- Home
- Bible
- 2 Corinthians
- Chapter 13
- Verse 9
Verse
Context
Sermons
Zac PoonenZac Poonen
Charles S. Price
Daniel SteeleSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
For 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 in any of the graces that constitute the mind of Christ; such as brotherly love, charity, harmony, unity, and order. I have given the above paraphrase to this verse, because of the last term καταρτισιν, which we render perfection. Καταρτισις, from κατα, intensive, andαρτιζω, to fit or adapt, signifies the reducing of a dislocated limb to its proper place; and hence, as Beza says on this passage: "The apostle's meaning is, that whereas the members of the Church were all, as it were, dislocated and out of joint, they should be joined together in love; and they should endeavor to make perfect what was amiss among them, either in faith or morals." It is a metaphor, also, taken from a building; the several stones and timbers being all put in their proper places and situations, so that the whole building might be complete, and be a proper habitation for the owner. The same figure, though not in the same terms, the apostle uses, Eph 2:20-22. The perfection or rejointing which the apostle wishes is that which refers to the state of the Church in its fellowship, unity, order, etc. And perfection in the soul is the same, in reference to it, as perfection in the Church is to its order and unity. The perfection or rejointing of the soul implies its purification, and placing every faculty, passion, and appetite in its proper place; so that the original order, harmony, unity, and purity of the soul may be restored; and the whole builded up to be a habitation of God through the Spirit, Eph 2:22.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
are glad--Greek, "rejoice." when we are weak--having no occasion for displaying our power; and so seeming "weak," as being compassed with "infirmities" (Co2 10:10; Co2 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 Co2 13:11, "Be perfect," the same Greek word; also in Co1 1:10, "perfectly joined together"; Eph 4:12, "the perfecting of the saints."
John Gill Bible Commentary
For we are glad when we are weak,.... Appear to be so, look like persons disarmed of all power and authority; the apostles rejoiced when they had no occasion of exerting themselves, and of exercising that high office, and extraordinary commission they had received of Christ Jesus: and ye are strong; stand fast in the doctrine of faith, and are lively and active in the exercise of the grace of faith; are strong in Christ, and in his grace, and in the power of his might, to withstand every temptation of Satan, every corruption of their own hearts, and to perform every duty aright. And this also we wish, even your perfection; or restoration, or jointing in again; a metaphor taken from the setting of bones that are dislocated and out of joint; for the church at Corinth was like a disjointed body, and the apostle's wish was, that their animosities might cease, their divisions be healed, their disorders rectified, and each member be in its proper place, behaving as became the Gospel of Christ; see Co1 1:10.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:9 become mature: This Greek word sometimes carries the idea of repair or completion, of restoring something to its proper condition, as in a return to good health (a related word is used in 13:11, “grow to maturity”; Mark 1:19, “repairing”; 1 Thes 3:10, “fill”; Heb 13:21, “equip”; 1 Pet 5:10, “restore”).
Examine Yourselves
8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.9In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Ambassadors for Christ - Part 3
By Zac Poonen1.5K56:10EvangelismMAL 1:8MAT 28:192CO 12:142CO 12:182CO 13:9COL 1:28TIT 3:13In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of humbling ourselves and seeking God's face. He encourages the listeners to respond to the teachings they have heard and to ask God to reveal areas in their lives that need to be settled with Him. The speaker also highlights the need to trust God in difficult situations and to have faith that He can solve problems in supernatural ways. He references the verse in Matthew 13 where Jesus could not do many miracles because of the people's unbelief, prompting the listeners to examine their own faith. The speaker concludes by urging the audience to expect God to do miracles in their lives and to believe that He can confirm His word supernaturally in their homes and churches.
Be an Ambassador of Jesus Christ
By Zac Poonen1Christian CharacterAmbassadorship2CO 1:12CO 2:42CO 3:52CO 4:12CO 5:202CO 6:32CO 7:22CO 8:202CO 10:132CO 11:232CO 12:92CO 13:9Zac Poonen emphasizes that Paul exemplified the role of an Ambassador of Jesus Christ, highlighting twelve essential marks that should characterize every believer's life. These include being called by God, sincere, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and loving those served. Paul’s total dependence on God, perseverance in ministry, and wise handling of resources are also crucial traits. Furthermore, he served as a model for others, accepted suffering, and aimed for the spiritual maturity of believers. Poonen encourages the congregation to emulate Paul's example in their own lives.
Perfection in Christ
By Charles S. Price0MAT 5:482CO 13:9PHP 1:6PHP 3:12PHP 3:152TI 3:17HEB 6:1HEB 10:14JAS 1:41PE 5:10Charles S. Price preaches about the pursuit of Christian perfection, emphasizing that it is an achievable goal as outlined in the Bible. He challenges the congregation to seek a life so immersed in Christ that earthly concerns pale in comparison to eternal truths, urging them to press on towards the heights of perfection in Christ. Price highlights the importance of trusting in God's grace and power to attain Christian perfection, emphasizing that God never asks His children to strive for the impossible but provides the necessary grace to meet His commands.
St. Paul Magnifies the Meaning of Perfection
By Daniel Steele0ROM 8:172CO 13:9EPH 4:12COL 3:142TI 3:17Daniel Steele preaches about the pursuit of sanctified and perfected character as expressed in the New Testament, emphasizing the central role of love in achieving Christian perfection and the unity it brings to virtues. The ultimate goal is to glorify God through the transformation of human spirits back to the image of their Creator. The sermon delves into the rare Greek word 'teleiotaes' for perfectness, found in Colossians 3:14, and 'katartisis' for perfection in 2 Corinthians 13:9, highlighting the completeness and symmetry of Christian character. The message urges believers to press on towards perfection, not as an unattainable ideal but as a continuous journey of growth in holiness and spiritual knowledge.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
For 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 in any of the graces that constitute the mind of Christ; such as brotherly love, charity, harmony, unity, and order. I have given the above paraphrase to this verse, because of the last term καταρτισιν, which we render perfection. Καταρτισις, from κατα, intensive, andαρτιζω, to fit or adapt, signifies the reducing of a dislocated limb to its proper place; and hence, as Beza says on this passage: "The apostle's meaning is, that whereas the members of the Church were all, as it were, dislocated and out of joint, they should be joined together in love; and they should endeavor to make perfect what was amiss among them, either in faith or morals." It is a metaphor, also, taken from a building; the several stones and timbers being all put in their proper places and situations, so that the whole building might be complete, and be a proper habitation for the owner. The same figure, though not in the same terms, the apostle uses, Eph 2:20-22. The perfection or rejointing which the apostle wishes is that which refers to the state of the Church in its fellowship, unity, order, etc. And perfection in the soul is the same, in reference to it, as perfection in the Church is to its order and unity. The perfection or rejointing of the soul implies its purification, and placing every faculty, passion, and appetite in its proper place; so that the original order, harmony, unity, and purity of the soul may be restored; and the whole builded up to be a habitation of God through the Spirit, Eph 2:22.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
are glad--Greek, "rejoice." when we are weak--having no occasion for displaying our power; and so seeming "weak," as being compassed with "infirmities" (Co2 10:10; Co2 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 Co2 13:11, "Be perfect," the same Greek word; also in Co1 1:10, "perfectly joined together"; Eph 4:12, "the perfecting of the saints."
John Gill Bible Commentary
For we are glad when we are weak,.... Appear to be so, look like persons disarmed of all power and authority; the apostles rejoiced when they had no occasion of exerting themselves, and of exercising that high office, and extraordinary commission they had received of Christ Jesus: and ye are strong; stand fast in the doctrine of faith, and are lively and active in the exercise of the grace of faith; are strong in Christ, and in his grace, and in the power of his might, to withstand every temptation of Satan, every corruption of their own hearts, and to perform every duty aright. And this also we wish, even your perfection; or restoration, or jointing in again; a metaphor taken from the setting of bones that are dislocated and out of joint; for the church at Corinth was like a disjointed body, and the apostle's wish was, that their animosities might cease, their divisions be healed, their disorders rectified, and each member be in its proper place, behaving as became the Gospel of Christ; see Co1 1:10.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:9 become mature: This Greek word sometimes carries the idea of repair or completion, of restoring something to its proper condition, as in a return to good health (a related word is used in 13:11, “grow to maturity”; Mark 1:19, “repairing”; 1 Thes 3:10, “fill”; Heb 13:21, “equip”; 1 Pet 5:10, “restore”).