Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. New Living Translation I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. English Standard Version And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, Berean Standard Bible I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. Berean Literal Bible And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. King James Bible And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. New King James Version I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. New American Standard Bible I also was with you in weakness and fear, and in great trembling, NASB 1995 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, NASB 1977 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. Legacy Standard Bible And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, Amplified Bible I came to you in [a state of] weakness and fear and great trembling. Christian Standard Bible I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. Holman Christian Standard Bible I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. American Standard Version And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. Contemporary English Version At first, I was weak and trembling with fear. English Revised Version And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. GOD'S WORD® Translation When I came to you, I was weak. I was afraid and very nervous. Good News Translation So when I came to you, I was weak and trembled all over with fear, International Standard Version It was in weakness, fear, and great trembling that I came to you. Majority Standard Bible I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. NET Bible And I was with you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling. New Heart English Bible When I was with you, I was weak and afraid and I shook. Webster's Bible Translation And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. Weymouth New Testament And so far as I myself was concerned, I came to you in conscious feebleness and in fear and in deep anxiety. World English Bible I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand I, in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling, was with you; Berean Literal Bible And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. Young's Literal Translation and I, in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling, was with you; Smith's Literal Translation And I, in weakness, and in fear, and in much tremor, was with you. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. Catholic Public Domain Version And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and with much trembling. New American Bible I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, New Revised Standard Version And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I was with you with much reverence for God and in trembling. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And I was with you in much fear and in trembling. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling: Godbey New Testament I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. Haweis New Testament And in weakness, and in fear, and in much timidity, was I among you. Mace New Testament I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in great agony: Weymouth New Testament And so far as I myself was concerned, I came to you in conscious feebleness and in fear and in deep anxiety. Worrell New Testament And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. Worsley New Testament And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul's Message by the Spirit's Power…2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,… Cross References Acts 18:9-10 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.” 2 Corinthians 10:10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.” 2 Corinthians 11:30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 13:4 For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. For we are also weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him concerning you. Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, / for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should. Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. / For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God. 1 Thessalonians 3:7 For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. / So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. Exodus 4:10-12 “Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.” / And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? / Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” Judges 6:15-16 “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” / “Surely I will be with you,” the LORD replied, “and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man.” 1 Kings 19:3-4 And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, / while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” Jeremiah 1:6-8 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” / But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. / Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 20:7-9 You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. / For whenever I speak, I cry out; I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long. / If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail. Treasury of Scripture And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 1 Corinthians 4:10-13 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised… Acts 17:1,6-12 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: … Acts 20:18,19 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, … Jump to Previous Anxiety Concerned Conscious Deep Doubt Far Fear Feebleness Strength Trembling WeaknessJump to Next Anxiety Concerned Conscious Deep Doubt Far Fear Feebleness Strength Trembling Weakness1 Corinthians 2 1. Paul declares that his preaching, 4. though it bring not excellence of speech, or of human wisdom, 5. yet consists in the power of God; 6. and so far excels the wisdom of this world, that the natural man cannot understand it. I came to you in weakness Paul's admission of weakness highlights his reliance on God's power rather than his own strength. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God's strength is made perfect in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). In the Greco-Roman world, orators were expected to display confidence and eloquence, yet Paul intentionally contrasts this cultural expectation by emphasizing his own frailty. This approach underscores the message that the gospel's power does not depend on human ability but on the Spirit's work. and fear and with much trembling Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Corinthians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings. 2. Corinth A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and immorality. The church in Corinth faced many challenges, including divisions and moral issues. 3. The Corinthian Church The recipients of Paul's letter, this early Christian community struggled with issues of unity, spiritual gifts, and moral conduct. Teaching Points Embracing WeaknessPaul’s admission of weakness serves as a reminder that God often works through our vulnerabilities. In a culture that values strength and self-sufficiency, Christians are called to rely on God’s power rather than their own. Fear and Trembling in Ministry Paul’s approach to ministry with fear and trembling highlights the seriousness and reverence with which we should approach our service to God. It is a call to humility and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Authenticity in Leadership Paul’s transparency about his own struggles encourages leaders to be authentic and honest about their limitations. This authenticity can foster deeper connections and trust within the Christian community. God’s Power in Human Frailty The acknowledgment of human frailty allows for the demonstration of God’s power. When we are weak, God’s strength is more evident, and His glory is magnified.(3) And I was with you.--To show that the real force of his teaching lay in its subject-matter, and not in any power with which he may have proclaimed the gospel, the Apostle now dwells upon his own physical weakness. The "weakness and fear and trembling" of which St. Paul speaks here had in it probably a large element of that self-distrust which so noble and sensitive a nature would feel in the fulfilment of such an exalted mission as the preaching of the Cross. I cannot think, however, the allusion is only to that. There is, I believe, a reference also to what we may call a physical apprehension of danger. The bravest are not those who do not experience any sensation of fear, but rather those who keenly appreciate danger, who have an instinctive shrinking from it, and yet eventually by their moral might conquer this dread. There are traces of this element in St. Paul's character to be found in several places, as, for example, in Acts 18:9, when the Lord encourages him when labouring at Corinth with the hopeful words, "Be not afraid;" again in Acts 23:11, when the terrible scene before Ananias had depressed him, the Lord is with him to strengthen him, "Be of good cheer, Paul;" and in Acts 27:24, when the angel of the Lord appears to him amid the storm and shipwreck, "Fear not, Paul."Verse 3. - I was with you; literally, I became or proved myself, towards you, as in 1 Corinthians 16:10. In weakness. St. Paul was physically weak and liable also to nervous weakness and depression (1 Corinthians 4:7-12; Galatians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 10:1, 10; 2 Corinthians 12:7, 10). He shows an occasional self distrust rising from the consciousness of personal infirmities. This enhances our sense of his heroic courage and endurance. Doubtless this physical weakness and nervous depression were connected with his "stake in the flesh," which seems to have been an acute and distressing form of ophthalmia, accompanied with cerebral disturbance (see my 'Life of St. Paul,' 1:215-221). In fear, and in much trembling. Probably the words are even literally true, though they are a common phrase (2 Corinthians 7:15; Philippians 2:12, 13; Ephesians 6:5). It must be remembered that in his first visit to Corinth St. Paul had gone through stormy and troubled days (Acts 18:1-12). Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Iκἀγὼ (kagō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular Strong's 2504: To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me. came ἐγενόμην (egenomēn) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. you ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. weakness ἀσθενείᾳ (astheneia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 769: From asthenes; feebleness; by implication, malady; morally, frailty. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. fear, φόβῳ (phobō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 5401: (a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. with ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. much πολλῷ (pollō) Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 4183: Much, many; often. trembling. τρόμῳ (tromō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 5156: A trembling, quaking, fear. From tremo; a 'trembling', i.e. Quaking with fear. Links 1 Corinthians 2:3 NIV1 Corinthians 2:3 NLT 1 Corinthians 2:3 ESV 1 Corinthians 2:3 NASB 1 Corinthians 2:3 KJV 1 Corinthians 2:3 BibleApps.com 1 Corinthians 2:3 Biblia Paralela 1 Corinthians 2:3 Chinese Bible 1 Corinthians 2:3 French Bible 1 Corinthians 2:3 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 2:3 I was with you in weakness (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) |
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