2 Corinthians 13:8

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but 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 you will realize that we have not failed the test.

7 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.

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

9 In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.

10 This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.