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

6But I expect that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. 7Now 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. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak, but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you become mature. 10For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

2 Corinthians 13:8 word by word

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

• For we cannotοὐou · noG3756
• For we cannotδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
• do anythingτιςtis · oneG5100
• againstκατάkata · according toG2596
• the truthἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 13:8

• 2 Corinthians 13:10For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
• 2 Corinthians 10:8For if I boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,
• Numbers 16:28Then Moses said, “By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these deeds; for it is not my doing.
• 1 Kings 22:28But Micaiah said, “If you actually return safely, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Listen, all you people!”
• 2 Kings 1:9Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he said to him, “You man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’”
• 2 Kings 2:23Now he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the road, some young boys came out from the city and ridiculed him and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead; go up, you baldhead!”
• Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom, no understanding, And no plan against the Lord.
• Proverbs 26:2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not come to rest.
• Mark 9:39But Jesus said, “Do not hinder 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 with new tongues;
• Luke 9:49John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him, because he does not follow along with us.”
• Acts 4:28to do whatever Your hand and purpose predestined to occur.
• Acts 5:1But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
• Acts 13:3Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
• Acts 19:11God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
• 1 Corinthians 5:4In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I 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

• 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