2 Corinthians 13:8 Ulasan

In this chapter the apostle threatens to be severe against obstinate sinners, and assigns the reason thereof (Co2 13:1-6); then he makes a suitable prayer to God on the behalf of the Corinthians, with the reasons inducing him thereto (Co2 13:7-10), and concludes his epistle with a valediction and a benediction (Co2 13:11-14).

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 13 In this chapter the apostle continues his resolution to come to the Corinthians, and to threaten with severity the incorrigible among them, giving the reasons of it; prays to God that they might so behave, that there might be no occasion for the exercise of it; and concludes the epistle with very useful exhortations, and hearty wishes of good things to them. He intimates to them again, that he intended this third time to come unto them, when he would not spare them, as they might expect he would not; partly because they had such repeated warnings, reproofs, and admonitions from him, Co2 13:1 and partly because many of them had sinned before, and were stubborn and obstinate, and had not repented, Co2 13:2 as also because they had tempted him, and demanded a proof of his power and authority, and of Christ speaking in him, Co2 13:3 and whereas this sprung from the outward appearance of the apostle, whose bodily presence was weak, he observes to them the instance of Christ himself in human nature, who was crucified through weakness, and yet lives by the power of God; and so he and his fellow ministers were weak like Christ, and for his sake, and yet lived, and should live by the power of God; so that their outward appearance was no proof of their want of the power of Christ in them, Co2 13:4 besides, he directs them to themselves for a proof of it; who upon examination would find, that they were in the faith, and Christ was in them; which was owing to the ministry of the apostle, as a means and instrument; and so they had a proof in themselves of Christ's speaking in the apostle, and being mighty in, and towards them, or else they must be reprobate, injudicious, and disapproved persons, Co2 13:5 but whether they were such persons or not, he was confident that he would not be found such; but would appear to be in the faith, to have Christ in him, and to have power and authority from him, Co2 13:6 however, the apostle's hearty prayer for them was, that they might be kept from evil; and that they might do that which is good, and so be approved of God and men; and there be no occasion to use any severity with them, when he should come among them, Co2 13:7 otherwise he could do nothing against the truth, could not connive at error and sin, but must use the power and authority he had to crush everything of that kind, and defend truth, Co2 13:8 and so far was he from glorying in his power, and priding himself with it, that it was a pleasure to him to have no occasion to make use of it, by which it might seem as if he was without it; and it rejoiced him, when they stood fast in the faith, and walked as became the Gospel, and so needed not the rod of reproof and correction; nay, he could even wish, that they were wholly perfect, and free from all blame, and every kind of charge, Co2 13:9 and the end he had in the writing in the manner he did, being absent from them, was, lest when he should come among them, he should be obliged to make use of his power he had from Christ for edification, and not destruction; to prevent which, he wrote and admonished them, in order to bring them to repentance, that so he might have no occasion to use severity and sharpness, Co2 13:10 and then he takes his farewell of them, by giving them some exhortations to harmony, unity, peace, and love among themselves, Co2 13:11 gives the salutations of all the saints unto them, Co2 13:13 and then his own, with which he concludes the epistle, which is a wish of all the blessings of grace from all the three persons, Father, Son, and Spirit, Co2 13:14.

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.

"For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth." For that he may not seem [merely] to be gratifying them, (for this is what one who was void of vain-glory might do,) but to be doing what the nature of the thing demanded, he added this, "for we can do nothing against the truth." "For if we find you," he says, "in good repute, having driven away your sins by repentance and having boldness towards God; we shall not be able thereafter, were we never so willing, to punish you, but should we attempt it even, God will not work with us. For to this end gave He us our power that the judgment we give should be true and righteous, not contrary to the truth."

Seest thou how in every way he can, he makes what he says void of offensiveness, and softens the harshness of his menace? Moreover as he has eagerly endeavored this, so is he desirous also to show that his mind was quite joined to them.

Paul is saying this because there is no power against the truth. They cannot reprove someone who is living a good life, but only someone who is an enemy of the law. This power will come to nothing if people have done what is good.

In order not to appear to be flattering, he says: I am not at all doing this out of vainglory, that is, I affirm that we will not have the power to punish you when we find you not fallen. Even if we attempt to do this, God will not grant us His help; for He gave us power so that we might pronounce judgment in accordance with the truth, and not against it: for a true judgment is pronounced by the one who punishes the one deserving of punishment; but the one who attempts to punish the one who has not sinned acts against the truth.

That he would lack this power of judging, if they are good, is shown when he says: For we cannot do anything against the truth. As if to say: we do not labor for anything but the truth, and for it we stand. But it is obvious that if we were to punish the innocent, we would be standing against the truth and against justice. Hence, since the Apostle could not do anything against the truth, but for the truth and for justice, it is clear that he will not punish the innocent. It should be noted, according to Augustine in a Gloss [Lombard], that two things are necessary for avoiding sins, namely, free will and God's grace. For if free will were not needed, neither precepts nor prohibitions nor exhortations would ever be given to men; further, punishments would be given in vain. But grace, too, is necessary, because unless God ruled all by his grace, a man could not stand; furthermore, it would be in vain to pray that he not lead us into temptation. Consequently, the Apostle, indicating that both are necessary, prays God to obtain grace, and advises that they withdraw from evil with their free will, and do good; hence he says, we pray, as to the first, that you may not do wrong, as to the second.

The apostle again says that this is the third time he has purposed to come and see them; and threatens that he will, by the power of Christ, punish every incorrigible sinner, Co2 13:1-4. Exhorts them to examine themselves, whether they be in the faith, Co2 13:5, Co2 13:6. Prays that they may do no evil, Co2 13:7. And shows how ardently he wished their complete restoration to unity and purity, Co2 13:8, Co2 13:9. Tells them for what reason he writes to them, Co2 13:10. Bids them farewell, Co2 13:11, Gives them some directions, and concludes with his apostolical benediction, Co2 13:12-14.

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth - As we are the apostles of God, we cannot bring to you any false doctrine; and, as we profess to be under the influence of God's Spirit, we cannot do any thing that is opposed to that truth, or which might be prejudicial to it. On the contrary, what we say and do is for that truth, to propagate and establish it. The Gospel of Jesus is truth; and my testimony concerning it is truth also. In my coming, and in my rod, you have nothing to fear, if you retain and abide in this truth.

HE THREATENS A SEVERE PROOF OF HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY, BUT PREFERS THEY WOULD SPARE HIM THE NECESSITY FOR IT. (Co2 13:1-14) This is the third time I am coming to you--not merely preparing to come to you. This proves an intermediate visit between the two recorded in Act 18:1; Act 20:2. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established--Quoted from Deu 19:15, Septuagint. "I will judge not without examination, nor will I abstain from punishing upon due evidence" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. I will no longer be among you "in all patience" towards offenders (Co2 12:12). The apostle in this case, where ordinary testimony was to be had, does not look for an immediate revelation, nor does he order the culprits to be cast out of the church before his arrival. Others understand the "two or three witnesses" to mean his two or three visits as establishing either (1) the truth of the facts alleged against the offenders, or (2) the reality of his threats. I prefer the first explanation to either of the two latter.

Our apostolic power is given us that we may use it not against, but for the furtherance of, the truth. Where you are free from fault, there is no scope for its exercise: and this I desire. Far be it from me to use it against the innocent, merely in order to increase my own power (Co2 13:10).