2 Corinthians 13:8; We Can Do Nothing Against the Truth

2 Corinthians 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

Matthew Poole said well, “Truth in this place notes integrity of life and conversation; truth in action, opposed to hypocrisy, or scandalous living. He had before prayed, that they might do no evil; which if they did not, they need not fear his coming with a rod; for though he had a power from Christ to punish, yet he had no power to punish such as did well; his power was to be used for them, not against them. As the law was not made for the righteous, and the civil magistrate is not ordained of God for the terror of those that do well, but only of those that do evil; so neither did Christ ever ordain ecclesiastical censures for the punishment of good and holy men. And indeed here is the just boundary of all civil and ecclesiastical power; no magistrate or minister, acting as Christ’s servants, can (lawfully, or as by any commission from him) do any thing against the truth, or those that own, defend, and practise it; the power with which they are trusted is for edification, not destruction.”

MacDonald observed similarly, “Paul is saying that all they do must be done with a view to the furtherance of the truth of God, and not with any selfish motives in view. Even in the matter of discipline, no thought of personal vindictiveness must enter. All must be carried out with a view to the glory of God and the good of one’s fellow Christians.”

Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. Amen.