2 Corinthians 13:7 - Meaning and Application

Here we have the apostle’s prayer to God for the Corinthians, that they might do no evil (2 Corinthians 13:7). This is one of the best things we can ask from God for ourselves and for our friends, that he would keep us from sin. We need to pray often for his grace to guard us, because we cannot keep ourselves. We should be more concerned to ask that we not do evil than that we not suffer evil.

Paul then explains why he makes this prayer for them, and his reasons fit their situation and the issues he has been discussing. He says it was not mainly for his own reputation, but for the honor of religion: “Not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is right” (2 Corinthians 13:7). Even if he was blamed and treated as if he were unworthy, his concern was that the gospel would be respected. Faithful ministers most want the gospel they preach to be honored, even if people speak against them. The best way to give honor to our holy faith is to live in a way that is honest, decent, and fitting for the gospel of Christ.

Another reason was that they might be free from blame when he came to them. He says in effect that he can do nothing against the truth, only for the truth (2 Corinthians 13:8). If they were not doing evil and were not acting against their Christian profession, then he would have no right to punish them. He had already said that the authority the Lord gave him was for building up, not tearing down (2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10). So, although Paul had real authority for the good of the gospel, he could not use it in any way that opposed the truth or discouraged those who obeyed it. He could not do this, meaning he would not do it and had no command from Christ to do it. He even rejoices in this good limitation: “We are glad when we are weak and you are strong” (2 Corinthians 13:9). That is, he is glad when he has no power to punish those who are strong in faith and fruitful in good works. Others take him to mean that, though he is weak through suffering and contempt, he bears it gladly while he sees them strong in holiness and steady in good works.

He also desired their perfection (2 Corinthians 13:9), meaning that they would be sincere and press on toward full maturity, since sincerity is the perfection the gospel calls for. Or he may mean that he wanted a full reform among them. He wanted more than that they be kept from sin. He also wanted them to grow in grace, increase in holiness, and have whatever was wrong among them corrected. This was the great purpose of writing this letter. He was willing to speak plainly while absent so that, when present, he would not have to be severe (2 Corinthians 13:10). That is, he did not want to go to the farthest limits of the authority the Lord had given him as an apostle, the authority to deal with every act of disobedience (2 Corinthians 10:6).