2 Corinthians 13:7

“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…”

“I pray--The oldest manuscripts read, "we pray." not that we should appear approved--not to gain credit for ourselves, your ministers, by your Christian conduct; but for your good [ALFORD]. The antithesis to "reprobates" leads me to prefer explaining with BENGEL, "We do not pray that we may appear approved," by restraining you when ye do evil; "but that ye should do what is right" (English Version, "honest"). though we be as reprobates--though we be thereby deprived of the occasion for exercising our apostolic power (namely, in punishing), and so may appear "as reprobates" (incapable of affording proof of Christ speaking in us).”

“Now I pray to God that ye do no evil - I earnestly desire that you may do right, and only right; and I beseech God that it may be so, whatever may be the result in regard to me, and whatever may be thought of my claims to the apostolic office. This is designed to mitigate the apparent severity of the sentiment in 2 Corinthians 13:6. There he had said that they would find him fully endowed with the power of an apostle. They would see that he was able abundantly to punish the disobedient. They would have ample demonstration that he was endowed by Christ with all the powers appropriate to an apostle, and that all that he had claimed had been well founded, all that he threatened would be…”

“I pray God that ye may do no evil - To give me occasion of showing my apostolical power. I do not desire to appear approved - By miraculously punishing you. But that ye may do that which is good, though we should be as reprobates - Having no occasion to give that proof of our apostleship. 2 Corinthians 13:8”

“13:7-10 Whatever the problems Paul faced at Corinth, there is no doubt about his chief desire. He cherished the highest good for these people, that they would become mature and strong. Paul was always concerned to promote the welfare of his people, even when rebuking them. 13:7 that you will not do what is wrong: They would do wrong by embracing the false teachers who had appeared on the scene (11:5, 13-15; see study note on 10:1–13:13). • even if that makes it look like we have failed: Paul’s motivation in ministry is to be faithful, not to appear successful (1 Cor 4:2). He patterned his service on Jesus Christ himself (2 Cor 13:4), who was outwardly weak and an apparent failure in dying on…”

“I pray: Co2 13:9; Ch1 4:10; Mat 6:13; Joh 17:15; Phi 1:9-11; Th1 5:23; Ti2 4:18 approved: Co2 6:4, Co2 10:18; Rom 16:10; Co1 11:19; Ti2 2:15; Jam 1:12 \*Gr. honest: Co2 8:21; Rom 12:17, Rom 13:13; Phi 4:8; Ti1 2:2; Pe1 2:12 as reprobates: Co2 6:8, Co2 6:9, Co2 10:10; Co1 4:9-13 2 Corinthians 13:8”