“For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 2:9 Mean?
"For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things." Paul reveals the PURPOSE behind his earlier painful letter (2:3-4): he wrote to TEST the Corinthians — to discover their PROOF, to see if they would be OBEDIENT in ALL THINGS. The letter wasn't just correction. It was a DIAGNOSTIC — designed to reveal the Corinthians' character through their RESPONSE. The writing was the test. The response was the grade.
The phrase "that I might know the proof of you" (hina gnō tēn dokimēn hymōn — that I might know your proof/test/proven character) treats the Corinthians' response as EVIDENCE: the dokimē (proof, testing, the quality that emerges through testing) is what Paul wants to SEE. The word comes from metallurgy — the testing of metal through fire to prove its QUALITY. Paul's letter is the fire. The Corinthians' response is the metal. The quality revealed is the proof.
The "obedient in all things" (eis panta hypakooi este — in all things obedient you are) sets the STANDARD at comprehensive: not obedient in SOME things. In ALL things. The test isn't whether the Corinthians obey when it's convenient. It's whether they obey COMPREHENSIVELY — in every area, on every issue, regarding every instruction. The 'all things' eliminates selective obedience.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What test has revealed your proof — and was the obedience comprehensive or selective?
- 2.What does the metallurgy image (testing metal through fire) teach about how character is proven?
- 3.How does testing through a LETTER (distance, space, time) model wise leadership?
- 4.What 'all things' obedience is the current test requiring of you?
Devotional
I wrote to TEST you — to see your PROOF, to know if you'd be obedient in ALL THINGS. The letter wasn't just correction. It was a DIAGNOSTIC. The writing was the test. Your response was the evidence. The quality that emerges through testing — that's what I wanted to see.
The 'proof of you' treats the Corinthians like METAL being tested: the word dokimē comes from metallurgy — the testing of ore through fire to reveal the quality of the metal. The impurities burn away. The genuine remains. Paul's painful letter was the FIRE. The Corinthians' response was the metal that emerged. The proof is what SURVIVES the testing. The character is what REMAINS after the fire.
The 'obedient in all things' sets the bar at COMPREHENSIVE: not 'obedient in the easy things.' Not 'obedient in the convenient areas.' In ALL things. The test isn't partial obedience. It's TOTAL obedience — the kind that follows through in every area, that responds to correction across the full spectrum, that says 'yes' to the hard instructions as well as the easy ones.
The testing-through-writing is a LEADERSHIP METHOD: Paul doesn't test the Corinthians through a VISIT (which would be confrontational). He tests them through a LETTER (which gives them space to respond). The testing is MEASURED — delivered at distance, allowing time for processing, giving the community room to respond without the pressure of the apostle's physical presence. The wisdom is in the METHOD as much as in the MESSAGE.
What test has revealed your 'proof' — and was the obedience comprehensive or selective?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
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Cross References
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