God’s Word Translation
2 Corinthians 13:8
8We can’t do anything against the truth but only to help the truth.
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
6I hope that you will realize that we haven’t failed the test. 7We pray to God that you won’t do anything wrong. It’s not that we want to prove that we’ve passed the test. Rather, we want you to do whatever is right, even if we seem to have failed. We can’t do anything against the truth but only to help the truth. 9We’re glad when we are weak and you are strong. We are also praying for your improvement. 10That’s why I’m writing this letter while I’m not with you. When I am with you I don’t want to be harsh by using the authority that the Lord gave me. The Lord gave us this authority to help you, not to hurt you.
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 13:10That’s why I’m writing this letter while I’m not with you. When I am with you I don’t want to be harsh by using the authority that the Lord gave me. The Lord gave us this authority to help you, not to hurt you.
- 2 Corinthians 10:8So, if I brag a little too much about the authority which the Lord gave us, I’m not ashamed. The Lord gave us this authority to help you, not to hurt you.
- Numbers 16:28Moses said, “This is how you will know that the Lord sent me to do all these things and that it wasn’t my idea:
- 1 Kings 22:28Micaiah said, “If you really do come back safely, then the Lord wasn’t speaking through me. Pay attention to this, everyone!”
- 2 Kings 1:9The king sent an army officer with 50 men to Elijah. When the officer found Elijah sitting on top of a hill, he told Elijah, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’ ”
- 2 Kings 2:23From there he went to Bethel. As he walked along the road, some boys came out of the city and mocked him. They said, “Go away, baldy! Go away!”
- Proverbs 21:30No wisdom, no understanding, and no advice ⌞can stand up⌟ against the Lord.
- Proverbs 26:2Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so a hastily spoken curse does not come to rest.
- Mark 9:39Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! No one who works a miracle in my name can turn around and speak evil of me.
- Mark 16:17“These are the miraculous signs that will accompany believers: They will use the power and authority of my name to force demons out of people. They will speak new languages.
- Luke 9:49John replied, “Master, we saw someone forcing demons out of a person by using the power and authority of your name. We tried to stop him because he was not one of us.”
- Acts 4:28Through your will and power, they did everything that you had already decided should be done.
- Acts 5:1A man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold some property.
- Acts 13:3After fasting and praying, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul, and released them ⌞from their work in Antioch⌟.
- Acts 19:11God worked unusual miracles through Paul.
- 1 Corinthians 5:4When you have gathered together, I am with you in spirit. Then, in the name of our Lord Jesus, and with his power,
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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