The contribution to the binding energy of a two-body system due to the cros
sed two-boson exchange contribution is calculated, using the Bethe-Salpeter
equation. This is done for distinguishable, scalar particles interacting v
ia the exchange of scalar massive bosons. The sensitivity of the results to
the off-shell behaviour of the operator accounting for this contribution i
s discussed. Large corrections to the Bethe-Salpeter results in the ladder
approximation are found. For neutral scalar bosons, the mass obtained for t
he two-body system is close to what has been calculated with various forms
of the instantaneous approximation, including the standard non-relativistic
approach. The specific character of this result is demonstrated by a calcu
lation involving charged bosons, which evidences a quite different pattern.
Our results explain for some part those obtained by Nieuwenhuis and Tjon o
n a different basis. Some differencies appear with increasing coupling cons
tants, suggesting the existence of sizeable contributions involving more th
an exchanges.