Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 2:9
For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
9. For to this end also did I write ] St Paul here gives a third reason for writing the first Epistle. Not only was he anxious for the restoration of the offender, for a visit to Corinth which should have nothing of a painful character about it, but he wished to test the readiness of the Corinthians to submit to his authority (cf. ch. 2Co 7:15, 2Co 10:6), a point on which (1 Corinthians 9, 2 Corinthians 10-12) at that moment there was considerable doubt. See also note on 2Co 2:6. Some commentators, however, contend that the word , though an aorist, is, as what is called the Epistolary aorist, to be translated “I write” (as in 1Jn 2:14), and that it refers to the present letter, and that the test of obedience St Paul desired was the display of forgiveness. But this seems hardly consistent with 1Co 5:2. See also Php 2:12, and 2Co 2:3 of this chapter.
the proof ] That which has been tested and has borne the test. The word is variously translated in our version. In Rom 5:4 it is translated experience, in ch. 2Co 8:2 of this Epistle, trial, in 2Co 9:13, experiment, in 2Co 13:3 and in Php 2:22, proof.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For to this end also did I write – The apostle did not say that this was the only purpose of his writing, to induce them to excommunicate the offender. He does not say that he wished in an arbitrary manner to test their willingness to obey him, or to induce them to do a thing in itself wrong, in order to try their obedience. But the meaning is this: This was the main reason why he wrote to them, rather than to come personally among them. The thing ought to have been done; the offender ought to be punished; and Paul says that he adopted the method of writing to them rather than of coming among them in person, in order to give them an opportunity to show whether they were disposed to be obedient. And the sense is, You may now forgive him. He has not only been sufficiently punished, and he has not only evinced suitable penitence, but also another object which I had in view has been accomplished. I desired to see whether you were, as a church, disposed to be obedient. That object, also, has been accomplished. And now, since everything aimed at in the case of discipline has been secured, you may forgive him, and should, without hesitation, again receive him to the bosom of the church.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. For to this end also did I write] , I have written this also, the advices and commands which I now give you, that I might know whether ye be obedient in all things.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
As for other ends, so for this also I wrote my former Epistle to you, and I now write this Second Epistle to you also, that I might have an experiment of you, what regard you would show to that apostolical authority wherewith God hath invested me.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. ForAdditional reason whythey should restore the offender, namely, as a “proof” oftheir obedience “in all things”; now in love, aspreviously in punishing (2Co2:6), at the apostle’s desire. Besides his other reasons fordeferring his visit, he had the further view, though, perhaps,unperceived by them, of making an experiment of their fidelity. Thisaccounts for his deferring to give, in his Epistle, the reasonfor his change of plan (resolved on before writing it). This fulldiscovery of his motive comes naturally from him now, in the secondEpistle, after he had seen the success of his measures, but would nothave been a seasonable communication before. All this accords withreality, and is as remote as possible from imposture [PALEY,Hor Paulin]. The interchange of feeling is marked (2Co2:4), “I wrote . . . that ye might know the love,”&c.: here, “I did write, that I might know the proofof you.“
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For to this end also did I write,…. Or “I have written”, both in this and in his former epistle to them, and in both with this view,
that I might know the proof of you; that he might try, prove, and know them:
whether ye be obedient in all things; he wrote unto them in his former epistle, to put away that wicked man from them; which he did not do, merely to reproach the man, and fix a brand of infamy on him; nor merely to grieve and afflict their minds; nor only to show his own power and authority, which he as an apostle had received from Christ, but to make trial of their obedience; and he had had a proof of it in their rejection of him; and now he writes unto them, that since this man was truly humbled for his sin, and had repentance unto life not to be repented of, that they would as cheerfully receive him, and restore him to his place; that as the apostle had a proof of their obedience in the one, he might also have in the other, and so in all things: hence it appears, that though it belongs to the whole church, and that only, to reject or receive members, yet as ministers of the Gospel are set over the churches, to govern, guide, direct, and go before in matters of discipline; so whatever they propose, according to the rule of God’s word, ought to be carefully attended to and obeyed.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
That I might know the proof of you ( ). Ingressive second aorist active subjunctive, come to know. is proof by testing. Late word from and is in Dioscorides, medical writer in reign of Hadrian. Earliest use in Paul and only in him in N.T. (2Cor 2:9; 2Cor 8:2; 2Cor 9:13; 2Cor 13:3; Rom 5:4; Phil 2:22).
Obedient (). Old word from , to give ear. In N.T. only in Paul (2Cor 2:9; Phil 2:8; Acts 7:39).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
The proof of you [ ] . See on Rom 5:4. Your tried quality. See on 1Pe 1:7. Compare Phi 2:22.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “For to this end also did I write,” (eis touto gar kai egrapsa) “For it was to this end also I wrote;” for this purpose I wrote you, to stir you to mercy as well as to discipline; mercy too is a Christian virtue, Mat 5:7.
2) “That I might know the proof of you,” (hina gno ten dokimen humon) “In order that I might recognize the proof (evidence) of you;” Mat 5:15-16; Mat 6:14-15.
3) “Whether ye be obedient in all things,” (ei eis panta hupekooi este) “whether you all are obedient in all things;” the keeping of the things of Christ, as delivered by Paul, 1Co 11:1-2; Jas 1:22; Joh 15:14.
FORGIVENESS IN PROOF OF OBEDIENCE
“As he who stands by and sees another commit murder without giving an alarm is accounted accessory to the murder; or as he who sees a blind man running into a pit, in which he is drowned, and makes no effort to save him, is guilty of death; so is he who sees his brother kill his soul without an effort to prevent it.”
– Cawdray
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
9. For I had written to you also for this purpose. He anticipates an objection, that they might bring forward. “What then did you mean, when you were so very indignant, because we had not inflicted punishment upon him? From being so stern a judge, to become all at once a defender — is not this indicative of a man, that wavers between conflicting dispositions?” (324) This idea might detract greatly from Paul’s authority; but he answers, that he has obtained what he asked, and that he was therefore satisfied, so that he must now give way to compassion. For, their carelessness having been corrected, there was nothing to hinder their lifting up the man by their clemency, when now prostrate and downcast. (325)
(324) “ D’vn homme inconstant, et qui est mené de contraires affections;” — “Of a man that is unsteady, and is influenced by conflicting dispositions.”
(325) “ Ce poure homme le voyans bien confus et abbatu;” — “This poor man, on seeing him much abashed and overcome.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) For to this end also did I write . . .The tense of the Greek verb, which may be what is known as the Epistolary aorist, used by the writer of the time at which he writes, would not be decisive as to what is referred to, and the words may mean: I write to you thus to see whether you are as obedient now as you were beforein one line of action as in the other. If he refers to the First Epistle, it is to intimate that he gave the directions in 1Co. 5:3-7, not only for the removal of a scandal and the reformation of the offender who had caused it, but as a test of their obedience. On the whole, the former interpretation seems preferable. It scarcely seems like St. Paul to make the punishment a trial of obedience. There is a characteristic subtle delicacy of thought in his suggesting that, having shown obedience in punishing they should show it also in forgiving.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. For St. Paul now indicates that the entire object of his commands in the first epistle touching the incestuous one is accomplished. Besides the salvation and restoration, by wholesome severity and mercy, of the criminal’s soul, he also sought proof whether the Church would be obedient to its apostle. This was a most momentous test; for, otherwise, they also were criminal with the incestuous criminal. There were both a fallen man and a fallen Church.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Because for this purpose also I wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.’
He assures them that the main reason that he had written the severe letter to them was not in order to obtain punishment for the man, but so that he could test out their own obedience to him as an Apostle, ‘in all things’, not just what they chose to accept. That was what really mattered. He was not out for revenge. Rather he had wanted to find out if they would again respond to his authority and follow his instructions about everything he had written. And it had turned out well.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Co 2:9 . 2Co 2:9-10 are not to be placed in a parenthesis, nor 2Co 2:9 alone (Flatt); but the discourse proceeds without interruption. 2Co 2:9 , namely, begins to furnish grounds for the , and, first of all, from the aim of the former Epistle , which aim (in reference to the relation to the incestuous person in the case of most of them at least) was attained, so that now nothing on this point stood in the way of the . . . “Correcta enim eorum segnitie nihil jam obstabat, quominus hominem prostratum et jacentem sua mansuetudine erigerent,” Calvi.
] points to the following . . ., comp. 2Co 2:1 . It is: for this end in order that, et.
is not to be translated as if it stood: (Flatt, following the older commentators), but as, rightly, in the Vulgate: “ ideo enim et scripsi .” The , however, cannot be intended to mark the agreement with the present admonition (Hofmann), because Paul does not quote what he had written; but it opposes the written to the oral communication (comp. 2Co 7:12 ), and rests on the conception: I have not confined myself merely to oral directions (through your returning delegates), but what should bind you all the more to observance
I have also written . This , however, does not apply to the present Epistle (Chrysostom, Theodoret, Theophylact, Erasmus, Menochius, Wolf, Bengel, Heumann, Schulz, Morus, Olshausen, and others), but, as the whole context shows (comp. 2Co 2:3-4 ), to our first Epistle. [143]
.] your tried quality (2Co 8:2 , 2Co 9:13 , 2Co 13:3 ; Rom 5:4 ; Phi 2:22 ), i.e. here, according to the following epexegesis, . : your assured submissiveness to me . The aim here stated of the first Epistle was, among its several aims (comp. 2Co 2:3-4 ), the very one, which presented itself here from the point of view of the connectio.
] in reference to everything , in every respect, therefore also in regard to my punitive measure against the incestuous man. Comp. phrases such as (Plato, Charm . p. 158 A), and the like; is here emphatic.
[143] On the supposition of a lost intermediate Epistle, this must have been the one meant; see Ewald. Comp. on ver. 3, 2Co 7:12 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
Ver. 9. Whether ye be obedient ] First to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God,2Co 8:52Co 8:5 . ConferHeb 13:17Heb 13:17 ; Isa 50:10 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
9 .] Reason why they should now be ready to shew love to him again, the end of Paul’s writing to them having been accomplished by their obeying his order. For to this end I also wrote : the signifying that my former epistle, as well as my present exhortation, tended to this, viz. the testing your obedience . Meyer (Exo 2 ) explains the as implying that other orders to the same effect were sent by word of mouth. He alludes beyond doubt to the former Epistle, ch. 5. Yet the ancient Commentators, Chrys., &c., and Erasm., Wolf, Bengel, al. (not Olsh., as De Wette says), interpret it of this Epistle : which certainly is grammatically allowable (see 1Co 5:9 , note), but opposed to the context (see 2Co 2:3-4 , besides the manifest sense here, that the object of his writing had been accomplished) . That I might know the proof of you, whether in all things (emphatic) ye are obedient . This was that one among the various objects of his first Epistle, which belonged to the matter at present in hand, and which he therefore puts forward: not by any means implying that he had no other view in writing it.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Co 2:9 . . . .: for to this end also did I write, viz., that I might know the proof of you, whether ye were obedient in all things; i.e. , his object in writing the former letter (1 Cor. ) was not only the reformation of the offender, but the testing of the Corinthians’ acceptance of his apostolic authority ( cf. 2Co 7:12 ). For the constr. cf. Rom 14:9 . It is hard to decide between the readings , “whether,” or , “whereby” (see crit. note); but the general sense is the same in both cases. A comparison of this verse with 2Co 7:12 has led some critics to doubt whether chaps. 2 and 7 really refer at all to the offender of 1Co 5:1 ; for the expressed object of St. Paul’s communication was to prove the loyalty of the Corinthians to himself. And thus it is supposed that the individual in view is some bitter personal opponent of St. Paul (see Tertullian, de Pudic. xiii. f.). But 2Co 2:5-9 seem quite consecutive, and we find it more natural to interpret 2Co 2:5 in reference to 1Co 5:1 ff; 1Co 7:12 seems clearly to distinguish from St. Paul himself (see Introd. , p. 15).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
to this end for (Greek. eie) this.
also did I write = did I write also.
proof. Greek. dokime. See Rom 5:4 (experience).
whether = if. App-118.
obedient. Greek hupikoos. See Act 7:39.
in. Greek. eis, no above.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
9.] Reason why they should now be ready to shew love to him again,-the end of Pauls writing to them having been accomplished by their obeying his order. For to this end I also wrote: the signifying that my former epistle, as well as my present exhortation, tended to this, viz. the testing your obedience. Meyer (ed. 2) explains the as implying that other orders to the same effect were sent by word of mouth. He alludes beyond doubt to the former Epistle, ch. 5. Yet the ancient Commentators, Chrys., &c., and Erasm., Wolf, Bengel, al. (not Olsh., as De Wette says), interpret it of this Epistle: which certainly is grammatically allowable (see 1Co 5:9, note), but opposed to the context (see 2Co 2:3-4, besides the manifest sense here, that the object of his writing had been accomplished). That I might know the proof of you, whether in all things (emphatic) ye are obedient. This was that one among the various objects of his first Epistle, which belonged to the matter at present in hand, and which he therefore puts forward: not by any means implying that he had no other view in writing it.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Co 2:9. ) not only I write, but I also did write.- , the proof) whether you are genuine, loving, obedient sons.[12]- , in all things) in reproof [2Co 2:6], and in love.
[12] See Tit 1:4.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Co 2:9
2Co 2:9
For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you,-One end of his writing of the difficulty instead of coming in person was to test their readiness to obey the will of God in all things, even where their personal friends were involved.
whether ye are obedient in all things.-He found them obedient, and so was filled with joy. This shows that the conclusion under verse 6 is correct.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
that: 2Co 7:12-15, 2Co 8:24, Exo 16:4, Deu 8:2, Deu 8:16, Deu 13:3, Phi 2:22
whether: 2Co 7:15, 2Co 10:6, Phi 2:12, 2Th 3:14, Phm 1:21
Reciprocal: Jer 35:5 – Drink Rom 16:10 – approved 1Co 5:4 – when 2Co 7:5 – fears 2Co 7:7 – when 2Th 3:4 – that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Co 2:9. Did I write has reference to the first epistle to the Corinthians. The Philippians were especially ready to do their duty even when the apostle was not present (Php 2:12), and he concluded to make a test of the faithfulness of the brethren in Corinth, by remaining away long enough to see their reaction to the written instructions of the first epistle.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Co 2:9. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all thingsnot only for the mans good and the preservation of church purity, but also to test their obedience to spiritual authority.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, 1. Our apostle declares what was his in writing his former epistle to them, namely, this amongst others, to exercise their obedience, and to make trial what regard they would show to his apostolical authority; whether they would be as obedient to his directions in absolving of penitents, as they were before in inflicting church-censures upon bold offenders. For this end did I write, that I might have a proof of you.
Observe, 2. The apostle declares his own forwardness to forgive penitent offenders himself, as well as makes known his desires that they should do it: Whom ye forgive, I forgive also, in the person of Christ; that is, as you forgive him, so do I: and I absolve him by Christ’s authority, as I excommunicated him in Christ’s name, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. 1Co 5:4
As he delivered the incestuous person to Satan in the name of Christ, so in the name and person of Christ he releases him, and relaxes the sentence against him. The power of excommunication and absolution, of binding and loosing, of casting out, and receiving into the church, is by Christ committed to church-governors, who are to execute this power in the person of Christ; that is, in the name and by the authority of Christ.
Observe, 3. The arguments with which, and the motive by which, he presses the church at Corinth to forgive the incestuous person, and to re-admit him into their society: lest Satan get an advantage of us.
What advantage?
Ans. An advantage to lead them into sin thus, by their their abusing that power which God had given them for edification, to the destruction of a person, by making them guilty of spiritual murder by their over rigorous proceeding against him, by driving him to despair, by tempting him to apostasy. Satan sometimes, by too great slackness of discipline, seeks to lull sinners asleep in the bosom of the church; and sometimes, by too great severity, endeavours to drive them to despair.
The force of the apostle’s words lies thus: I advise you to continue the severity of discipline no longer towards this penitent offender, but receive him again into your communion with all tenderness and speed, lest Satan should circumvent you, and overeach you, and make use of your rigour to your own ruin, by rendering your doctrine hateful, and your discipline detestable: for we are not ignorant of his devices, his contrivances, plots, and stratagems laid against us.
Learn hence, 1. That Satan is a master in the art of deceiving souls: he is full, very full, of cunning methods and devices to circumvent persons, and catch them in the net of his deceits.
Learn, 2. That it concerns all persons, but especially the ministers of the gospel, to be well acquainted with, and not ignorant of, any devices or plots of Satan. Satan has a multitude of devices, by which he undoes, entangles, and deceives souls; and no Christian ought to be ignorant of them, lest he be circumvented and undone by them. Many are his devices for drawing us into sin, for drawing us off from duty, for drawing us into temptation, for drowning us in despair: our wisdom will be not to dispute, but to resist; for by resisting, our temptations will be fewer, and our strength greater, Jam 4:7 Resist the devil, and he will fly.
Where note, That the promise of conquest is made to resisting, not disputing with Satan: to parley with him, is the way to be overcome by him.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things. [This shows that Paul had made his instructions concerning the incestuous man a test. If they obeyed him, in this, he could come to them bringing joy: if they disobeyed, their condition would call for further delay and more letters on his part. Where, then, is laid bare before the Corinthians the inner thoughts which were governing the actions of the apostle at the time when he was penning the fifth chapter of his first epistle. They could see now for themselves that their own foolish conduct, and not the fickleness of the apostle, had caused the delay and the change of plan; that so far as the apostle was concerned, he had always intended to visit them, and that all his statements about his visits had been made in good faith. Observe that as the apostle had become the leader in punishment or discipline, he here becomes the leader in forgiveness.]
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
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 (2Co 2:3-4).