6. But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
In V. 3 Paul had said that the Corinthians sought SoKifii^v (evidence) that Christ was in him as an apostle. He exhorted them to seek evidence that he was in them as beUevers. If tliey should prove to be {aSoKL/xo^;) without evidence, he was satisfied that they would find that he was not dSo/ct/xos. The SoKifxyj (or evidence) of Christ speakmg in him which he pro- ijDosed or threatened to give, was the exercise of the apostolic power which resulted from the indwelling of Christ, and there- fore proved his presence. He was loath, however, to give that evidence ; he would rather be (dSoKi/xos) without that evidence ; and he therefore adds,
7. 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.
JVoio I pray God that ye do no evil ; that is, I pray that ye may not give occasion for me to give the evidence of Christ speaking in me, which I have threatened to give, in case of your continued disobedience. So far from desiring an oppor- tunity of exhibiting my suj^ernatural power, I earnestly desire that there may be no occasion for its exercise. The hiterpre- tation which Grotius, and after him Flatt, Billroth, and others give of this clause, ' I pray God that I may do you no evil,' is possible so far as the words are concerned, as Troiryo-at i)/xas K-ttKoV may mean either, to do you evil^ or, that you do evil. But to do evil is not to punish. And had Paul intended to say, ' I pray God that I may not punish you,' he certainly would have chosen some more suitable expression. Besides, TToiYjaai KUKov is the opposite of ivoirjTe TO Kokov {ye 7nay do right) in this same verse. Not that we should arppear ap- proved^ &c. This and the following clause give the reason of the prayer just uttered. The negative statement of that reason conies first. He did not desire their good estate for the selfish reason that he might appear, i. e. stand forth ap- parent, as ^oKiiLO'i (approved), as one concerning whom there could be no doubt that Christ dwelt in him. There were dif- ferent kinds of evidence of the validity of Paul's claims as a believer and as an apostle ; his holy life and multiform labours ; signs and wonders ; the apostolic power with which he was