2 Corinthians 13:8

8 For we are not able [to do] anything against the truth, but rather [only] for the truth.

2 Corinthians 13:8 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 13:8

For we can do nothing against the truth
The apostles had no power, nor could they, nor did they desire to exercise any against such who received the truth of the Gospel in the love of it; who continued in it, walked in it, and held it fast; who worshipped God in Spirit and in truth, and who walked uprightly, and as became the truth; for as the law is not made for such persons, but the reverse, so the authority the apostles had received from Christ was not to be exercised upon such:

but for the truth:
for the sake of defending the truth against those that dropped, denied, and opposed it; and for the honour of it, by chastising, correcting, reproving, censuring, and punishing such, who either contradicted it, or caused it to be blasphemed and spoken evil of.

2 Corinthians 13:8 In-Context

6 And I hope that you will recognize that we are not unqualified!
7 Now we pray to God that you not do wrong in any way, not that we are seen as approved, but that you do what is good, even [though] we are [seen] as though unqualified.
8 For we are not able [to do] anything against the truth, but rather [only] for the truth.
9 For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong, and we pray for this: your maturity.
10 Because of this, I am writing these [things] [although I] am absent, in order that [when I] am present I may not have to act severely according to the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.