2 Corinthians 2:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He no longer commands, but asks, not as a teacher, but as an equal. Having allowed them to sit on the judge's seat, he himself took the place of an advocate.

Since he had already attained what he wished, his joy made him know no measure in humility.

What do you ask, tell me? "Show love toward him," that is, "Confirm love toward him." Receive him with firm love, not merely in a casual way.

By saying this, the Apostle again attributes to them the greatest virtue.

The very ones who before so loved the sinner and defended him that they even boasted of it turned away from him to such a degree.

It cost Paul great labor to make them receive him with firm love.

He no longer commands as a teacher, but as an advocate he asks the judges to show him love. That means to receive him with strong love, not merely casually or as it happens. He also shows their virtue, for the very ones who had formerly loved the man so much that they boasted of him now, because of his sin, conceived such aversion toward him that Paul himself intercedes for him.

Therefore I also entreat you to confirm your love toward him, the love from which you had turned away from him for a long time.

"Confirm," kyrosai, means to give a decisive decree and to sign what is being confirmed.

Perhaps the Apostle also means that by a common sentence they should restore their love to him. Or perhaps he only wishes to indicate that this love should be firm, full, and irrevocable.

He speaks as though saying: "Join the member to the body, return the sheep to the flock, show warm affection toward him" (Theodoret).

"He no longer commands, but asks the Corinthians, not as a teacher, but as an equal. Having allowed them to sit on the judge's seat, he himself took the place of an advocate.

For since he had already attained what he wished, his joy made him know no measure in humility.