For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Read Chapter 13
Ambrosiaster
AD 400
Paul is saying this because there is no power against the truth. They cannot reprove someone who is living a good life, but only someone who is an enemy of the law. This power will come to nothing if people have done what is good. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. Truth, not mental or verbal, but that truth of life which is righteousness and equity. We cannot, he says, do anything against those who live as Christians righteously, against those who do what is good; we cannot show against them our power to punish. But, on behalf of truth or righteousness, we can both punish those who violate it, and praise and reward those who follow after it.
Secondly, Theophylact explains it to mean: We cannot pass any sentence against the truth, so as to punish a man who does not merit punishment; but we can, and ought to pass sentence for the truth, and punish the guilty. This meaning follows from the first, and is plainer and easier.
Others take the passage thus: As we cannot pass it over if you do anything against the truth, i.e, against righteousness and your Christian calling; Song of Solomon , if you act according to righteousness, we cannot punish you, because we can do nothing against the tru...
