What Does 2 Corinthians 2:9 Mean in the King James?

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 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The proof of a person is the character testing brings into view when hearing becomes response.

THE MEANING

This verse meets you in the present: your hearing takes shape in your response across all things, and testing makes the quality of that response visible. Being known here means being recognized through that lived response.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie that agreement alone proves your responsiveness dissolves here; the verse locates proof in the answer your hearing produces across all things.

THE ROOT

δοκιμή

dokimē

GROWS FROM

δοκιμ-

dokim-

Tested genuineness: what is shown to be sound through examination.

The Greek word points to proven character, the quality that becomes evident after testing. Here, the proof of you comes into view in whether your hearing produces a response across all things.

ALSO GROWS

dokimazō: To test, examine, or approve after testing.

δοκιμάζω

This verb makes the testing inside “proof” visible: the verse concerns character examined through response.

dokimos: Tested, approved, genuine.

δόκιμος

This describes what has been shown sound through testing, illuminating the character the verse calls your “proof.”

ὑπήκοοι

hypēkooi

GROWS FROM

⁨ἀκούω⁩ (akouō), within ⁨ὑπακούω⁩ (hypakouō), from ⁨ὑπό⁩ (hypo) + ⁨ἀκούω⁩ (akouō)

To hear or listen; in this compound, to listen under and respond.

“obedient” in this verse is hypēkooi. Obedience here carries the shape of hearing that answers, so the test reaches beyond stated conviction to living response. “In all things” keeps that responsive hearing in view across the whole of life.

ALSO GROWS

hypakoē: Responsive hearing; obedience.

ὑπακοή

This noun carries the same compound sense as “obedient,” showing how listening becomes an answer.

akoē: Hearing or a report heard.

ἀκοή

This branch brings the hearing within obedience back into view: the verse asks whether hearing becomes a response.

γνῶ

gnō

GROWS FROM

γινώσκω

ginōskō

To know or recognize through encounter.

The verb speaks of coming to know, not merely holding information. Beside “proof,” it shows knowing through the way tested character becomes recognizable in response.

ALSO GROWS

gnōsis: Knowledge or recognition.

γνῶσις

This noun shares the knowing family and helps clarify that the verse concerns knowing what is shown in a person’s response.

epiginōskō: To recognize or know fully.

ἐπιγινώσκω

This related verb emphasizes recognition, echoing the verse’s aim to know what the testing reveals.

THE PATTERN

What is genuine becomes visible as it passes through testing.

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

Proverbs 17:3 · KJVThe heart, like silver and gold, is revealed through testing.

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Romans 5:4 · KJVTested character appears as experience and becomes a way through to hope.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 1:7 · KJVThe trial makes the genuineness of trust visible, like gold tested by fire.

THE THREAD

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Romans 5:4 · KJV

The Greek word translated “proof” here appears as “experience” in Romans 5:4: ⁨δοκιμή⁩ (dokimē), tested character shown genuine. Romans traces that tested character into hope, opening “proof” as a quality revealed as you pass through testing.

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