2 Corinthians 2:8

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Corinthians 2:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Wherefore I beseech you to confirm [your] love toward him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Wherefore I beseech you to confirm [your] love toward him.
2 Corinthians 2:8 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Corinthians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Wherefore I beseech you to confirm [your] love toward him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore I beseech you, etc..] Or exhort you: that ye would confirm your love towards him: express your love to him in the most kind and tender manner, show the same, and as strong love to him as you did before, and as if he had never offended; receive him as a brother in the most affectionate manner, and embrace him with the most endearing expressions of respect and friendship; and let your reception of him in this kind and friendly way be with the full consent, and by the joint vote and suffrage of the whole church, for so the word translated “confirm” signifies; for as the ejection of a person out of a church must be done by the decree and vote of the church, or it is not authentic, so…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“confirm your love toward him--by giving effect in act, and showing in deeds your love; namely, by restoring him to your fellowship and praying for his recovering from the sickness penally inflicted on him.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him - The word rendered here as “confirm” (κυρῶσαι kurōsai) occurs in the New Testament only here and in Galatians 3:15. It means to give authority, to establish as valid, to confirm; and here means that they should give strong expressions and assurances of their love to him; that they should pursue such a course as would leave no room for doubt in regard to it. Tyndale has well rendered it: “Wherefore I exhort you that love may halve strength over him.” Paul referred, doubtless, here to some public act of the church by which the sentence of excommunication might be removed, and by which the offender might have a public…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that: Gal 5:13, Gal 6:1, Gal 6:2, Gal 6:10; Jde 1:22, Jde 1:23 2 Corinthians 2:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification