2 Corinthians 13:9

2 Corinthians 13:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
• New International Version (NIV)We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.

Context of 2 Corinthians 13:9

7Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. 8For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. 10For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. 11Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:9 word by word

χαίρομεν γὰρ ὅταν ἡμεῖς ἀσθενῶμεν, ὑμεῖς δὲ δυνατοὶ ἦτε· τοῦτο καὶ εὐχόμεθα, τὴν ὑμῶν κατάρτισιν.Read the interlinear

• For we rejoiceχαίρωchairō · to rejoiceG5463
• whenὅτανhotan · when(-ever)G3752
• we ourselvesἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• weakἀσθενέωastheneō · be weak: weakG770
• but you are strongδυνατόςdunatos · ableG1415
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• we alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• prayεὔχομαιeuchomai · to pray/wish forG2172
• madeκατάρτισιςkatartisis · perfectionG2676

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 13:9

• 2 Corinthians 13:8For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
• 2 Corinthians 11:30If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.
• 2 Corinthians 12:5On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.
• 1 Corinthians 4:10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.
• 2 Corinthians 13:7Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Ephesians 4:13until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
• Philippians 3:12Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
• Colossians 1:28We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.
• Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:10as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
• 2 Timothy 3:17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
• Hebrews 6:1Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
• Hebrews 12:23to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
• Hebrews 13:21equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
• 1 Peter 5:10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9For 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9For 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-10Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9for your perfection: This Greek word sometimes means repair or completion. It refers to restoring something to its proper condition, like returning to good health. A related word appears in 2 Corinthians 13:11 as "perfect harmony"; Mark 1:19 as "mending"; 1 Thessalonians 3:10 as "complete"; Hebrews 13:21 as "equip"; and 1 Peter 5:10 as "restore."Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. are glad--Greek, "rejoice." when we are weak--having no occasion for displaying our power; and so seeming "weak," as being compassed with "infirmities" (2Co 10:10; 11:29, 30). ye ... strong--"mighty" in faith and the fruits of the Spirit. and--not in the oldest manuscripts. we wish--Greek, "pray for." your perfection--literally, "perfect restoration"; literally, that of a dislocated limb. Compare 2Co 13:11, "Be perfect," the same Greek word; also in…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 13:9

• Love
• Perfection
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Examine
• Prove
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle
• Perfect; Perfection

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings