2 Corinthians 13:9

For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. WE ARE GLAD - Greek, 'rejoice.' So far are we from grieving. WHEN WE ARE WEAK - you giving no occasion by disobedience for displaying our power; so we seeming "weak," being compassed with "infirmities" (2 Corinthians 10:10; 2 Corinthians 11:29). YE ARE STRONG - "mighty" in faith and the fruits of the Spirit. AND, [ de (G1161)]. So C. Not in 'Aleph (') A B Delta f g, Vulgate. WE WISH - Greek, 'pray for.' YOUR PERFECTION, ...

9._For, we rejoice. _Either the causal particle γὰρ, (_for,_) must be taken as meaning — _therefore; _or it is a second reason, why he does not refuse to be regarded as a _reprobate _— for their sake, and with a view to their advantage. Let the reader select whichever he may choose, for it is of no consequence. (963) When he says, _Provided you are strong, I shall willingly submit to be reckoned weak, _there is an antithesis in the words — not in the meaning; for _weakness _means here, as formerly, (2 Corinthians 13:4,) _contempt. _On the other hand, he means that the Corinthians will be _strong, _if they are full of the power and grace of God. _And this also, _He now again repeats, what he had already stated several times, that he was from necessity — not from his own

7-10 The most desirable thing we can ask of God, for ourselves and our friends, is to be kept from sin, that we and they may not do evil. We have far more need to pray that we may not do evil, than that we may not suffer evil. The apostle not only desired that they might be kept from sin, but also that they might grow in grace, and increase in holiness. We are earnestly to pray to God for those we caution, that they may cease to do evil, and learn to do well; and we should be glad for others to be strong in the grace of Christ, though it may be the means of showing our own weakness. let us also pray that we may be enabled to make a proper use of all our talents....

Verse 2 Corinthians 13:9. _FOR WE ARE GLAD, WHEN WE ARE WEAK_] It will give me indescribable pleasure that I should still appear to be _poor,_ _despicable_, and _destitute of this extraordinary power_ with which God has clothed me, so that you _be strong_ in all the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. _AND THIS ALSO WE WISH_, EVEN _YOUR PERFECTION._] We cannot be satisfied that persons, with such eminent endowments, and who have once received the truth as it is in Jesus, should be deficient in any of the graces that constitute the mind of Christ; such as brotherly love, charity, harmony, unity, and order. I have given the above paraphrase to this verse, because of the last term καταρτισιν, which we render _perfection_. καταρτισις, from κατα, _intensive_, and αρτιζω, to _fit_ or adapt

FOR WE ARE GLAD WHEN WE ARE WEAK ... - We rejoice in your welfare, and are willing to submit to self-denial and to infirmity if it may promote your spiritual strength. In the connection in which this stands it seems to mean, “I am content to appear weak, provided you do no wrong; I am willing not to have occasion to exercise my power in punishing offenders, and had rather lie under the reproach of being actually weak, than to have occasion to exercise my power by punishing you for wrongdoing; and provided you are strong in the faith and in the hope of the gospel, I am very willing, nay, I rejoice that I am under this necessity of appearing weak.” AND THIS ALSO WE WISH - I desire this in addition to your doing no evil. EVEN YOUR PERFECTION - The word used here (κατάρτισις katartisis) occurs nowhere else in

CONCLUDING APPEALS AND EXHORTATIONS, EXPOSITION 2 CORINTHIANS 13:1 THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I AM COMING TO YOU. I have thrice formed the intention, though the second time I had to forego my plan (2 Corinthians 1:15). IN THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES. The quotation is from Deuteronomy 19:15. It has been explained as a reference to _examinations _which he intended to hold on his arrival at Corinth. It is much more probable that St. Paul is representing his separate visits as separate _attestations _to the truths which he preache

FOR WE ARE GLAD WHEN WE ARE WEAK,.... Appear to be so, look like persons disarmed of all power and authority; the apostles rejoiced when they had no occasion of exerting themselves, and of exercising that high office, and extraordinary commission they had received of Christ Jesus: AND YE ARE STRONG; stand fast in the doctrine of faith, and are lively and active in the exercise of the grace of faith; are strong in Christ, and in his grace, and in the power of his might, to withstand every temptation of Satan, every corruption of their own hearts, and to perform every duty aright. AND THIS ALSO WE WISH, EVEN YOUR PERFECTION; or restoration, or jointing in again; a metaphor taken from the setting of bones that are dislocated and out of joint; for the church at Corinth was like a disjointed body, and the apostle's wish was, that their animosities might cease, their divisions be healed, the...

PERFECTION Perfecting. (_ See Scofield) - (Matthew 5:48). _...

4. STILL ABSENT - YET COMING. THE CONCLUSION. CHAPTER 13 _ 1. Being Absent; Expecting to Come. (2 Corinthians 13:1 .)_ 2. The Conclusion. (2 Corinthians 13:11 .) He speaks in conclusion of his coming to them. “This third time I am coming to you.” And when he comes again he will not spare them. He reminds them once more of their doubtings about Christ speaking in him and using him as an apostle. They themselves were proof of this. If it were that Christ had not spoken to them through him (by preaching the Gospel), then Christ also did not dwell in them. But if Christ really was in them then it was an evidence that Christ had spoken by him. Notice that part of the third verse and the fourth verse are parenthetical. Leaving out the parenthetical words

WARNINGS IN VIEW OF A VISIT. This closing chapter starts from a vivid realisation of that which is only too likely to be the situation when he arrives for the third time. With increased emphasis, and added detail, he reiterates his solemn warning, and with biting irony turns against his adversaries one of the sarcastic demands they level at him. They ask for proof that Christ speaks in him. They shall have it (_cf._ Isaiah 28:9 ff.). Christ will show Himself not weak among them, as they have reckoned His apostle, but powerful for judgment. His experience, dying to reign, will repeat itself in Paul, who has already put this interpretation on his own weakness, that in it he fills up that which is lacking of the sufferings of Christ. Let them examine themselves whether they are truly Christians; let them get back the primal Christian experience, and ascertain whether Christ is really in the...