Confirmation (a) The word ‘confirm’ in the NT sometimes represents στηρίζω or ἐ πιστηρίζω, used of the strengthening of Christians, of love, faith, etc., in Acts 14:22; Acts 15:32, Acts 15:41; cf. 18:23 (RV [Note: V Revised Version.] ‘stablish,’ AV [Note: V Authorized Version.] ‘strengthen’). στηρίζω is usually (about 12 times) translated ‘stablish’ or ‘establish’ (in Luke 16:26 it is used of the ‘fixing’ of a gulf).-(b) ‘Confirm’ and ‘confirmation’ are used to translate βεβαιόω and βεβαίωσις in Romans 15:8, 1 Corinthians 1:6, 1 Corinthians 1:8, Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 6:16, Philippians 1:7, ‘Mk’ 16:20, with the same meaning. The same Gr. verb is rendered ‘stablish’ or ‘establish’ in 2 Corinthians 1:21, Colossians 2:7, Hebrews 13:9 .-(c) ‘Confirm’ is also the word used for κυρόω or προκυρ ὁ ω in connexion with a covenant or will (Galatians 3:15, Galatians 3:17, which may refer to what we should call ‘registration’; See W. M. Ramsay, Hist. Com. on Galatians, 1899, p. 354); in 2 Corinthians 2:8 it is used of love.-(d) In Titus 3:8 διαβεβαιόω is translated ‘affirm.’ In Hebrews 6:17 μεσιτεύω is rendered in AV [Note: V Authorized Version.] ‘confirm,’ in RV [Note: V Revised Version.] and AVm [Note: Vm Authorized Version margin.] ‘interpose,’ in RVm [Note: Vm Revised Version margin.] ‘mediate.’
For the rite of confirmation, See Baptism, §§ 6, 8.
A. J. Maclean.