Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
I'm praying to God that you don't mess up, and honestly, it's not because I want to look good or prove I'm right about you. I want you to do what's right even if it makes me look like I failed as your leader.
Sometimes loving someone means wanting them to succeed even when it doesn't make you look good.
📚 Historical Context
Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians to address ongoing issues in the church, such as divisions, moral problems, and challenges to his apostolic authority from false teachers. In this specific verse from chapter 13, as he concludes his letter, Paul prays for the Corinthians to avoid evil and live honestly, not for the sake of his own reputation or approval, but for their genuine spiritual well-being, even if it means he appears weak or disapproved. This reflects Paul's deep pastoral concern for the church's integrity amid the cultural pressures of Corinth, a prosperous but morally corrupt Greek city.
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