SEV Biblia, Chapter 13:7
¶ Pero oramos a Dios que ninguna cosa mala hagis; no para que nosotros seamos hallados aprobados, sino para que vosotros hagis lo que es bueno, aunque nosotros seamos tenidos por reprobados.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:7
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, to kalon, 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. Now l pray to God , etc..] A strong mark of the apostle's affection for them. For though they used him so ill, he took every way and method to do them good; he not only wrote to them, sent the brethren to them, but put up his supplications at the throne of grace for them: The Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, and Ethiopic versions, read, we pray, etc.. And one of his petitions for them was, that ye do no evil ; which, though impracticable and impossible, considering the situation of the people of God in this world, yet is desirable by every good man, both for himself and others; and was desired by the apostle, partly that their consciences might not be wounded, their souls grieved, their peace broke in upon, and their comforts lost; and partly that the name of God, and his cause and truths, might not be blasphemed; and chiefly that he might have no opportunity of exercising his apostolical rod for their correction: not that we should appear approved . This was a clear case that he sought their good, and not his own credit, and the exercise of power; if they committed evil, his faithfulness would be seen in reproving, rebuking, and exhorting them; and if they continued impenitent, his apostolical authority would be manifest in their punishment, so that he would appear approved, or with a proof of the power of Christ in him; but this he did not desire, but most earnestly wished there might be no occasion for any such evidence: but that they should do that which is honest ; or good, both in the sight of God and men, that which is according to the will of God, springs from love, is done in faith, and with a view to the glory of God; and the apostle's praying, both that they might be kept from evil, and do that which is good, shows the impotence of man's free will, the necessity of the grace of God to abstain from sin, and perform good works; and this the apostle earnestly desired, though , says be, we be as reprobates ; weak and infirm persons, incapable of giving any proof of the power of Christ, and appear as such, who have no marks of apostolical authority. The apostle chose rather to be looked upon as a poor, mean, and insignificant person, than that they should sin, and require the exercise of his chastising rod, whereby he would be seen to be what they called in question.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-10 - The most desirable thing we can ask of God, for ourselves and ou 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 ma not suffer evil. The apostle not only desired that they might be kep 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, tha they may cease to do evil, and learn to do well; and we should be gla 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.
Greek Textus Receptus
ευχομαι 2172 5736 V-PNI-1S δε 1161 CONJ προς 4314 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM θεον 2316 N-ASM μη 3361 PRT-N ποιησαι 4160 5658 V-AAN υμας 5209 P-2AP κακον 2556 A-ASN μηδεν 3367 A-ASN ουχ 3756 PRT-N ινα 2443 CONJ ημεις 2249 P-1NP δοκιμοι 1384 A-NPM φανωμεν 5316 5652 V-2APS-1P αλλ 235 CONJ ινα 2443 CONJ υμεις 5210 P-2NP το 3588 T-ASN καλον 2570 A-ASN ποιητε 4160 5725 V-PAS-2P ημεις 2249 P-1NP δε 1161 CONJ ως 5613 ADV αδοκιμοι 96 A-NPM ωμεν 5600 5753 V-PXS-1P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Not that we should appear approved, etc. The sense of the verse is this: We pray God that you do no evil, not in order that your good conduct may attest the excellence of our teaching and example, so that we shall be approved; but in order that you may do what is good, thus rendering it impossible for us to prove our apostolic authority by administering discipline. In that case we shall be as men unapproved. Stanley remarks that, in the light of this verse, Paul might have added to ch. vi. 9, as without proof and yet as aprroved.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
13:7 {Though we be as reprobate} (hemeis de hws adokimoi wmen). Literally, "And that" (hina de). Paul wishes them to do no wrong (kakon meden). He has no desire to exercise his apostolic authority and "appear approved" (dokimoi fanwmen, second aorist passive subjunctive of fainw). He had far rather see them do "the noble thing" (to kalon) even if it should make him appear disapproved after all that he has said.
