Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 13:6
But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
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.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
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 Gods 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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. we . . . not reprobatesnotunable to abide the proof to which ye put us (2Co13:6). “I trust that” your own Christianity will berecognized by you (observe, “ye shall know,“answers to “know your own selves,” 2Co13:5) as sufficient “proof” that ye are not reprobates,but that “Christ speaks in me,” without needing a prooffrom me more trying to yourselves. If ye doubt my apostleship, yemust doubt your own Christianity, for ye are the fruits of myapostleship.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
That ye shall know ( ). Such a testing of themselves will give them full knowledge that Paul is not
reprobate (). The best way for vacillating Christians to stop it is to draw close to Christ.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “But I trust that ye shall know,” (elpizo de hoti gnosthesthe) “But I hope that you all will know;” or recognize, Mat 7:17; Mat 7:20; Mat 5:15-16; No man lives to himself alone; each must recognize this and forbear one another in love and helplessness, Eph 4:1-3; Gal 6:1.
2) “That we are not reprobates,” (hoti hemeis ouk esmen adokimoi) “counterfeits, fakes, reprobates, or rejects,” of the Gospel, not following the resurrected and living Saviour. When put on trial by skeptics, Paul hoped, desired, that the Corinth brethren would not join the disapproving, fault-finding cynical crowd, but be persuaded to the contrary, that they were genuine servants and worthy ministers of Jesus Christ, 1Co 9:27; 2Jn 1:8; Act 20:20; Act 20:22; Act 20:27-38.
PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES
That means more than self-examination. A man is about to buy a horse; he thinks that possibly he may find out some fault, and therefore he examines it; but after he has examined it, he says, “Let me have it for a week, that I may prove the animal before I invest in him.” A ship, both before and when launched, is carefully looked at; and yet before she is allowed to go to sea, she takes a trial trip; and then when proved she goes out on her long voyages. Now, many a man’s religion will stand examination that will not stand proof. It is like some cotton prints that are warranted fast colors, and so they seem when you look at them, but they are not washable when you get them home. It is good enough to look at, and it has got the “warranted” – stamped upon it; but when it comes out into actual daily life, the colors soon begin to run, and the man discovers that the thing was not what he took it to be.
-Spurgeon
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(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.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
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.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But I hope that you will know that we are not reprobate (failing the test).’
And his hope is that as they do this they will come to recognise that Paul and his fellow-workers are not reprobate, not God-rejected, because they will recognise in them both the manifestation of Christ’s weakness, (through their sufferings) and of His power (through their effectiveness). Thus will they be saved from what God might do among them as he reveals His power in judgment.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Co 13:6 . The case of the , 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 of the apostolic authority in the event of their deserving punishment. , , 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.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
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 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
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, ; and Chrys. remarks, ib., , , , ).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Co 13:6 . . . .: 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.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
trust = hope.
know. Greek. ginosko. App-132.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
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, ;-and Chrys. remarks, ib., , , , ).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Co 13:6. , you shall know) by the proving of yourselves, without any experimental proof of my power, 2Co 13:10.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Co 13:6
2Co 13:6
But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.-His power and faithfulness would be tested, as well as theirs, and he hoped that they would know that he would stand the test and not become a reprobate.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
2Co 13:3, 2Co 13:4, 2Co 13:10, 2Co 12:20
Reciprocal: 1Co 9:27 – a castaway 2Co 1:13 – than 2Co 13:5 – reprobates 2Ti 3:8 – reprobate
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Co 13:6. Paul does not intimate any doubt as to his not being a reprobate. He is concerned, however, over the attitude of the Corinthians on the subject. This concern is justified by the fact of personal enemies among the brethren, which has been referred to in a number of places in this book.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Co 13:6. But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobatethat whether in making known the Gospel or in the exercise of faithful discipline we, at least, are straightforward and true to our Master.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
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.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Verse 6 Paul hoped they knew that he would not fail the test.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
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.]
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
13:6 {3} But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
(3) He appeases that sharpness, trusting that they will show themselves towards their faithful apostle, able and willing to be taught. And he also adds this, that he does not seek his own fame and estimation, so that they may serve their saviour, which is the only mark that he shoots at.