2 Corinthians 8:24

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὖν Wherefore G3767
οὖν Wherefore
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 2 of 19
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἔνδειξιν the proof G1732
ἔνδειξιν the proof
Strong's: G1732
Word #: 3 of 19
indication (abstractly)
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπης love G26
ἀγάπης love
Strong's: G26
Word #: 5 of 19
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
ὑμῶν of your G5216
ὑμῶν of your
Strong's: G5216
Word #: 6 of 19
of (from or concerning) you
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 7 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡμῶν of our G2257
ἡμῶν of our
Strong's: G2257
Word #: 8 of 19
of (or from) us
καυχήσεως boasting G2746
καυχήσεως boasting
Strong's: G2746
Word #: 9 of 19
boasting (properly, the act; by implication, the object), in a good or a bad sense
ὑπὲρ behalf G5228
ὑπὲρ behalf
Strong's: G5228
Word #: 10 of 19
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
ὑμῶν of your G5216
ὑμῶν of your
Strong's: G5216
Word #: 11 of 19
of (from or concerning) you
εἰς before G1519
εἰς before
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 12 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
αὐτοὺς them G846
αὐτοὺς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 13 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐνδειξασθε shew ye G1731
ἐνδειξασθε shew ye
Strong's: G1731
Word #: 14 of 19
to indicate (by word or act)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς before G1519
εἰς before
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 16 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
πρόσωπον G4383
πρόσωπον
Strong's: G4383
Word #: 17 of 19
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 18 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησιῶν the churches G1577
ἐκκλησιῶν the churches
Strong's: G1577
Word #: 19 of 19
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth

Analysis & Commentary

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf—Paul concludes chapter 8 with direct appeal: tēn oun endeixin tēs agapēs hymōn (τὴν οὖν ἔνδειξιν τῆς ἀγάπης ὑμῶν, 'therefore the proof of your love') and tēs hēmōn kauchēseōs hyper hymōn (τῆς ἡμῶν καυχήσεως ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, 'our boasting about you'), show (endeixasthe, ἐνδείξασθε, 'demonstrate/display') eis autous kai eis prosōpon tōn ekklēsiōn ('to them and before the face of the churches'). The word endeixin (ἔνδειξιν, 'proof/evidence/demonstration') requires visible action, not private intention.

Paul's dual motivation is brilliant rhetoric:

  1. demonstrate love—complete the collection to prove their agapē genuine, not empty profession
  2. vindicate Paul's boasting—he's publicly praised Corinth to Macedonians (9:2), so Corinthian follow-through validates his credibility.

The phrase eis prosōpon tōn ekklēsiōn ('before the face of the churches') indicates public demonstration—other churches are watching. This isn't manipulation but appropriate use of peer accountability and reputation. Paul concludes chapter 8 having used every legitimate motivator: Christ's example (v. 9), their own prior commitment (v. 10), Macedonian example (v. 1-5), equality principle (v. 14), and now personal honor. He leaves them with clear, unavoidable challenge: demonstrate your love publicly by completing what you started.

Historical Context

The phrase 'before the churches' indicates inter-church communication networks in the first century. Churches watched each other, learned from each other, and held each other accountable. Corinthian reputation mattered because Christianity spread through credible community testimony. If Corinth proved ungenerous after Paul's public commendation, it would damage both their witness and Paul's apostolic credibility.

Questions for Reflection

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