1 Corinthians 2:3

1 Corinthians 2:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,
• New King James Version (NKJV)I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
• New Living Translation (NLT)I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling.

Context of 1 Corinthians 2:3

1And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

1 Corinthians 2:3 word by word

κἀγὼ ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ καὶ ἐν φόβῳ καὶ ἐν τρόμῳ πολλῷ ἐγενόμην πρὸς ὑμᾶς·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• wasγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• withπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• youσύsu · youG4771
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• weaknessἀσθένειαastheneia · weakness: weakG769
• fearφόβοςphobos · fearG5401
• muchπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• tremblingτρόμοςtromos · tremblingG5156

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 2:3

• 1 Corinthians 4:10We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
• Acts 17:1When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
• Acts 20:18When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.
• 2 Corinthians 4:1Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;
• 2 Corinthians 7:5For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within.
• 2 Corinthians 10:1By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!
• 2 Corinthians 11:29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
• 2 Corinthians 12:5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
• 2 Corinthians 13:4For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
• Galatians 4:13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you,

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 2:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3I was with you in weakness - It is very likely that St. Paul had not only something in his speech very unfavourable to a ready and powerful elocution, but also some infirmity of body that was still more disadvantageous to him. A fine appearance and a fine voice cover many weaknesses and defects, and strongly and forcibly recommend what is spoken, though not remarkable for depth of thought or solidity of reasoning. Many popular orators have little besides…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3And I was with you - Paul continued there at least a year and six months. Acts 18:11. In weakness - In conscious feebleness; diffident of my own powers, and not trusting to my own strength. And in fear, and in much trembling - Paul was sensible that he had many enemies to encounter Acts 18:6.; and he was sensible of his own natural disadvantages as a public speaker, 2 Corinthians 10:10. He knew too, how much the Greeks valued a manly and elegant species…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4Human weakness does not stop God's work (2 Corinthians 12:7–10). The true power is not in charismatic preaching, presentation skills, or logical arguments (compare 2 Corinthians 10:10). It is in the message itself, focused on Christ and his death for our sins. It is also in the power of the Holy Spirit, who touches the human heart.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. I--the preacher: as 1Co 2:2 describes the subject, "Christ crucified," and 1Co 2:4 the mode of preaching: "my speech ... not with enticing words," "but in demonstration of the Spirit." weakness--personal and bodily (2Co 10:10; 12:7, 9; Ga 4:13). trembling--(compare Php 2:12). Not personal fear, but a trembling anxiety to perform a duty; anxious conscientiousness, as proved by the contrast to "eye service" (Ep 6:5) [Conybeare and Howson].Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 2:3

• Humility
• Minister, Christian
• Philosophy
• Preaching
• Reasoning
• Wisdom
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Judge
• Lord
• Mystery
• Spiritually
• Testimony
• Thorn in the flesh
• Wisdom
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 2

• 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