The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 8:24 Explained

2 Corinthians 8:24

KJV: Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

YLT: the shewing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, to them shew ye, even in the face of the assemblies.

Darby: Shew therefore to them, before the assemblies, the proof of your love, and of our boasting about you.

ASV: Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Wherefore  shew ye  to  them,  and  before  the churches,  the proof  of your  love,  and  of our  boasting  on  your  behalf. 

What does 2 Corinthians 8:24 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul concluded his "letter of commendation" ( 2 Corinthians 8:16-24) with a warm appeal. He charged his readers to grant these messengers a reception that would demonstrate the Corinthians" love for Christ, Paul, and the delegates to all the other churches. They were to be openhearted toward them as Paul had urged them to be openhearted toward himself ( 2 Corinthians 6:11-13). Their warm reception of the messengers would confirm the genuineness of their acceptance of Paul and their positive response to his admonition concerning the offering. Other churches were watching the Corinthians and knew of their history. Therefore this positive welcome of the delegates needed to be public to dispel any doubts in the minds of others.

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 8:16-24 - "things Honorable" Both To God And Men
Those who handle the gifts of the Church should be extremely careful that all their financing be above the slightest suspicion. The Apostle shrank from handling these gifts himself, lest any should insinuate that he was appropriating them to his personal use. Even when we have no reason to accuse ourselves in the sight of the Lord, we should be careful of appearances in the sight of men; and whatever is entrusted to us should be administered by us to the glory of God.
In the present instance the Apostle designated three brethren to attend to this matter. First, Titus, his partner and fellow-worker; next, the brother whose praise was in all the churches and who had been appointed for this very purpose; and thirdly, another brother, referred to in 2 Corinthians 8:22. Titus represented the Apostle, and the others represented the churches themselves. These brethren are distinctly mentioned as the glory of Christ, 2 Corinthians 8:23. It must be an encouragement to those who handle the financial matters of our churches, that they also may promote Christ's glory and participate in its transfiguring beauty. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 8

1  He stirs them to a generous gift for the poor saints at Jerusalem, by the example of the Macedonians;
7  by commendation of their former forwardness;
9  by the example of Christ;
14  and by the spiritual profit that shall redound to themselves thereby;
16  commending to them the integrity and willingness of Titus, and those other brothers

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 8:24

The proof of your love [την ενδειχιν της αγαπης υμων]
There is a word here for pastors and deacons who try to protect the churches from the denominational representatives of kingdom causes. [source]
In the face of the churches [εις προσωπον των εκκλησιων]
A great host is pictured as watching how the Corinthians will treat these duly accredited agents in the collection (Titus and the other two brethren). It requires courage to stand by such representatives of great causes before stingy saints. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 8:24

Romans 3:25 A propitiation [ιλαστηριον]
The only other N.T. example of this word is in Hebrews 9:5 where we have the “cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat” In Hebrews the adjective is used as a substantive or as “the propitiatory place” But that idea does not suit here. Deissmann (Bible Studies, pp. 124-35) has produced examples from inscriptions where it is used as an adjective and as meaning “a votive offering” or “propitiatory gift.” Hence he concludes about Romans 3:25: “The crucified Christ is the votive gift of the Divine Love for the salvation of men.” God gave his Son as the means of propitiation (1 John 2:2). ιλαστηριον — Hilastērion is an adjective There is no longer room for doubting its meaning in Romans 3:25. Through faith, by his blood (δια πιστεως εν τωι αυτου αιματι — dia pisteōs en tōi autou haimati). So probably, connecting εν τοι αιματι — en toi haimati (in his blood) with προετετο — proetheto To show his righteousness See note on 2 Corinthians 8:24. “For showing of his righteousness,” the God-kind of righteousness. God could not let sin go as if a mere slip. God demanded the atonement and provided it. Because of the passing over (δια την παρεσιν — dia tēn paresin). Late word from παριημι — pariēmi to let go, to relax. In Dionysius Hal., Xenophon, papyri (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 266) for remission of punishment, especially for debt, as distinct from απεσις — aphesis (remission). Done aforetime Second perfect active genitive participle of προγινομαι — proginomai The sins before the coming of Christ (Acts 14:16; Acts 17:30; Hebrews 9:15). Forbearance (ανοχηι — anochēi). Holding back of God as in Romans 2:4. In this sense Christ tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). [source]
Romans 3:25 To show his righteousness [εις ενδειχιν της δικαιοσυνης αυτου]
See note on 2 Corinthians 8:24. “For showing of his righteousness,” the God-kind of righteousness. God could not let sin go as if a mere slip. God demanded the atonement and provided it. Because of the passing over (δια την παρεσιν — dia tēn paresin). Late word from παριημι — pariēmi to let go, to relax. In Dionysius Hal., Xenophon, papyri (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 266) for remission of punishment, especially for debt, as distinct from απεσις — aphesis (remission). Done aforetime Second perfect active genitive participle of προγινομαι — proginomai The sins before the coming of Christ (Acts 14:16; Acts 17:30; Hebrews 9:15). Forbearance (ανοχηι — anochēi). Holding back of God as in Romans 2:4. In this sense Christ tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). [source]
2 Corinthians 1:11 By means of many [εκ πολλων προσωπων]
Προσωπον — Prosōpon means face The word is common in all Greek. The papyri use it for face, appearance, person. It occurs twelve times in II Corinthians. It certainly means face in eight of them (2 Corinthians 3:7, 2 Corinthians 3:13, 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 8:24; 2 Corinthians 10:1, 2 Corinthians 10:7; 2 Corinthians 11:20). In 2 Corinthians 5:12 it means outward appearance. It may mean face or person here, 2 Corinthians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 4:6. It is more pictorial to take it here as face “that out of many upturned faces” thanks may be given It is indeed a difficult sentence to understand. [source]
Philippians 1:28 An evident token [ἔνδειξις]
Only here, Romans 3:25, Romans 3:26; 2 Corinthians 8:24. Lit., a pointing out. Used in Attic law of a writ of indictment. A demonstration or proof. [source]
Philippians 1:28 By the adversaries [υπο των αντικειμενων]
These men who were lined up against (present middle participle of αντικειμαι — antikeimai) may have been Jews or Gentiles or both. See note on 2 Thessalonians 2:4 for this late verb. Any preacher who attacks evil will have opposition. Evident token (ενδειχις — endeixis). Old word for proof. See note on 2 Corinthians 8:24; Romans 3:25. “An Attic law term” (Kennedy) and only in Paul in N.T. Perdition “Loss” in contrast with “salvation” And that (και τουτο — kai touto). Idiomatic adverbial accusative. “It is a direct indication from God. The Christian gladiator does not anxiously await the signal of life or death from the fickle crowd” (Lightfoot). [source]
Philippians 1:28 Evident token [ενδειχις]
Old word for proof. See note on 2 Corinthians 8:24; Romans 3:25. “An Attic law term” (Kennedy) and only in Paul in N.T. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 8:24 mean?

- Therefore the proof of the love of you and of our boasting about you to them show in face of the churches
τὴν οὖν ἔνδειξιν τῆς ἀγάπης ὑμῶν καὶ ἡμῶν καυχήσεως ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν εἰς αὐτοὺς ἐνδεικνύμενοι εἰς πρόσωπον τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν

τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἔνδειξιν  the  proof 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἔνδειξις  
Sense: demonstration, proof.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀγάπης  love 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀγάπη  
Sense: brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἡμῶν  of  our 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
καυχήσεως  boasting 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: καύχησις  
Sense: the act of glorying.
ὑπὲρ  about 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ὑπέρ 
Sense: in behalf of, for the sake of.
ἐνδεικνύμενοι  show 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐνδείκνυμι  
Sense: to point out.
πρόσωπον  face 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πρόσωπον  
Sense: the face.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐκκλησιῶν  churches 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: ἐκκλησία  
Sense: a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly.

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