2 Corinthians 13 · Verse 7

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.

2 Corinthians 13:7, King James Version

2 Corinthians 13:7 in other translations

BSB	Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even if we appear to have failed.
WEB	Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we may seem to have failed.
ASV	Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate.
YLT	and I pray before God that ye do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is right, and we may be as disapproved;
DARBY	But we pray to God that ye may do nothing evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do what is right, and we be as reprobates.
BBE	Now our prayer to God is that you may do no evil; not in order that it may be put to our credit, but so that you may do what is right, whatever we may seem.
Webster	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 should be as reprobates.

What does 2 Corinthians 13:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

7. 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 thereby deprived of the occasion for exercising our apostolic power (namely, in punishing), and so may appear "as reprobates" (incapable of affording proof of Christ speaking in us).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 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 2Co 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 verse, removes all suspicion that such was his wish, by saying solemnly, that he prayed to God that they might never do wrong; that they might never give him occasion for the exercise of his power in that way, though as a consequence he would be regarded as a reprobate, or as having no claims to the apostolic office. He would rather be regarded as an impostor, rather lie under the reproach of his enemies that he had no claims to the apostolic character, than that they, by doing wrong, should give him occasion to show that he was not a deceiver.

Not that we should appear approved. My great object, and my main desire, is not to urge my claims to the apostolic office, and clear up my own character; it is that you should lead honest lives, whatever may become of me and my reputation.

Though we be as reprobates. I am willing to be regarded as rejected, disapproved, worthless, like base metal, provided you lead honest and holy lives. I prefer to be so esteemed, and to have you live as becomes Christians, [rather] than that you should dishonour your Christian profession, and thus afford me the opportunity of demonstrating, by inflicting punishment, that I am commissioned by the Lord Jesus to be an apostle. The sentiment is, that a minister of the gospel should desire that his people should walk worthy of their high calling, whatever may be the estimate in which he is held. He should never desire that they should do wrong--how can he do it?--in order that he may take occasion from their wrong-doing to vindicate, in any way, his own character, or to establish a reputation for skill in administering discipline, or in governing a church. What a miserable ambition it is--and as wicked as it is miserable--for a man to wish to take advantage of a state of disorder, or of the faults of others, in order to establish his own character, or to obtain reputation. Paul spurned and detested such a thought; yet it is to be feared it is sometimes, done.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 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 of this power, which would otherwise have given an awful proof that we are approved of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

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

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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Corinthians 13:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εὐχόμεθαeuchomethaWe prayG2172

δὲdenowG1161

πρὸςprostoG4314

τὸνton<the>G3588

θεὸνtheonGodG2316

μὴmēnotG3361

ποιῆσαιpoiēsaito doG4160

ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771

κακὸνkakonwrongG2556

μηδέν,mēdennothing,G3367

οὐχouchnotG3756

ἵναinathatG2443

ἡμεῖςhēmeiswe ourselvesG3165

δόκιμοιdokimoiapprovedG1384

φανῶμεν,phanōmenmay appear,G5316

ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235

ἵναinathatG2443

ὑμεῖςhumeisyou yourselvesG4771

τὸtowhat [is]G3588

καλὸνkalonrightG2570

ποιῆτε,poiētemay do,G4160

ἡμεῖςhēmeiswe ourselvesG3165

δὲdethoughG1161

ὡςhōsasG5613

ἀδόκιμοιadokimoiunapprovedG96

ὦμεν.ōmenmay appear.G1510

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 13:7

James 1:12
Blessed 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 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Timothy 2:2
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
2 Timothy 4:18
And 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.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
And 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.
Philippians 1:9-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
2 Corinthians 6:8-9
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
Romans 16:10
Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.
2 Corinthians 8:21
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
2 Corinthians 10:18
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
1 Corinthians 4:9-13
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

I pray.
9; 1Ch 4:10; Mt 6:13; Joh 17:15; Php 1:9-11; 1Th 5:23; 2Ti 4:18
approved.
6:4; 10:18; Ro 16:10; 1Co 11:19; 2Ti 2:15; Jas 1:12; *Gr:
honest.
8:21; Ro 12:17; 13:13; Php 4:8; 1Ti 2:2; 1Pe 2:12
as reprobates.
6:8,9; 10:10; 1Co 4:9-13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Corinthians 13:6
But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
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.
2 Corinthians 13:8
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 13

2 Corinthians 13:7 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y oramos á Dios que ninguna cosa mala hagáis; no para que nosotros seamos hallados aprobados, mas para que vosotros hagáis lo que es bueno, aunque nosotros seamos como reprobados.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Mais nous prions Dieu que vous ne fassiez aucun mal, non afin que nous, nous paraissions approuvés, mais afin que vous, vous fassiez ce qui est bon, et que nous, nous soyons comme des réprouvés;
German Elberfelder 1871	Wir beten aber zu Gott, daß ihr nichts Böses tun möget; nicht auf daß wir bewährt erscheinen, sondern auf daß ihr tuet, was recht ist, wir aber wie Unbewährte seien.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Oramus autem Deum ut nihil mali faciatis, non ut nos probati appareamus, sed ut vos quod bonum est faciatis: nos autem ut reprobi simus.