2 Corinthians 2 · Verse 9

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.
2 Corinthians 2:9, King James Version

2 Corinthians 2:9 in other translations

BSBMy purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
WEBFor to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.
ASVFor to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things.
YLTfor, for this also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether in regard to all things ye are obedient.
DARBYFor to this end also I have written, that I might know, by putting you to the test, if as to everything ye are obedient.
BBEAnd for the same reason I sent you a letter so that I might be certain of your desire to do my orders in all things.
WebsterFor to this end also I wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things.

What does 2 Corinthians 2:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. For--Additional reason why they should restore the offender, namely, as a "proof" of their obedience "in all things"; now in love, as previously in punishing (2Co 2:6), at the apostle's desire. Besides his other reasons for deferring his visit, he had the further view, though, perhaps, unperceived by them, of making an experiment of their fidelity. This accounts for his deferring to give, in his Epistle, the reason for his change of plan (resolved on before writing it). This full discovery of his motive comes naturally from him now, in the second Epistle, after he had seen the success of his measures, but would not have been a seasonable communication before. All this accords with reality, and is as remote as possible from imposture [Paley, Horæ Paulinæ]. The interchange of feeling is marked (2Co 2:4), "I wrote ... that ye might know the love," &c.: here, "I did write, that I might know the proof of you."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 9. 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 hot 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."

(b) "obedient" 2Cor 7:15

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 For to this end also did I write - Εγραψα, 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

The apostle desires them to receive the person who had done wrong, again into their communion; for he was aware of his fault, and much afflicted under his punishment. Even sorrow for sin should not unfit for other duties, and drive to despair. Not only was there danger last Satan should get advantage, by tempting the penitent to hard thoughts of God and religion, and so drive him to despair; but against the churches…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 →

2 Corinthians 2:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἰςeisForG1519
τοῦτοtoutothisG3778
γὰρgarindeedG1063
καὶkaialsoG2532
ἔγραψα,egrapsadid I write,G1125
ἵναinaso thatG2443
γνῶgnōI may knowG1097
τὴνtēntheG3588
δοκιμὴνdokimēnproofG1382
ὑμῶν,humōnof you,G4771
εἰeiwhetherG1487
εἰςeistoG1519
πάνταpantaeverythingG3956
ὑπήκοοίhupēkooiobedientG5255
ἐστε.esteyou are.G1510

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 2:9

  • 2 Corinthians 10:6

    And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

  • Philemon 1:21

    Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

  • Philippians 2:22

    But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:12-15

    Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:24

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

  • Philippians 2:12

    Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

  • Deuteronomy 13:3

    Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

  • Deuteronomy 8:2

    And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

  • Exodus 16:4

    Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:14

    And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

  • Deuteronomy 8:16

    Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that.
7:12-15; 8:24; Ex 16:4; De 8:2,16; 13:3; Php 2:22
whether.
7:15; 10:6; Php 2:12; 2Th 3:14; Phm 1:21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 2:8

    Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

  • 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.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:10

    To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

Read all of 2 Corinthians 2

2 Corinthians 2:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Porque también por este fin os escribí, para tener experiencia de vosotros si sois obedientes en todo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Car c’est aussi pour cela que je vous ai écrit, afin que je connaisse, à l’épreuve, si vous êtes obéissants en toutes choses.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Denn dazu habe ich auch geschrieben, auf daß ich eure Bewährung kennen lerne, ob ihr in allem gehorsam seid.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Ideo enim et scripsi, ut cognoscam experimentum vestrum, an in omnibus obedientes sitis.