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 so that we may appear to have passed the test, but in order that you may do what is right even if we may seem to have failed. 8For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this—your perfecting. 10For this reason I write these things while I am absent, so that when I am present I need not proceed harshly, according to the authority which the Lord gave me—for building up and not for tearing down. 11Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Aim for restoration, encourage one another, be of the same mind, live in shalom—and the God of love and shalom 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 can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
• 2 Corinthians 11:30If I must boast, I will boast of my weakness.
• 2 Corinthians 12:5On behalf of such a man I will boast—but about myself I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.
• 1 Corinthians 4:10We are fools for Messiah’s sake, but you are wise in Messiah! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are dishonored!
• 2 Corinthians 13:7Now we pray to God that you do no wrong—not so that we may appear to have passed the test, but in order that you may do what is right even if we may seem to have failed.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, since we have these promises, loved ones, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Ephesians 4:13This will continue until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of Ben-Elohim—to mature adulthood, to the measure of the stature of Messiah’s fullness.
• Philippians 3:12Not that I have already obtained this or been perfected, but I press on if only I might take hold of that for which Messiah Yeshua took hold of me.
• Colossians 1:28We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Messiah.
• Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of your own, a slave of Messiah Yeshua, greets you. He is always laboring in prayer on your behalf, so you may stand complete and fully assured about everything that is God’s will.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:10Night time and day time we keep praying more than ever to see you face to face, and mend any shortcomings in your faith.
• 2 Timothy 3:17so that the person belonging to God may be capable, fully equipped for every good deed.
• Hebrews 6:1Therefore leaving the basic teaching of the Messiah, let us move on toward maturity—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of trust in God,
• Hebrews 12:23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are written in a scroll in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous ones made perfect,
• Hebrews 13:21make you complete in every good thing to do His will, accomplishing in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Messiah Yeshua. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
• 1 Peter 5:10After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace—who has called you into His eternal glory in Messiah—will Himself restore, support, 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