know that we are not reprobates. 7But we pray to God that ye may do nothing evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do what is right, and we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9For we rejoice when we may be weak and ye may be powerful. But this also we pray for, your perfecting. 10On this account I write these things being absent, that being present I may not use severity according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for overthrowing.

2 Corinthians 13:8 word by word

οὐ γὰρ δυνάμεθά τι κατὰ τῆς ἀληθείας ἀλλ᾽ ὑπὲρ τῆς ἀληθείας.Read the interlinear

• truthἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 13:8

• 2 Corinthians 13:10On this account I write these things being absent, that being present I may not use severity according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for overthrowing.
• 2 Corinthians 10:8For and if I should boast even somewhat more abundantly of our authority, which the Lord has given [to us] for building up and not for your overthrowing, I shall not be put to shame;
• Numbers 16:28And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that Jehovah has sent me to do all these deeds, for they are not out of my own heart:
• 1 Kings 22:28And Micah said, If thou return at all in peace, Jehovah has not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O peoples, all of you!
• 2 Kings 1:9And he sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold, he sat on the top of the mount. And he spoke to him: Man of God, the king says, Come down!
• 2 Kings 2:23And he went up from thence to Bethel, and as he went up by the way, there came forth little boys out of the city, and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, bald head; go up, bald head!
• Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
• Proverbs 26:2As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
• Mark 9:39But Jesus said, Forbid him not; for there is no one who shall do a miracle in my name, and be able soon [after] to speak ill of me;
• Mark 16:17And these signs shall follow those that have believed: in my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
• Luke 9:49And John answering said, Master, we saw some one casting out demons in thy name, and we forbad him, because he follows not with us.
• Acts 4:28to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel had determined before should come to pass.
• Acts 5:1But a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
• Acts 13:3Then, having fasted and prayed, and having laid [their] hands on them, they let [them] go.
• Acts 19:11And God wrought no ordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
• 1 Corinthians 5:4[to deliver,] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (ye and my spirit being gathered together, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ), him that has so wrought this:

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

• Holiness
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Examine
• Prove
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle

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