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Friday, August 29th, 2025
the Week of Proper 16 / Ordinary 21
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Read the Bible

International Standard Version

2 Corinthians 13:8

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Holiness;   Zeal, Religious;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Truth;   Holman Bible Dictionary - 2 Corinthians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Truth;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Corinthians, Second Epistle to the;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for April 4;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
For we can’t do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
King James Version (1611)
For wee can doe nothing against the trueth, but for the trueth.
King James Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
English Standard Version
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
New American Standard Bible
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
New Century Version
We cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Amplified Bible
For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth [and the gospel—the good news of salvation].
New American Standard Bible (1995)
For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
Legacy Standard Bible
For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
Berean Standard Bible
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Contemporary English Version
All we can do is to follow the truth and not fight against it.
Complete Jewish Bible
For we cannot act against the truth, only for it.
Darby Translation
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Easy-to-Read Version
We cannot do anything that is against the truth but only what promotes the truth.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For wee can not doe any thing against the trueth, but for the trueth.
George Lamsa Translation
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but for the truth.
Good News Translation
For we cannot do a thing against the truth, but only for it.
Lexham English Bible
For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but rather only for the truth.
Literal Translation
For we cannot have any power against the truth, but on behalf of the truth.
American Standard Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Bible in Basic English
Because we are able to do nothing against what is true, but only for it.
Hebrew Names Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Etheridge Translation
For we are not able to do any thing against the truth, but for the truth.
Murdock Translation
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but [fn] for the truth.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For we can do nothyng agaynst the trueth: but for the trueth.
English Revised Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
World English Bible
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Weymouth's New Testament
For we have no power against the truth, but only for the furtherance of the truth;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For we moun no thing ayens treuthe, but for the treuthe.
Update Bible Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Webster's Bible Translation
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
New English Translation
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth.
New King James Version
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
New Living Translation
For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.
New Life Bible
We cannot work against the truth of God. We only work for it.
New Revised Standard
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth;
Douay-Rheims Bible
For we can do nothing against the truth: but for the truth.
Revised Standard Version
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
We can do no thinge agaynst the trueth but for the trueth.
Young's Literal Translation
for we are not able to do anything against the truth, but for the truth;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For we maye do nothinge agaynst ye trueth, but for ye trueth.
Mace New Testament (1729)
for I can employ no power against the truth, but for the truth.
Simplified Cowboy Version
We can't go against what is true. We stick to the truth, that's all.

Contextual Overview

7 We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong - not to show that we have not failed the test, but so that you may do what is right, even if we seem to have failed.2 Corinthians 6:9;">[xr] 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad when we are weak and you are strong. That is what we are praying for - your maturity.1 Corinthians 4:10; 2 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Thessalonians 3:10;">[xr] 10 For this reason I am writing this while I am away from you: When I come I do not want to be severe in using the authority the Lord gave me to build you up and not to tear you down.1 Corinthians 4:21; 2 Corinthians 2:3; 12:20-21; Titus 1:13;">[xr]

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

2 Corinthians 13:10, 2 Corinthians 10:8, Numbers 16:28-35, 1 Kings 22:28, 2 Kings 1:9-13, 2 Kings 2:23-25, Proverbs 21:30, Proverbs 26:2, Mark 9:39, Mark 16:17-19, Luke 9:49-56, Acts 4:28-30, Acts 5:1-11, Acts 13:3-12, Acts 19:11-17, 1 Corinthians 5:4, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Timothy 1:20, Hebrews 2:3, Hebrews 2:4

Reciprocal: John 15:5 - can 2 Corinthians 7:9 - that ye 2 Corinthians 13:9 - when

Cross-References

Matthew 5:9
"How blessed are those who make peace, for it is they who will be called God's children!
Acts 7:26
The next day he showed himself to some of them while they were fighting and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brothers. Why should you harm each other?'Exodus 2:13;">[xr]
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to each other with mutual affection. Excel in showing respect for each other.Philippians 2:3; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 5:5; 2 Peter 1:7;">[xr]
Philippians 2:14
Do everything without complaining or arguingRomans 14:1; 1 Corinthians 10:10; 1 Peter 4:9;">[xr]
1 Thessalonians 4:9
Now you do not need anyone to write to you about brotherly love, since you have been taught by God to love each other.Jeremiah 31:34; Matthew 22:39; John 6:45; 13:34; 14:26; 15:12; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:1; Hebrews 8:11; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 2:20,27; 4:21;">[xr]
Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.Psalm 34:14; Matthew 5:8; Romans 12:18; 14:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:5; 2 Timothy 2:22;">[xr]
Hebrews 13:1
Let brotherly love continue.Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 4:8; 2 Peter 1:7; 1 John 3:11;">[xr]
1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have obeyed the truththe truth through the Spirit
">[fn] and have purified your souls to love your brothers sincerely, you must love one another intensely and with a pure heart.Acts 15:9; Romans 12:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 2:17; 3:8; 4:8; 2 Peter 1:7; 1 John 3:18;">[xr]
1 Peter 2:17
Show honor to everyone. Keep on loving the brothers, fearing God, and honoring the king.Proverbs 24:21; Matthew 22:21; Romans 12:10; 13:7; Philippians 2:3; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22;">[xr]
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love as brothers, and be compassionate and humble.Romans 12:10,16; 15:5; Ephesians 4:32; Philippians 3:16; Colossians 3:12; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 2:17;">[xr]

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For we can do nothing against the truth,.... The apostles had no power, nor could they, nor did they desire to exercise any against such who received the truth of the Gospel in the love of it; who continued in it, walked in it, and held it fast; who worshipped God in Spirit and in truth, and who walked uprightly, and as became the truth; for as the law is not made for such persons, but the reverse, so the authority the apostles had received from Christ was not to be exercised upon such:

but for the truth: for the sake of defending the truth against those that dropped, denied, and opposed it; and for the honour of it, by chastising, correcting, reproving, censuring, and punishing such, who either contradicted it, or caused it to be blasphemed and spoken evil of.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For we - That is, we the apostles.

Can do nothing against the truth ... - That is, we who are under the influence of the Spirit of God; who have been commissioned by him as apostles, can do nothing that shall be against the great system of truth which we are appointed to promulgate and defend. You need, therefore, apprehend no partial or severe discipline from us; no unjust construction of your conduct. Our aim is to promote the truth, and to do what is right; and we cannot, therefore, by any regard to our own reputation, or to any personal advantage, do what is wrong, or countenance, or desire what is wrong in others. We must wish that which is right to be done by others, whatever may be the effect on us - whether we are regarded as apostles or deceivers. I suppose, therefore, that this verse is designed to qualify and confirm the sentiment in the previous verse, that Paul meant to do only right; that he wished all others to do right; and that whatever might be the effect on his own reputation, or however he might be regarded, he could not go against the great system of gospel truth which he preached, or even desire that others should ever do wrong, though it might in any way be for his advantage. It was a fixed principle with him to act only in accordance with truth; to do what was right.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 13:8. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. — As we are the apostles of God, we cannot bring to you any false doctrine; and, as we profess to be under the influence of God's Spirit, we cannot do any thing that is opposed to that truth, or which might be prejudicial to it. On the contrary, what we say and do is for that truth, to propagate and establish it. The Gospel of Jesus is truth; and my testimony concerning it is truth also. In my coming, and in my rod, you have nothing to fear, if you retain and abide in this truth.


 
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