2 Corinthians 13:7-10 (WEL) Now I pray to God that you will not do any evil, not for the purpose of our appearing successful, but that you should do what is right even though it looks like we are failures. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, only for the truth. 9 For we are happy when we are weak, and you are strong. We also pray for your complete restoration. 10 Therefore, since I am absent, I write these things, lest when present I might be too sharp, according to the authority which the Lord has given to me for edification but not for destruction.
V7 Now I pray to God that you will not do any evil, not for the purpose of our appearing successful, but that you should do what is right even though it looks like we are failures.
Paul pleads with them to do what is right instead of what is wrong. He doesn’t want to come to them and apply his apostolic authority. He would rather appear as a failure. We are not to be Christians with a facade of success in the faith but to do what is right if it appears we are failures.
Comments:
(Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary) “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”).”
(Holman Commentary) “To clarify his motivations, Paul told the Corinthians that he pray[ed] to God that they would not do anything wrong. He hoped they would respond properly to his instructions. Although the Corinthians were responsible to obey and to remain faithful to Christ, Paul knew that only divine power could enable them to do so (Phil. 2:12-13).
“The apostle’s primary desire was not that the Corinthians would vindicate his reputation, but that they would do what was right even though in the eyes of his opponents he might seem to have failed. From the perspective of human wisdom so deeply cherished by many Corinthians, Paul was not very impressive, and perhaps would appear to have failed. He exhorted the church to conform to his instructions, despite what others said about him, so they might do what was right and pleasing to God. Paul stated that he and his company could not do anything against the truth.”
V8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, only for the truth.
The truth of God’s word is the absolute final written standard of life in everything. We can fight truth with lies, but the truth does not change. God’s standard is the truth and should be followed. Pragmatism is reasonable but not a substitute for the truth. We must do truth because God is truth (Psalm 31:5 and Isaiah 65:16).
Paul wants the Corinthian believers to know Paul and his team are true Christians, which is the truth. Since they were obedient to the truth, they can do nothing against it except remain loyal to it. Jesus Christ is the truth (John 14:6), and we are His disciples.
Constable writes: “Paul could not bring himself to do anything that would harm “the truth,” even to vindicate himself. Promoting the truth (i.e., the gospel) was his great ambition, even if it meant that some regarded him as a false apostle (“though we may appear unapproved,” v. 7). This acting for the truth included judging the Corinthians if necessary (v. 2).”
V9 For we are happy when we are weak, and you are strong. We also pray for your complete restoration.
The motive is love and the goal is to build them up in the faith of the Lord Jesus. Paul wants them to be strong—strongly dedicated, loyal, faithful, steadfast in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.
Today, having the complete Word of God (Bible), we have the necessary food to build, heal, and strengthen our faith. Compare 1 Peter 2:2.
The Word of God from the Psalms
- Psalm 17:4—keeps us from the destroyer
- Psalm 18:30—tested and proven
- Psalm 33:4—right as opposed to wrong
- Psalm 33:6—powerful enough to create anything from nothing (creation)
- Psalm 89:34—must not be changed by false interpretational methods, frameworks, or definitions
- Psalm 103:20—must be obeyed, just like the holy angels do
- Psalm 119:9—cleanse us and keep us from being defiled
- Psalm 119:11—memorized to always have it with us and for the Holy Spirit to bring it to mind so we will do what is right
- Psalm 119:16—the Bible is a delight and joy to the soul
- Psalm 119:42—completely trustworthy
- Psalm 119:50—gives life
- Psalm 119:58—shows God’s mercy
- Psalm 119:74—a source of hope
- Psalm 119:89—unmovable, is true whatever the situation
- Psalm 119:105—enlightens me, that is, helps me to know the truth, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom
- Psalm 119:140—pure without any contamination of lies, falsehood, or ignorant information
- Psalm 119:160—perfect and complete truth
- Psalm 119:162—a source for rejoicing; it brings joy and hope
- Psalm 119:169—gives understanding
- Psalm 119:172—is righteousness
V10 Therefore, since I am absent, I write these things, lest when present I might be too sharp, according to the authority which the Lord has given to me for edification but not for destruction.
Paul hopes that the Corinthians will correct themselves to what Paul taught them and wrote to them already. He hopes that they will be such so that when he comes, he will not have to speak sharply to them to correct their attitudes and life.
Paul does have Apostolic authority. This authority is not earned, learned, or inherited. It is a gift and commission of God.
We learn:
- Truth is important to God and thus to us.
- The upmost importance of the Scriptures.
Questions:
- How truthful are you?
- Do you live the truth as a Christian just when things are safe?