2 Corinthians 13:6

we . . . not reprobates--not unable to abide the proof to which ye put us (Co2 13:6). "I trust that" your own Christianity will be recognized by you (observe, "ye shall know," answers to "know your own selves," Co2 13:5) as sufficient "proof" that ye are not reprobates, but that "Christ speaks in me," without needing a proof from me more trying to yourselves. If ye doubt my apostleship, ye must doubt your own Christianity, for ye are the fruits of my apostleship.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2Co 13:6. Γνώσεσθε, you shall know) by the proving of yourselves, without any experimental proof of my power, 2Co 13:10.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Co_13:6. The case of the ἀδόκιμον εἶναι, however, which he has just laid down as possible perhaps in respect of the readers, shall not, he hopes, occur with him: you shall discern (in pursuance of experience) that we are not unattested, ungenuine, that is, non deesse nobis experimenta et argumenta potestatis et virtutis, qua in refractarios uti possimus, Wolf. Comp. 2Co_13:7; 2Co_13:9. Not without bitterness is this said. But the object of the hoping is not the desert of punishment on the part of the readers, but the δοκιμή of the apostolic authority in the event of their deserving punishment. Ἀπειλητικῶς τοῦτο τέθεικεν, ὡς μέλλων αὐτοῖς τῆς πνευματικῆς δυνάμεως παρέχειν ἀπόδειξιν, Theodoret. According to others (Beza, Calvin, Balduin, Calovius, Bengel), Paul expresses the hope that they would amend themselves and thereby evince the power of his apostolic influence. This, as well as the blending of the two views (Flatt, Osiander), is opposed to the context in w. 3 f., 7, 9. Not till 2Co_13:7 does Paul turn to the expression of gentle, pious love.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Co 13:6 . ἐλπίζω δὲ κ . τ . λ .: but , however it may be with you, I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate , that we can confidently submit to any testing of our apostolic authority.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

6. ἐλπίζω δὲ ὅτι γνώσεσθε. But I hope that ye will come to know that we are not reprobate. ‘I trust that your testing of yourselves will show you what we are’; si estis in fide, ex vobis nos cognoscite (Primasius). Or the meaning may be, ‘I expect (2Co 8:5) that ye will find out that Christ is in us with power to punish’: ἀπειληπτικῶς τοῦτο τέθεικεν, ὡς μέλλων αὐτοῖς τῆς πνευματικῆς δυνάμεως παρέχειν ἀπόδειξιν (Theodoret). The repetition, δοκιμάζετε, δόκιμοι, ἀδόκιμοι (thrice), suggests that this was a favourite expression with his critics. Note the emphatic contrasts in 2Co 13:6-7 between ἡμεῖς and ὑμεῖς.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He mitigateth that sharpness, trusting that they will show themselves towards their faithful Apostle, apt and willingly to be taught: adding this moreover, that he passeth not for his own fame and estimation, so that he may serve to their salvation, which is the only mark that he shooteth at.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 6. Ye shall know that we are not reprobates.] Ye have had, and ye shall have, the fullest proof that I have preached the true faith among you; and that God has confirmed it by his testimony; and thus that I am proved and manifested to be what I ought to be, and shown to be approved of God.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

6. I hope that you shall know He presses them still more urgently, while indulging this confident persuasion — that he will not be rejected by the Corinthians. One of two things was necessary — that they should either assign to Paul the honor due to an Apostle, or condemn themselves for unbelief, and acknowledge that they have no Church. He softens, however, the severity of the statement, by making use of the expression — I hope; but in such a manner as to remind them the better of their duty; for to disappoint the hopes that have been entertained as to our integrity, is excessively cruel. “I hope,” says he, “that you shall know — when you have been restored to a sound mind.” He prudently, however, says nothing as to himself in this second clause, calling them to consider God’s benefits, by which they had been distinguished; nay more, he puts their salvation in the place of his authority.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(6) But I trust . . .—Better, But I hope . . . The “we” that follows is emphatic: “whether you fail to pass the test or not, I have a good hope that you will know that we do not fail, whether the test be that which you demand (2Co_13:3), or that which I apply to myself as in the sight of God.”

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

6. But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates] i.e. I trust that you will find that we have not lost this Divine power of Christ dwelling within us, but that you will find it as mighty to confront and to subdue the obstinate resistance of evil, as it was to implant the first strivings after good.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But I trust that ye shall know,.... Whether they were reprobates or not, the apostle would not pretend to say; that he left to themselves, and of which they were capable of making judgment for themselves: however, he hoped and believed, that he and his fellow apostles would give such proof of themselves, as that they should know certainly

that we, says he,

are not reprobates; men void of judgment in the doctrines of the Gospel, but have light, knowledge, and understanding in them; or useless and unprofitable in the ministry, but were the savour of life unto life to many; were ministers by whom others believed; were successful labourers in the Lord's vineyard, and builders in his house; and were made very useful for the conversion, comfort, and edification of many souls: or that they were not men disapproved either by God, or his people; since as they faithfully served Christ in the ministration of the Gospel, they were acceptable to God, and approved of men: or were not men without a proof of Christ speaking in them; they might assure themselves they would have too soon, for some of them, an evidence of that power and authority which Christ had lodged in them, to punish such as repented not of their evils.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

Ver. 6. But I trust that ye shall know] Whereas they were ready to retort that they were no reprobates, he should well know, let him see that himself were not one. I trust ye shall know, saith he, that we are no reprobates, counterfeits, or inapprovable, opposed to approved, 2Co 13:7.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But I trust ... - The sense of this verse is,” Whatever may be the result of your examination of yourselves, I trust (Greek I hope) you will not find us false and to be rejected; that is, I trust you will find in me evidence that I am commissioned by the Lord Jesus to be his apostle.” The idea is, that they would find when he was among them, that he was endowed with all the qualifications needful to confer a claim to the apostolic office.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

I trust that we have not fallen from the state in which we were, but that we continue to exercise our ministry and to use the power which he has given us. Though I do not wish to find you guilty of any sins which may oblige me to use this power over you. I rather wish in this respect to have no authority whatever over you, to be as it were an outcast or reprobate, that you may never feel the power that God hath given me for the punishment of the wicked. (St. John Chrysostom) --- Reprobates. That is, without proof, by having no occasion of shewing our power in punishing you. (Challoner)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

You make a doubt whether Christ be in us, and you would fain know how it may be evidenced that he is so. If Christ be not in us we must be reprobates.

But I trust that ye shall know, either in this life, by the evident signs of my apostleship, (which when I come I shall give you), and by the life and power of my ministry amongst you; or in another life, when the sheep shall stand at God’s right hand, and the goats at his left; that (whatsoever you think or say of us) we are none of those who are rejected and disapproved of God.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

6. But—However it may be as to your genuineness as Christians.

I trust that—By ample and powerful proofs, if necessary.

Ye shall know that we—Myself, as apostle, are not spurious or reprobates.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That we are not reprobates. My power and faithfulness will be tested as well as yours, and I hope that it will stand the test.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I trust ye shall know - By proving yourselves, not by putting my authority to the proof.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

As if the apostle had said, "Whatever you, upon examination, shall be found to be, I trust you shall know, and be convinced, that we have not dishonoured Christ, nor shall be disowned of him: But whenever I come to you, you shall find that I am not destitute of the grace and power of Christ; whether for advancing your faith, improving your holiness, or correcting your miscarriages." The ministers of Christ, who are faithful to him, in contending with the errors and vices of men, in reproving sin, in censuring sin, shall be owned and approved of God, when the reprobate world shall be condemned by him: I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate . [Ye who are so eager to put me to the test as to whether I am united with Christ, would exercise a truer wisdom if you tested your own selves to see whether you are in possession of that faith which should unite you with Christ--yea, test your own selves and do not foolishly wait for me to apply the rigors of my testing. Ye seek to know whether Christ is in me, but the obvious, immediate way of testing this is to see if I have been able to impart Christ to you. Or have you indeed lost all consciousness of Christ being in you, using you as his temple? Compare Joh_15:4-5 ; 1Jo_3:24 ; Gal_2:20 ; Gal_4:19 ; Eph_3:17 ; Col_1:27 . Surely you have this consciousness which is the conclusive test of my ministry ( 2Co_3:1-3 ; 1Co_9:2 ), unless indeed ye are proved to be no Christians at all, by the application of this test. But I hope that by my testing when I come, the true authority of Christ in me may be vindicated, and that, testing me, you may find me approved by the testing. Reprobate means that which fails to stand the test ( Jer_6:30 ). It is evident to the casual observer that Paul uses the word in an entirely different sense from that horrible meaning read into it by Calvin.]

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

6. I trust ye shall know, etc. Christ is in those who are not reprobates, but the power of Christ (verse 3), that he will display when he comes, will show that he is not reprobate.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

6.] But (however it may fall out with your proof of yourselves) I hope (or perhaps better, expect) that ye shall know that we are not worthless (unable to abide the proof to which you put us. The verse is said, as Theodoret, ἀπειλητικῶς;—and Chrys. remarks, ib., ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἐντεῦθεν βούλεσθε, φησί, διὰ τῆς εἰς ὑμᾶς κολάσεως τὴν δοκιμὴν λαβεῖν, οὐκ ἀπορήσομεν τοῦ δοῦναι ὑμῖν τὴν ἀπόδειξιν).

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

6. ʼλπίζω δὲ ὅτι γνώσεσθε. ‘But I hope that you will come to know that we are not reprobate.’ This might mean one of two things; ‘I anticipate that experience will teach you that Christ is in us with power to inflict punishment’; or, ‘I trust that your testing of yourselves will show that you are sound, and then you are sure to see that we are sound.’ It is the spiritual who can judge with sureness of the spiritual. That ἐλπίζω may mean ‘expect’ rather than ‘hope’ is clear from 8:5; but St Paul is not likely to have meant that he expected to be obliged to punish; he certainly hoped that no such proof of his power would be needed. The rapid changes between 1 sing. (vv. 2, 6) and 1 plur. (vv. 4, 7) should be noted. In all these cases he probably means himself only.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.