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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

2 Corinthians 13:9

The apostle may be understood two ways:

1. We are glad when we are weak; that is, when. have no occasion to manifest my apostolical power, in censuring any of you as offenders: But ye are strong; strong in faith, and fruitful in good works.

Or, 2. We are glad when we are weak, that is, when we are weakened by never so many sufferings and infirmities, provided you are made strong thereby:

For this is what we principally wish and endeavour, even your utmost perfection in knowledge, faith and holiness. Nothing is more desired by the zealous and faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, than to see their people strong in faith, fruitful in good works, persevering in well doing, yea, perfect in holiness and obedience: This we wish, nothing like it, even your perfection.

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See also 2 Corinthians 13:9 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    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_...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    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...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    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 comi...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    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...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    A WARNING, A WISH, A HOPE AND A BLESSING (2 Corinthians 13:1-14) 13 For the third time I am coming to you. Everything will be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses. To those who have alr...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    ALSO WE WISH. we pray for (Greek. _euchomai_. App-134.) also. PERFECTION. Greek. _katartisis._ Only here. Compare 2 Corinthians 13:11 and App-125....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    5–9. ‘Instead of seeking a proof of the Christ that speaketh in me (2 Corinthians 13:3), it is your own selves that you ought to be testing and proving, to see whether you are in the faith and Christ...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    1–10. The letter hastens to a conclusion. He reminds them, 1. what they have to expect from him in this third visit (1–4); 2. what they owe to themselves, seeing that their estimate of him and his tre...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟ ΚΑΊ (אABDFGP) rather than τοῦτο δὲ καί (א3D3KL). Chrys. inserts γάρ, 73 δή. 9. ΧΑΊΡΟΜΕΝ ΓΆΡ. This is not a second justification of 2 Corinthians 13:7, but a justification of 2 Corinthians 13:8....

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _DO NOTHING AGAINST THE TRUTH 2 CORINTHIANS 13:8-10:_ Paul's one desire was to follow the truth and not fight against it. Let us develop that same attitude that says, "We cannot do anything against th...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΌΤΑΝ (G3752) когда, когда бы ни. ΆΣΘΕΝΏΜΕΝ _praes. conj. act. от_ ΆΣΘΕΝΈΩ (G770) быть слабым, ΉΤ _praes. conj. act. от_ ΕΊΜΊ (G1510) быть, ΕΎΧΌΜΕΘΑ _praes. ind. med. (dep.) от_ ΕΎΧΟΜΑΙ (G2172) моли...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    WHEN WE ARE WEAK, &C.— "When we seem weak, by not exerting any miraculous power to the punishment of offenders; and ye are strong in gifts and graces, in faith and good works." The word καταρτισιν, re...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS SECTION 2 Maturation Through Self-Examination (2 Corinthians 13:5-10) 5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that J...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    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 oc...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    14 What a fund of fatherly affection is revealed in his protest, "I am not seeking _ yours _ but _ you_!" And it must have humbled them to think of their own lack of care and consideration. They deser...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    WHEN WE ARE WEAK] i.e. when our authority is in abeyance: cp. 2 Corinthians 13:4....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    The Apostle announces a third visit, and exhorts them to repentance. He expresses his desire for their growth in grace. PARAPHRASE. '(1) This is the third visit I am about to pay you. On this occasion...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    PARAPHRASE. 'We pray to God that you may lead a pure and holy life, not to do us credit, but because it is right, even though we be like false apostles. (8) For our authority is given us to advance wh...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD SHOWS HIS POWER WHEN WE ARE WEAK 2 CORINTHIANS _PHILIP SMITH_ CHAPTER 13 V1 This will be my third visit to you. If you accuse anyone, two or three witnesses must speak in evidence. V2 I said...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    FOR WE ARE GLAD, WHEN WE ARE WEAK... — The last words cover many shades of meaning. We may think of the weakness of his bodily presence, of his physical infirmities, of the apparent failure of his sup...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 28 CONCLUSION. 2 Corinthians 13:1 (R.V) THE first part of this chapter is in close connection with what precedes; it is, so to speak, the explanation of St. Paul's fear 2 Corinthians 12:20 t...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    2 Corinthians 13:1-10. IF HE COMES AGAIN, HE WILL NOT SPARE: CHRIST IS HIS STRENGTH: LET THE CORINTHIANS SEE TO IT THAT HE BE THEIRS ALSO....

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    χαίρομεν γὰρ κ. τ. λ.: _for we rejoice when we are weak and ye are strong, i.e._, in Christian graces. The primary reference is to that weakness which the non-exercise of Apostolic authority would see...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    HOW TO BE BUILT UP 2 Corinthians 13:7 None can really injure the truth or stop its victorious progress. As well try to stop the sunrise. We often help others most in our weakness, because then we rel...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    In view of his intention to visit them again the apostle urged them to personal examination. They were to test themselves, and to prove themselves whether they were in the faith. The reason for his ap...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    VERSE 9 Paul would gladly have them keep on thinking him weak and without authority, since that would mean he had not been required to discipline them....

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, [even] your (d) perfection. (d) That all things may be in good order among you, and the members of the church restored int...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _We rejoice that we have not made our power appear in punishing the wicked, and afflicting our enemies; we are glad that we appear to them to be weak; but we are particularly glad, when you live is su...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (6) But I trust that ye shall know tha...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    2 Corinthians 1:1-24. It is impossible to read the two epistles to the Corinthians with the smallest care without perceiving the strong contrast between the wounded tone of the first epistle (the hear...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _CHRISTIAN PERFECTION_ ‘This we also pray for, even your perfecting.’ 2 Corinthians 13:9 (R. V.) Times of revival are times of spiritual danger. Peril comes from two seemingly opposite quarters. On...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    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,...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    _ Commentary for this Chapter is probably included in the next or previous Chapter s._...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    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...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, _even_ your perfection. Ver. 9. _Even your perfection_] Or, your restoration, or joining again, καταρτισιν. His meaning is...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Now I pray God that ye do no evil_ To give me occasion of showing my apostolical power; _not that we should appear approved_ I desire not to appear approved by miraculously punishing you; _but that y...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    WE ARE GLAD; are willing, and even rejoice to appear weak, or to continue to be called so, if it is occasioned by your well-doing. YOUR PERFECTION; complete reformation and restoration to the faith a...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Paul appeals to his readers to stand approved of Christ:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    FOR WE ARE GLAD WHEN WE ARE WEAK AND YE ARE STRONG; AND THIS ALSO WE WISH, EVEN YOUR PERFECTION....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    It is essential that Paul should repeat that this was the third time he was coming to them. Such emphasis was needed to awaken proper exercise. For the second time he had not come, in order to spare t...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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 t...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    Some by WEAK here understand a moral impotency; as the apostle had said, he could not do any thing against the truth, that is, rightly and justly he could not: and by STRONG here, a spiritual strength...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting....

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    2 Corinthians 13:9 For G1063 we G2249 glad G5463 (G5719) when G3752 weak G770 (G5725) and G1161 you...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘For we rejoice, when we are weak, and you are strong. This we also pray for, even your perfecting.' For his rejoicing is not in what he is or in how he is seen, for if his weakness results in their s...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    2 Corinthians 13:9. FOR WE REJOICE WHEN WE ARE WEAK, AND YE ARE STRONG when-in consequence of your strength in grace and well-doing as a church we have no occasion to put forth our strength among you,...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    FOR WE REJOICE (χαιρομεν γαρ). Paul had far rather be weak in the sense of failing to exercise his apostolic power because they did the noble thing. He is no Jonah who lamented when Ninevah repente...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

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

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Closing exhortations of Paul to the Corinthians. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Paul. CONCLUSION: The great burden of God's faithful representatives is that the Gospel they preach m...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    2 Corinthians 13:1. _This is the third time I am coming to you._ Compare the following texts. Acts 18:1; Acts 20:2; Acts 21:13. The difficulty here is re

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    WE ARE GLAD. "Even though we will not need to demonstrate supernormal powers and show that we are strong, we will gladly appear weak to you. The important thing is that you be strong!!!" THAT YOU WILL...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 13:7 Paul desires the Corinthians’ RESTORATION even at this late hour. ⇐...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 13 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. There were some at Corinth who had abandoned themselves to impurity, others who were proud and contentious (xi. 20, 21), others given to other sins, and dispose...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ 2 Corinthians 13:1.—[Good paraphrase, exhibiting connection of thought, from Stanley: “Once, twice, thrice, as in the Mosaic Law of the three witnesses; by my first visit—by this Epis...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    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 ...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now he said, This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. [For] I told you before, and foretell you [I'm telling you again], as if...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Peter 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 11:30;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    We are weak. Practically the same as unapproved. When your good conduct deprives us of the power of administering discipline, we are weak. Perfection [κ α τ α ρ τ ι σ ι ν]. Only here in the New Testam...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    For we rejoice when we are weak — When we appear so, having no occasion to show our apostolic power. And this we wish, even your perfection — In the faith that worketh by love....

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Old Testament