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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

Context of 2 Corinthians 13:9

7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. 11Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• are gladχαίρωchairō · to rejoiceG5463
• whenὅτανhotan · when(-ever)G3752
• we are weakἀσθενέωastheneō · be weak: weakG770
• andδέde · thenG1161
• yeσύsu · youG4771
• areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• strongδυνατόςdunatos · ableG1415
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• we wishεὔχομαιeuchomai · to pray/wish forG2172
• perfectionκατάρτισιςkatartisis · perfectionG2676

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 13:9

• 2 Corinthians 13:8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
• 2 Corinthians 11:30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
• 2 Corinthians 12:5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
• 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!
• 2 Corinthians 13:7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
• Ephesians 4:13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
• Philippians 3:12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
• Colossians 1:28He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
• Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
• 2 Timothy 3:17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
• Hebrews 6:1Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
• Hebrews 12:23to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
• Hebrews 13:21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
• 1 Peter 5:10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

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