Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
2 Corinthians 13:9 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 9. 9For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse rejoices in Paul's weakness if Corinth is strong and names their restoration as his prayer.
Read It With
- 2 Corinthians 13:5–10
Read 2 Corinthians 13:9 with 13:5–10. This verse rejoices in Paul's weakness if Corinth is strong and names their restoration as his prayer. The complete unit establishes this movement: Paul tells the Corinthians to test themselves for Christ's presence, but his prayer is not to look approved; he wants them to do good, rejoices to be weak if they are strong, seeks their restoration, and writes sharply so authority can build rather than destroy.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The unit states the desired result of all warning: truthful action and restoration without a display of Paul's severity. Within that movement, this verse rejoices in Paul's weakness if Corinth is strong and names their restoration as his prayer.
Follow the Context
- The Corinthians must examine and test themselves.
- Christ's presence is the issue unless they fail the test.
- Paul expects his team will not fail but prays that Corinth does right regardless of appearances.
- Nothing can be done against truth but only for truth.
- Paul rejoices in his weakness if they are strong.
- Their restoration is his prayer.
- He writes from absence so presence need not be severe; authority builds rather than destroys.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong”
In plain language: The desired result is repaired community, not a display of apostolic force.
rejoices in Paul's weakness if Corinth is strong and names their restoration as his prayer. The desired result is repaired community, not a display of apostolic force.
Why it matters: The wording carries interpretive or ethical risk that requires the full unit and its stated limits.
How certain? strongWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
The verse does not equate restoration with forced reunion or reinstatement.
What Remains True
The desired result is repaired community, not a display of apostolic force.
How It Can Shape Life
- Measure correction by restored truth, safety, and capacity.
Teach It Back
Explain how 2 Corinthians 13:9 contributes to 2 Corinthians 13:5–10. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read 2 Corinthians 13:5–10 — Self-Examination Serves Truth, Restoration, and Non-Destructive AuthoritySources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Corinthians 13:5–10, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 2Co.txt, 13:5–10
Open the 2 Corinthians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - 2 Corinthians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 2 Corinthians chapter print views, 13:5–10, including attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open NET 2 Corinthians 13 notesmodern open commentary
2 Corinthians
Peter Balla
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: Whole-letter setting, literary movement, Greek observations, and passage-level evangelical interpretation.
Exact location: Balla, TGC Bible Commentary, 2 Corinthians, introduction and section on 13:5–10
Open source ↗modern annotated new testament
2 Corinthians introduction and annotations in The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Alan J. Avery-Peck; edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler
Oxford University Press, 2011
Supports: Jewish and Greco-Roman context, scriptural echoes, composition questions, and concise verse-level alternatives.
Exact location: Avery-Peck, Jewish Annotated New Testament, print pp. 315–331, introduction and annotations on 13:5–10
Open source ↗peer reviewed open access social scientific study
The Social Construction of Paul's Apostolic Leadership in Corinth
Jack Barentsen
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 74.4, 2018
Supports: Social-scientific analysis of negotiated authority, community response, suffering, patronage, collection, and unity claims.
Exact location: Barentsen, 'The Social Construction of Paul's Apostolic Leadership in Corinth,' HTS 74.4 (2018), article a5191, pp. 1–13
Open source ↗Lexical and grammatical evidence
STEP Bible Data
Tyndale House Cambridge
Tyndale House Cambridge, repository snapshot verified 2026
Supports: Independent morphology, form, and lexical-range cross-check for material Greek claims.
Exact location: STEP Bible Data repository, Greek morphology and lexical records for 2 Corinthians 13:5–10
Open source ↗