Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 13:7

"Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate." — 2 Corinthians 13:7 (ASV)

Once again (cf. 3:1; 5:12; 12:19) Paul anticipates and answers the objection that he had been commending or defending himself. His chief desire and his prayer to God were not for his vindication (though he was concerned about this, v.6) but for their avoidance of wrongdoing, including especially the refusal to repent of sin (12:20–21) and to repudiate the visitors from Palestine. It would be better that the Corinthians did what they knew to be good and right, even if this were to place Paul seemingly in the wrong, than that they should do something wrong. Paul did not expect to be shown up as counterfeit, but even such a price would be worth paying if it guaranteed that the Corinthians would do good (cf. Romans 9:3).