John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 13:8

"For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth." — 2 Corinthians 13:8 (ASV)

For we can do nothing: That is to say—"I do not seek or desire any other power than what the Lord has conferred on me, so that I may promote the truth. To false apostles, it is all the same, provided they have power; and they feel no concern to use their power for the promotion of what is good." In short, he defends and maintains the honor of his ministry, insofar as it is connected with the truth of God.

"What does it matter to me? For unless I aim to promote the truth, all the power that I shall claim will be false and groundless. If, however, I expend whatever I have for the promotion of the truth, in that case, I do not consider my own interest."

"Now, when the authority of doctrine is safe, and truth is unharmed, I have what I desire. Therefore, in contending so keenly, I am not influenced by any exclusive concern for myself personally."

By this, however, he implies that the man who fights and labors for the truth alone will not be offended, should the situation require it, to be regarded in the judgment of men as a reprobate, provided this does not interfere with the glory of God, the edification of the Church, and the authority of sound doctrine.

This passage must be carefully observed, because it limits the power that the Pastors of the Church should have, and fixes its proper bounds—that they are to be ministers of the truth. Papists loudly tell us that it is said,

He that heareth you, heareth me;
he that despiseth you, despiseth me, (Luke 10:16).

and likewise:

Obey them that are set over you, (Hebrews 13:17).

and under this pretext they take for themselves the utmost liberty, so as to usurp unbounded dominion, while they are, at the same time, the avowed and sworn enemies of the truth, and aim at its destruction by every means in their power. To expose such impudence, this one statement of Paul will suffice—which declares that they themselves must be in subjection to the truth.