For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
All Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13:8 Go To 2 Corinthians 13
Cornelius a Lapide
AD 1637
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 truth. All our power is to be jealously guarded, and used on behalf of truth and righteousness.
