2 Corinthians 13:7

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. I PRAY. 'Aleph (') A B Delta G f g, Vulgate, read 'we pray.' NOT THAT WE SHOULD APPEAR APPROVED - not to gain credit for ourselves by your Christian conduct, but for your good, (Alford). But the antithesis to "reprobates" suggests supplying the ellipsis: ('therefore our aim is) not [ ouch (G3756), objective; but mee (G3361), subjective, in the preceding clause] that we may appear approved,' by your giving us occasion to restrain you when ye do evil; 'but that ye should do what is right' ( kalon (G2570)); here not in general, but right in relation to...

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 blame.” “I am a _reprobate,” _says he, “in the judgment of mankind, who very frequently reject those who are deserving of the highest honor.” (961) At the same time, the particle _as _is not superfluous. For it corresponds with what he says elsewhere — _as deceivers and yet true. _(2 Corinthians 6:8.) And this, certainly, is the true rule

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 to do well; and we should be glad for others to be strong in the grace of Christ, though it may be the means of showing our own weakness. let us also pray that we may be enabled to make a proper use of all our talents....

Verse 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 THAT YE SHOULD DO THAT WHICH IS HONEST_] That ye may do that which is _right_ and _seemly_, το καλον, _though we_ should _be_, in consequence of that, _as reprobates_-as persons _not approved_ of God; because your reformation will _prevent_ the exercise

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 would have ample demonstration that he was endowed by Christ with all the powers appropriate to an apostle, and that all that he had claimed had been well founded, all that he threatened would be executed. But this seemed to imply that he desired that there should be occasion for the exercise of that power of administering discipline; and he, therefore, in this ve

CONCLUDING APPEALS AND EXHORTATIONS, EXPOSITION 2 CORINTHIANS 13:1 THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I AM COMING TO YOU. I have thrice formed the intention, though the second time I had to forego my plan (2 Corinthians 1:15). IN THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES. The quotation is from Deuteronomy 19:15. It has been explained as a reference to _examinations _which he intended to hold on his arrival at Corinth. It is much more probable that St. Paul is representing his separate visits as separate _attestations _to the truths which he preache

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 the people of God in this world, yet is desirable by every good man, both for himself and others; and was desired by the apostle, partly that their consciences might not be wounded, their souls grieved, their peace broke in upon, and their comforts lost; and partly that the name of God, and his cause and truths, might not be blasphemed; and chiefly that he might have no opportunity of exercising his apostolical...

4. STILL ABSENT - YET COMING. THE CONCLUSION. CHAPTER 13 _ 1. Being Absent; Expecting to Come. (2 Corinthians 13:1 .)_ 2. The Conclusion. (2 Corinthians 13:11 .) He speaks in conclusion of his coming to them. “This third time I am coming to you.” And when he comes again he will not spare them. He reminds them once more of their doubtings about Christ speaking in him and using him as an apostle. They themselves were proof of this. If it were that Christ had not spoken to them through him (by preaching the Gospel), then Christ also did not dwell in them. But if Christ really was in them then it was an evidence that Christ had spoken by him. Notice that part of the third verse and the fourth verse are parenthetical. Leaving out the parenthetical words

WARNINGS IN VIEW OF A VISIT. This closing chapter starts from a vivid realisation of that which is only too likely to be the situation when he arrives for the third time. With increased emphasis, and added detail, he reiterates his solemn warning, and with biting irony turns against his adversaries one of the sarcastic demands they level at him. They ask for proof that Christ speaks in him. They shall have it (_cf._ Isaiah 28:9 ff.). Christ will show Himself not weak among them, as they have reckoned His apostle, but powerful for judgment. His experience, dying to reign, will repeat itself in Paul, who has already put this interpretation on his own weakness, that in it he fills up that which is lacking of the sufferings of Christ. Let them examine themselves whether they are truly Christians; let them get back the primal Christian experience, and ascertain whether Christ is really in the...

A WARNING, A WISH, A HOPE AND A BLESSING (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 who is powerful among you. True, he was crucified in weakness, but he is alive by the power of God. Keep testing yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Keep proving yourselves. Or do you not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you--unless in any way you are rejected? But we pray to God that you should do no evi