2 Corinthians 13:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.

NIV: We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.

NASB: For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak, but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you become mature.

CSB: We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature.

NLT: We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

KJV: For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

NKJV: For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.

False teachers in Corinth have attacked Paul's character and authority as an apostle of Jesus. He has been maligned by false teachers who are leading the Corinthians away from their devotion to Christ. Paul has also been derided for what these deceptive ones consider weaknesses. Among their sniping is the charge that Paul does not speak impressively or command respect with his personal appearance (2 Corinthians 10:10).

Paul has corrected facts about his character, but he has not defended himself against accusations of physical or verbal weakness. In fact, he has embraced the description; he has sarcastically bragged about his weakness and his suffering for Christ and his losses. He has been clear that Christ is strongest in him in the areas where he is weakest (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). So, Paul is glad to be weak, in this sense, as the apostle serving the Corinthians.

Paul and his associates would be glad to be perceived as weak while the Corinthians are considered strong. Earlier in this letter, he sarcastically described the believers in Corinth as wise and honorable compared to him and other ministers for Christ (2 Corinthians 11:19). In this use, however, Paul means something very different by the word "strong." He is glad for these fellow believers to become strong in the sense that Paul himself is strong. Specifically, that means by repenting of sin and trusting more deeply in Christ to be the real source of power in their lives.

That's why Paul and his friends are praying for the Corinthians' restoration. Some translations use the word "perfection," but many commentators say "restoration" is the better choice here. The Greek term is katartisin, which in that form implies adequacy or improvement. By that, Paul means they are praying the Corinthians will all repent of ongoing sin, turning back to full devotion to Christ and His will for them.

Second Corinthians 13:1–10 contains Paul's final warning to the Corinthians: repent from sin before he arrives to visit them. None will be spared from Christ's discipline if they remain unrepentant. They will see that Christ speaks through Paul when he executes Christ's powerful discipline among them. He urges them to examine themselves to see if Christ is in them and he prays for their restoration. Paul knows he has God-given authority to represent Christ among them, but he hopes he will not have to do so in a severe way when he arrives.

The final chapter of Paul's letter begins with a harsh warning. Nobody living in unrepentant sin when Paul arrives will be spared Paul's discipline. All will learn that Christ speaks through Paul—because Christ will deal powerfully with their sinfulness despite Paul's own weakness. Paul urges them to examine themselves and verify that Christ is in them and, by extension, that he is a true apostle. He prays for their restoration and hopes they will repent of all sin before he arrives so that he will not have to be severe in the use of his authority.

Second Corinthians 13 follows Paul's listing of two sets of sins he is concerned he will find among the Corinthians when he arrives. These are personal divisions and sexual immorality. He warns them once more that nobody will be spared from Christ's discipline if they remain in sin. Paul urges them to examine and test themselves to see if Christ is in them. He prays for their restoration and hopes they will repent of sin so that he does not have to be severe with them in his authority as Christ's representative when he arrives.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.