2 Corinthians 13:7

2 Corinthians 13:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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 be as reprobates.
• New International Version (NIV)Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified.

Context of 2 Corinthians 13:7

5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 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 be as reprobates. 8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

2 Corinthians 13:7 word by word

εὐχόμεθα δὲ πρὸς τὸν θεὸν μὴ ποιῆσαι ὑμᾶς κακὸν μηδέν, οὐχ ἵνα ἡμεῖς δόκιμοι φανῶμεν, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα ὑμεῖς τὸ καλὸν ποιῆτε, ἡμεῖς δὲ ὡς ἀδόκιμοι ὦμεν.Read the interlinear

• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• I prayεὔχομαιeuchomai · to pray/wish forG2172
• toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• Godὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• thatποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• yeσύsu · youG4771
• ·μήmē · notG3361
• noμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367
• evilκακόςkakos · evil/harm: evilG2556
• notοὐou · noG3756
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• should appearφαίνωphainō · to shine/appearG5316
• approvedδόκιμοςdokimos · testedG1384
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• is honestκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
• beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• reprobatesἀδόκιμοςadokimos · failingG96

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 13:7

• 2 Corinthians 13:9For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
• 1 Chronicles 4:10And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
• Matthew 6:13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
• John 17:15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
• Philippians 1:9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
• 1 Thessalonians 5:23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 2 Timothy 4:18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
• 2 Corinthians 10:18For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
• Romans 16:10Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.
• 1 Corinthians 11:19For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
• 2 Timothy 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• James 1:12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
• 2 Corinthians 8:21Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
• Romans 12:17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
• Romans 13:13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7I pray to God that ye do no evil - That ye do not persist in that course which will oblige me to use the power of Christ, with which I am endued, to punish you. Some apply this prayer to the apostle himself: Now I pray to God that I may do You no evil - that I may not be obliged to use my apostolic rod, and inflict evil upon you. Not that we should appear approved - We do not wish to give this proof that we are approved of God, by inflicting this…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7Now I pray to God that ye do no evil - I earnestly desire that you may do right, and only right; and I beseech God that it may be so, whatever may be the result in regard to me, and whatever may be thought of my claims to the apostolic office. This is designed to mitigate the apparent severity of the sentiment in 2 Corinthians 13:6. There he had said that they would find him fully endowed with the power of an apostle. They would see that he was able…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. 7that you will not do anything wrong: They would do wrong by following the false teachers who had appeared (11:5, 13–15; see study note on 10:1–13:13). even if we appear to have failed: Paul’s goal in ministry is to be faithful, not to seem successful (1 Corinthians 4:2). He modeled his service on Jesus Christ himself (2 Corinthians 13:4), who seemed weak and a failure by dying on the cross. But Jesus is now victorious as he lives by God's mighty power.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. I pray--The oldest manuscripts read, "we pray." not that we should appear approved--not to gain credit for ourselves, your ministers, by your Christian conduct; but for your good [Alford]. The antithesis to "reprobates" leads me to prefer explaining with Bengel, "We do not pray that we may appear approved," by restraining you when ye do evil; "but that ye should do what is right" (English Version, "honest"). though we be as reprobates--though we be…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 13:7

• Commandments
• Holiness
• Intercession
• Reprobacy
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Examine
• Prove
• Reprobate
• Cast
• Castaway
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Good

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