2 Corinthians 13:7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

Here we have, I. The apostle's prayer to God on the behalf of the Corinthians, that they might do no evil, 2 Cor. 13:7. This is the most desirable thing we can ask of God, both for ourselves and for our friends, to be kept from sin, that we and they may do no evil; and it is most needful that we often pray to God for his grace to keep us, because without this we cannot keep ourselves. We are more concerned to pray that we may not do evil than that we may not suffer evil. II. The reasons why... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:1-14

13 For the third time I am coming to you. Everything will be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses. To those who have already sinned and to all others I have already said, and I now say, just as I said it when I was with you on my second visit, now I say it while I am absent, that if I come to you again, I will not spare you. I will take decisive action because you are looking for a proof that Christ really is speaking in me, Christ who is not weak where you are concerned, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:7

Now l pray to God ,.... A strong mark of the apostle's affection for them. For though they used him so ill, he took every way and method to do them good; he not only wrote to them, sent the brethren to them, but put up his supplications at the throne of grace for them: The Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, and Ethiopic versions, read, "we pray", &c.; And one of his petitions for them was, that ye do no evil ; which, though impracticable and impossible, considering the situation of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:7

I 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 punishment on the transgressors. But... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:7

Verse 7 7.I desire before God. Again he declares, that he cares nothing for his own honor, but is simply desirous of promoting their advantage. For nothing was so undesirable for them, as to deprive themselves of advantage from his doctrine — as they had begun to do, through their pride and contempt. “As to myself,” says he, “for my reputation among men, I am not concerned. My only fear is, lest you should offend God. Nay more, I am prepared to be as a reprobate, provided you are free from all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:1-14

Paul's epistolary farewell to the Corinthians. "This is the third time I am coming to you, etc. This chapter concludes Paul's letters to the Corinthians. There is no evidence that he wrote a word to them after this. The letters had evidently been a task to him. To a man of his tender nature no duty could be more painful than that of censure and reproach. Nothing but a sense of loyalty to the holiness of Christianity could have urged him to it. no doubt he felt a burden rolled from his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:7

Approved ( dokimoi ) . The opposite of "reprobates." Though we be as reprobates; rather, [ I pray ] that ye may do what is excellent, and that we may be as reprobates. This is one of the intense expressions which, like Romans 9:3 , spring from the earnest and passionate unselfishness of St. Paul. His anxiety is for them, not at all for himself. As reprobates; i.e. in the judgment of men (comp. Romans 9:3 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:7

Now 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 abundantly to punish the disobedient. They... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

2 Corinthians 13:7-10. Now I pray God that ye do no evil To give me occasion of showing my apostolical power; not that we should appear approved I desire not to appear approved by miraculously punishing you; but that ye may do that which is honest Το καλον , that which is beautiful, amiable, and good; though we should be as if we were disapproved Having no occasion to give that proof of our apostleship. For we can do nothing against the truth Neither against that which is... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:1-14

Final appeal for order (13:1-14)As he writes, Paul is already on his way to Corinth. He therefore repeats his former warning that if the Corinthians do not discipline the trouble-makers among them, he will be forced to discipline them himself when he arrives. He will determine the truth of matters not according to gossip but according to evidence that can be tested (13:1-2). They have wanted proof of Paul’s Christ-given authority, but when they see it in action among them, they will be sorry.... read more