2 Corinthians 13 7

2 Corinthians 13:7 kjv

Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

2 Corinthians 13:7 nkjv

Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified.

2 Corinthians 13:7 niv

Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong?not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.

2 Corinthians 13:7 esv

But we pray to God that you may not do wrong ? not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.

2 Corinthians 13:7 nlt

We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won't need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come ? even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority.

2 Corinthians 13 verses

2 Corinthians 13 7 Meaning

The Apostle Paul expresses his earnest prayer to God for the Corinthian believers: that they would live righteously and avoid any wrongdoing. His primary motivation is not to receive validation or appear effective in their eyes, but genuinely for their spiritual well-being and moral uprightness. He is willing to seem weak, failed, or lacking approval in their judgment, if it means they themselves prove to be genuine and spiritually sound before God. This reflects his selfless pastoral heart, prioritizing their true spiritual condition over his own reputation or perceived authority.

2 Corinthians 13 7 Context

2 Corinthians 13 marks the culmination of Paul’s passionate and at times agonizing letter to the Corinthian church. Leading up to this verse, Paul has repeatedly defended his apostolic authority, articulated his love and concern for them, and issued stark warnings against ongoing immorality, discord, and challenges to his ministry. Chapter 13 specifically addresses his impending third visit, where he threatens to deal sternly with those who persist in sin, asserting that he will "not spare them." He exhorts them to "examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith" (v. 5), thereby shifting the focus from proving his own apostleship to their need for spiritual self-assessment. Verse 7, therefore, immediately follows this charge, expressing Paul's profound pastoral desire that they might be found truly righteous and morally upright, even if it meant sacrificing his own reputation or appearing less powerful in their eyes. He fears finding them unrepentant and wishes for their spiritual health above all else, indicating a deep-seated desire for their edification, not his own vindication.

2 Corinthians 13 7 Word analysis

• Now we pray (εὐχόμεθα δέ - euchometha de):

  • εὐχόμεθα (euchometha): First person plural, present tense of the verb "to pray" or "to wish, desire." This signifies an ongoing, heartfelt, and earnest petition to God, not just a casual wish. It conveys a deep personal longing on Paul's part.
  • δέ (de): A conjunction often translated as "but" or "and," here it introduces a mild contrast or transition, marking a shift from the discussion of his authority and their self-examination to his humble prayer for them. It underlines his reliance on God for their spiritual transformation.

• to God (τῷ Θεῷ - tō Theō):

  • Clearly indicates the recipient of the prayer. Paul's appeal for the Corinthians' righteousness is not made to them directly, nor is it based on his own power to effect change, but directed towards the divine source of all true transformation and good.

• that you do no wrong (μὴ ποιῆσαι κακόν - mē poiēsai kakon):

  • μὴ (mē): A particle used for prohibitions, "not."
  • ποιῆσαι (poiēsai): Aorist infinitive, "to do" or "to make." This speaks of performing actions.
  • κακόν (kakon): Noun, meaning "evil," "bad," "wrong," "wickedness," or "harm." Paul's initial desire is for their complete abstinence from any form of moral or spiritual transgression. This targets the very issues he had been confronting in Corinth.

• not that we may appear to be approved (οὐχ ἵνα ἡμεῖς δόκιμοι φανῶμεν - ouch hina hēmeis dokimoi phanōmen):

  • οὐχ (ouch): "Not," emphasizing a negative purpose or intention.
  • ἵνα (hina): A conjunction indicating purpose, "in order that," "so that."
  • ἡμεῖς (hēmeis): First person plural pronoun, "we." Paul speaks for himself and his fellow workers.
  • δόκιμοι (dokimoi): Adjective, plural, meaning "tested and approved," "genuine," "sterling," "reliable," "standing the test." This word often referred to metal proven to be pure through testing. Paul states his prayer is not for himself and his team to seem like apostles whose methods or results are validated by the Corinthians' good behavior.
  • φανῶμεν (phanōmen): Subjunctive form of "to appear," "to be seen," "to become evident." This highlights a perception, an outward appearance rather than an inner reality.

• but that you may do what is right (ἀλλ’ ἵνα ὑμεῖς τὸ καλὸν ποιῆτε - all’ hina hymeis to kalon poiēte):

  • ἀλλ’ (all’): "But," indicating a strong contrast to the preceding negative purpose.
  • ἵνα (hina): Again, expressing purpose, "in order that," "so that."
  • ὑμεῖς (hymeis): Second person plural pronoun, "you" (Corinthians), shifting the focus directly to their actions.
  • τὸ καλὸν (to kalon): Refers to "the good," "what is noble," "beautiful," "honorable," or "morally excellent." This is a broad term encompassing all virtuous behavior. It’s not just the absence of wrong but the active pursuit of what is godly.
  • ποιῆτε (poiēte): Present tense, subjunctive of "to do" or "to practice." This indicates a continuous action, a habitual pattern of living righteously.

• even though we may seem to have failed (κἂν ἡμεῖς ὡς ἀδόκιμοι ὦμεν - kan hēmeis hōs adokimoi ōmen):

  • κἂν (kan): A conjunction meaning "even if," "although." It introduces a concession.
  • ἡμεῖς (hēmeis): "We" (Paul and his companions).
  • ὡς (hōs): "As," "like," indicating appearance or semblance, reinforcing "seem."
  • ἀδόκιμοι (adokimoi): The direct opposite of δόκιμοι ("approved"). It means "not approved," "rejected," "disqualified," "worthless after testing." This powerful word shows Paul's willingness to bear their contempt or misunderstanding. If their purity means he looks weak or unsuccessful in applying his apostolic authority (because if they were perfectly obedient, he wouldn't need to demonstrate "severity"), he accepts that perception.
  • ὦμεν (ōmen): Present subjunctive of "to be." This phrase expresses Paul's humble acceptance of a potentially negative perception if it contributes to their genuine spiritual health.

Words-Group analysis:

• "Now we pray... not that we may appear to be approved, but that you may do what is right...": This grouping clearly reveals Paul's selfless pastoral heart. His prayer is focused on their holiness, explicitly contrasting it with any personal desire for validation or status. This demonstrates a core principle of authentic ministry: the minister's focus should be on the spiritual growth of the flock, not their own public image or success metrics. It is an act of spiritual self-renunciation.
• "that you do no wrong... but that you may do what is right": This pair shows a progression from avoiding negative actions (prohibitive) to actively pursuing positive ones (prescriptive). It’s not merely abstaining from sin, but embracing and embodying righteousness, pointing to a holistic call to spiritual living.
• "even though we may seem to have failed": This powerful concession underscores the depth of Paul's love and humility. He is willing to appear discredited or ineffective—to be perceived as "unapproved" in the Corinthian court of public opinion—if that means the Corinthians themselves demonstrate true faith and character. It showcases the upside-down kingdom principle where apparent weakness is true strength (2 Cor 12:9-10).

2 Corinthians 13 7 Bonus section

Paul's acceptance of possibly being perceived as "adokimoi" (failed/disapproved) resonates with the concept of his ministry being a "fragrant aroma of Christ" both to those who are being saved and to those who are perishing, for the latter a "fragrance from death to death" (2 Cor 2:15-16). He understood that his faithfulness to Christ, which demanded humility and a focus on their salvation, would inevitably lead to rejection and criticism from those who valued worldly displays of power. His willingness to appear weak connects to the overarching theme of strength perfected in weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10). The Corinthians sought evidence of Christ's power in him through outward signs, but Paul continually pointed to his suffering and apparent lack of worldly might as the true testament to Christ's working in him and through him, often for the edification of others. His prayer, therefore, isn't a surrender of authority but an ultimate display of its purpose: to lead people to God, even at personal cost.

2 Corinthians 13 7 Commentary

Paul's prayer in 2 Corinthians 13:7 encapsulates the essence of selfless, Christ-like leadership. While facing immense scrutiny and having his apostolic authority challenged, he doesn't pray for vindication, but for the moral and spiritual integrity of his often-wayward flock. His desire is for them to "do no wrong" and "do what is right," highlighting a movement from abstaining from sin to actively living in positive righteousness. Crucially, he frames this within a profound personal humility: he is willing to appear weak, "disapproved," or unsuccessful in their eyes, provided their lives truly reflect God's standard. This willingness to surrender his reputation for their spiritual benefit serves as a poignant reminder that genuine ministry prioritizes the eternal welfare of others over temporary human approval or the display of personal power. It champions the principle that the evidence of effective ministry lies in the spiritual health of the taught, not in the public esteem of the teacher. This posture demonstrates true pastoral love and underscores that the true test of spiritual health is internal and God-ordained, not dependent on external perception.