Glad When We are Weak and You are Strong 2 Corinthians 13:9

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth”, and in chapter thirteen and verse nine of Second Corinthians, Paul told the church members how he was “glad”, “when we are weak, and you are strong” where we read:

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

The verse begins, “For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong:” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “we are glad” which means “Paul and his companions rejoiced exceedingly”, “when” or “at what time” “we are weak” which refers to “Paul and his companions were feeble, powerless and without strength” “and you” which means “the church members” “are strong” or “able, powerful and mighty in wealth and influence”. Paul and his companions “rejoiced” whenever the church members in Corinth were found “strong” and not “feeble and powerless”.

The verse continues, “and this also we wish, even your perfection.” Paul added the words, “and this also” which means “that which Paul is about to declare even and indeed” “we wish” which means “Paul and his companions prayed to God for and willed”, “even your perfection” or “the church members' strengthening, perfecting of the soul, training and discipline”. Paul and his companions not only “rejoiced” in the “strength” of the church members, but also “prayed to God and desired” that they would be “disciplined and perfected” in the faith.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he had the best interest of the church members in mind as he wrote to them. He desired their “strength”, and not his own. He wanted them to “go on to perfection” and even “prayed” they would do so. This is the type of leader Jesus Christ desires to be within His church - leaders who care more for those to whom they minister than themselves. The promotion and advance of their people should emulate the care exhibited by the Lord Jesus. Perhaps as we consider these things written by Paul, we should examine our own lives and be certain we are the leaders who care more for those over whom we have authority than we do ourselves, and let our lives reflect the care that Jesus gives to all who believe and trust in Him.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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