2 Corinthians 13

7. I pray--The oldest manuscripts read, "we pray."
not that we should appear approved--not to gain credit for ourselves, your ministers, by your Christian conduct; but for your good [ALFORD]. The antithesis to "reprobates" leads me to prefer explaining with BENGEL, "We do not pray that we may appear approved," by restraining you when ye do evil; "but that ye should do what is right" (English Version, "honest").
though we be as reprobates--though we be thereby deprived of the occasion for exercising our apostolic power (namely, in punishing), and so may appear "as reprobates" (incapable of affording proof of Christ speaking in us).

8. Our apostolic power is given us that we may use it not against, but for the furtherance of, the truth. Where you are free from fault, there is no scope for its exercise: and this I desire. Far be it from me to use it against the innocent, merely in order to increase my own power ( 2 Corinthians 13:10 ).

9. are glad--Greek, "rejoice."
when we are weak--having no occasion for displaying our power; and so seeming "weak," as being compassed with "infirmities" ( 2 Corinthians 10:10 , 2 Corinthians 11:29 2 Corinthians 11:30 ).
ye . . . strong--"mighty" in faith and the fruits of the Spirit.
and--not in the oldest manuscripts.
we wish--Greek, "pray for."
your perfection--literally, "perfect restoration"; literally, that of a dislocated limb. Compare 2 Corinthians 13:11 , "Be perfect," the same Greek word; also in 1 Corinthians 1:10 , "perfectly joined together"; Ephesians 4:12 , "the perfecting of the saints."

10. Therefore--because I wish the "sharpness" to be in my letters rather than in deeds [CHRYSOSTOM].
edification . . . not to destruction--for building up . . . not for casting down. To "use sharpness" would seem to be casting down, rather than building up; therefore he prefers not to have to use it.

11. farewell--meaning in Greek also "rejoice"; thus in bidding farewell he returns to the point with which he set out, "we are helpers of your joy" ( 2 Corinthians 1:24 , Philippians 4:4 ).
Be perfect--Become perfect by filling up what is lacking in your Christian character ( Ephesians 4:13 ).
be of good comfort--( 2 Corinthians 1:6 , 7:8-13 , 1 Thessalonians 4:18 ).

14. The benediction which proves the doctrine of the Divine Trinity in unity. "The grace of Christ" comes first, for it is only by it we come to "the love of God" the Father ( John 14:6 ). The variety in the order of Persons proves that "in this Trinity none is afore or after other" [Athanasian Creed].
communion--joint fellowship, or participation, in the same Holy Ghost, which joins in one catholic Church, His temple, both Jews and Gentiles. Whoever has "the fellowship of the Holy Ghost," has also "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," and "the love of God"; and vice versa. For the three are inseparable, as the three Persons of the Trinity itself [CHRYSOSTOM]. The doctrine of the Trinity was not revealed clearly and fully till Christ came, and the whole scheme of our redemption was manifested in Him, and we know the Holy Three in One more in their relations to us (as set forth summarily in this benediction), than in their mutual relations to one another ( Deuteronomy 29:29 ).
Amen--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Probably added subsequently for the exigencies of public joint worship.