2 Corinthians 13:10

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 13:10

Therefore I write these things being absent ,.... Assuring them of his power and authority, expressing his concern for their welfare, earnestly desiring that they might be kept from evil, and perform good works; and that they might be in a more honourable, orderly, and comfortable situation, whilst he was absent from them, and before he came among them: lest, being present, I should use sharpness ; meaning severe reproofs and censures, or rather the exercise of the apostolic rod: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:10

Therefore I write these things - I only threaten you now, by this epistle, to put you on your guard, and lead you to reformation before I visit you that I may not then have to use sharpness, αποτομια , a cutting off, employing thus my apostolical authority to inflict punishment; a power which God has given me, rather to be employed in your edification than in your destruction. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:10

Verse 10 10.According to the power In the first place, he arms the strictness of which he speaks, with the authority of God, that it may not appear to be thunder without lightning, or a rashly excited onset. (970) Farther, he lets them know, that he would rather employ his power to another purpose, for which it was peculiarly designed — the promoting of their edification. “I shall not rashly have recourse to cruel remedies, nor will I give indulgence to my passion, but will simply execute the... 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 13:10

I should use sharpness. The word rendered "sharpness" is an adverb, like our "abruptly" or "precipitately." The only other passage of the New Testament where it occurs is Titus 1:13 ; but the substantive apotomia occurs in Romans 11:22 for "severity." read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:10

Therefore I write these things ... - This is a kind of apology for what he had said, and especially for the apparently harsh language which he had felt himself constrained to use. He had reproved them; he had admonished them of their faults; he had threatened punishment, all of which was designed to prevent the necessity of severe measures when he should be with them.Lest being present I should use sharpness - In order that when I come I may not have occasion to employ severity; see the... 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

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