The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 2:9 Explained

2 Corinthians 2:9

KJV: For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

YLT: for, for this also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether in regard to all things ye are obedient.

Darby: For to this end also I have written, that I might know, by putting you to the test, if as to everything ye are obedient.

ASV: For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things.

Discover 2 Corinthians 2:9

CONTEXT: What is the Context of 2 Corinthians 2:9?

MEANING: What does 2 Corinthians 2:9 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 2:9 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in 2 Corinthians 2:9?

What is the context of 2 Corinthians 2:9?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

What does 2 Corinthians 2:9 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This action would also show that the church accepted Paul"s apostolic authority. This was a test of its obedience to his authority. The reference to a previous letter seems to be another allusion to the severe letter ( 2 Corinthians 2:3-4).

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 2:1-11 - Tender-Hearted And Forgiving

In these opening words Paul evidently refers to the sin mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. His judgment had been strong and stringent, the Corinthian church had acted upon it, and the offender had suffered severely in consequence. But the result had been more than satisfactory. He had repented with great brokenness of spirit. Indeed, it seemed as if he would be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow, 2 Corinthians 2:7.

The Apostle desires the Corinthians to understand that he also had shed many tears over the case, 2 Corinthians 2:4. His was a very affectionate and tender disposition, which shrank from inflicting pain, and yet was resolute at all costs to maintain truth. We get a sidelight here as to the heart of God. May we not believe that whenever He chastens us, it is with profound pity? Whom He loves He chastens; and whom He receives, He scourges. But when there is full and frank repentance, there should be forgiveness. The penitent offender was to be restored to church fellowship and received with brotherly welcome. The Savior Himself speaks through forgiveness. It is His love that moves, His voice that declares; while an unforgiving spirit sets an open door to the entrance of Satan. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 2

¹ Having shown the reason why he came not to them,
⁶ he requires them to forgive and to comfort that excommunicated person,
¹⁰ even as he himself upon true repentance had forgiven him;
¹² declaring why he departed from Troas to Macedonia,
¹⁴ and the happy success which God gave to his preaching in all places

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 2:9

That I might know the proof of you [ινα γνω την δοκιμην υμων]
Ingressive second aorist active subjunctive, come to know. Δοκιμη Dokimē is proof by testing. Late word from δοκιμος dokimos and is in Dioscorides, medical writer in reign of Hadrian. Earliest use in Paul and only in him in N.T. (2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 8:2; 2 Corinthians 9:13; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Romans 5:4; Philemon 2:22). [source]

Obedient [υπηκοοι]
Old word from υπακουω hupakouō to give ear. In N.T. only in Paul (2 Corinthians 2:9; Philemon 2:8; Acts 7:39). [source]

The proof of you [τὴν δοκιμὴν ὑμῶν]
See on Romans 5:4. Your tried quality. See on 1 Peter 1:7. Compare Philemon 2:22. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 2:9

Romans 5:4 Knowing [ειδοτες]
Second perfect participle of ειδον eidon (οιδα oida), giving the reason for the previous exhortation to glory in tribulations. He gives a linked chain, one linking to the other (tribulation τλιπσις thlipsis patience υπομονη hupomonē experience δοκιμη dokimē hope ελπις elpis) running into Romans 5:5. On δοκιμη dokimē see note on 2 Corinthians 2:9. [source]

2 Corinthians 2:3 I wrote this very thing [εγραπσα τουτο αυτο]
Is this (and εγραπσα egrapsa in 2 Corinthians 2:4, 2 Corinthians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12) the epistolary aorist referring to the present letter? In itself that is possible as the epistolary aorist does occur in the N.T. as in 2 Corinthians 8:18; 2 Corinthians 9:3 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 854f.). If not epistolary aorist as seems improbable from the context and from 2 Corinthians 7:8-12, to what Epistle does he refer? To 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 or to a lost letter? It is possible, of course, that, when Paul decided not to come to Corinth, he sent a letter. The language that follows in 2 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:8-12 can hardly apply to I Corinthians. [source]

2 Corinthians 2:9 That I might know the proof of you [ινα γνω την δοκιμην υμων]
Ingressive second aorist active subjunctive, come to know. Δοκιμη Dokimē is proof by testing. Late word from δοκιμος dokimos and is in Dioscorides, medical writer in reign of Hadrian. Earliest use in Paul and only in him in N.T. (2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 8:2; 2 Corinthians 9:13; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Romans 5:4; Philemon 2:22). [source]

2 Corinthians 2:9 Obedient [υπηκοοι]
Old word from υπακουω hupakouō to give ear. In N.T. only in Paul (2 Corinthians 2:9; Philemon 2:8; Acts 7:39). [source]

2 Corinthians 8:2 Proof [δοκιμηι]
Tests as of metals as in 2 Corinthians 2:9. [source]

Philippians 2:8 He humbled himself [εταπεινωσεν εαυτον]
First aorist active of ταπεινοω tapeinoō old verb from ταπεινος tapeinos It is a voluntary humiliation on the part of Christ and for this reason Paul is pressing the example of Christ upon the Philippians, this supreme example of renunciation. See Bruce‘s masterpiece, The Humiliation of Christ. Obedient (υπηκοος hupēkoos). Old adjective, giving ear to. See note on Acts 7:39; 2 Corinthians 2:9. Unto death “Until death.” See “until blood” Yea, the death of the cross (τανατου δε σταυρου thanatou de staurou). The bottom rung in the ladder from the Throne of God. Jesus came all the way down to the most despised death of all, a condemned criminal on the accursed cross. [source]

Philippians 2:8 Obedient [υπηκοος]
Old adjective, giving ear to. See note on Acts 7:39; 2 Corinthians 2:9. [source]

Philippians 2:22 The proof [την δοκιμην]
“The test” as of metals (2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 9:13). Three times they had seen Timothy (Acts 16:13; Acts 19:22; Acts 20:3.). [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 2:9 mean?

For this indeed also did I write so that I might know the proof of you whether to everything obedient you are

Εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ ἔγραψα ἵνα γνῶ τὴν δοκιμὴν ὑμῶν εἰ εἰς πάντα ὑπήκοοί ἐστε

τοῦτο	this
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: οὗτος Sense: this.
γὰρ	indeed
Parse: Conjunction Root: γάρ Sense: for.
καὶ	also
Parse: Conjunction Root: καί Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἔγραψα	did I write
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular Root: γράφω Sense: to write, with reference to the form of the letters.
ἵνα	so that
Parse: Conjunction Root: ἵνα Sense: that, in order that, so that.
γνῶ	I might know
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Singular Root: γινώσκω Sense: to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel.
δοκιμὴν	proof
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: δοκιμή Sense: proving, trial.
ὑμῶν	of you
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural Root: σύ Sense: you.
εἰ	whether
Parse: Conjunction Root: εἰ Sense: if, whether.
πάντα	everything
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: πᾶς Sense: individually.
ὑπήκοοί	obedient
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: ὑπήκοος Sense: giving ear, obedient.
ἐστε	you are
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.

What are the major concepts related to 2 Corinthians 2:9?

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