1 Corinthians 2:3 kjv
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1 Corinthians 2:3 nkjv
I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
1 Corinthians 2:3 niv
I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.
1 Corinthians 2:3 esv
And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,
1 Corinthians 2:3 nlt
I came to you in weakness ? timid and trembling.
1 Corinthians 2 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 1:17 | Christ sent me...to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom... | Gospel's power not in human eloquence |
| 1 Cor 2:1 | ...I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. | Paul rejected worldly rhetorical methods |
| 1 Cor 2:4-5 | My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest on the wisdom of men but on the power of God. | Faith grounded in God's power, not human wisdom |
| 2 Cor 4:7 | But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. | Ministers are frail vessels, God's power displayed |
| 2 Cor 10:10 | "His bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." | Critics perceived Paul as physically unimpressive |
| 2 Cor 11:30 | If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. | Paul embraced and boasted in his human limitations |
| 2 Cor 12:5 | Of this man I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. | Focus on Christ and limitations, not self-exaltation |
| 2 Cor 12:9 | My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. | God's strength is revealed through human frailty |
| 2 Cor 12:10 | For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults... | Contentment in suffering and weakness for Christ |
| Gal 4:13 | You know that it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at the first. | Possible physical illness during his visit |
| Judg 7:2 | The Lord said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for Me..." | God works powerfully through limited means |
| Psa 8:2 | Out of the mouth of babies and infants, You have established strength... | God's strength demonstrated by the most unlikely |
| John 15:5 | Apart from me you can do nothing. | Human inability apart from Christ's enabling |
| 2 Cor 3:5-6 | Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant. | Competence for ministry comes from God alone |
| Zech 4:6 | Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. | God's work is accomplished by His Spirit, not human force |
| Psa 2:11 | Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. | Proper attitude towards God combines reverence and awe |
| Psa 119:120 | My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments. | Deep respect and holy fear of God's presence and judgment |
| Heb 12:28 | Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and godly fear. | Worship and service marked by solemn reverence |
| Acts 16:29 | And the jailer...fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. | Manifestation of fear and spiritual conviction |
| Rom 11:20 | They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. | Warning against pride, encouraging a reverent fear |
| Phil 2:12 | Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. | Believers' humble and earnest pursuit of obedience |
| Eph 6:5 | Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as to Christ. | Reverent respect in daily submission |
| 1 Pet 3:15 | ...always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. | Presenting truth with humble reverence |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. | The Gospel itself carries divine power |
| 1 Thes 1:5 | For our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. | Gospel presented with Spirit's demonstration |
1 Corinthians 2 verses
1 Corinthians 2 3 Meaning
This verse reveals the Apostle Paul's personal disposition and manner during his initial proclamation of the Gospel in Corinth. He describes his presence among the Corinthians as being marked by deep personal inadequacy, profound apprehension, and a great inner agitation or reverence. This contrasts sharply with the eloquent or philosophically impressive rhetoric that Corinthians typically valued, highlighting that the power of his message did not rely on human strength or persuasive ability but solely on God's divine power and the demonstration of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2 3 Context
First Corinthians 2:3 follows directly from Paul's assertion in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 that he did not come to them with eloquent or sophisticated words but was determined to preach Christ, and Him crucified. The Corinthian society was characterized by its love for wisdom, rhetoric, and human prowess. This bustling city valued oratorical skill and intellectual display, often associating such abilities with truth and authority. Paul's conscious choice to avoid these admired humanistic methods—and his description of himself as being "in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling"—directly challenges the Corinthian cultural paradigm. He intentionally adopted a posture of humility and dependence on God, rather than relying on impressive speech or intellectual arguments. His self-portrayal here is not about a lack of faith or courage but rather a deep spiritual awareness of his human inadequacy and a profound reverence for the divine work he was entrusted with, ensuring that the transformative power seen in their lives would be attributed solely to God and the Holy Spirit, not to Paul's own capabilities or charismatic delivery. This setup highlights the central theme of the chapter: God's wisdom, manifested in the seemingly foolish message of the cross, utterly transcends and exposes the futility of human wisdom.
1 Corinthians 2 3 Word analysis
- And I was (καὶ ἐγὼ ἐγενόμην - kai egō egenomen): The Greek "egō" is emphatic, highlighting Paul's personal experience and state. "Egenomen" (from ginomai) denotes "I became" or "I was in that state," implying a deliberate and conscious condition he adopted for the sake of the Gospel. It’s a dynamic "being" or "coming to be" in this state, not a static personal trait.
- with you (πρὸς ὑμᾶς - pros hymas): Specifies the relational context; Paul’s internal state was present and evident during his time ministering directly to them.
- in weakness (ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ - en astheneia): "Astheneia" means feebleness, infirmity, or lack of strength. It is not necessarily physical sickness (though it might include it, as in Gal 4:13) but broadly encompasses human frailty, inadequacy, and dependence. Paul here points to his human inability to perform the divine task effectively on his own strength, highlighting the need for divine enablement.
- and in fear (καὶ ἐν φόβῳ - kai en phobō): "Phobos" here indicates profound apprehension, perhaps for his own life given the dangers of missionary work, but more significantly, a reverential awe and concern for faithfully presenting God's truth, fearing any deviation or reliance on his own methods that would obscure Christ's glory. It is a fear of failing God or jeopardizing the reception of the Gospel.
- and in much trembling (καὶ ἐν τρόμῳ πολλῷ - kai en tromō pollō): "Tromos" refers to trembling, quaking, a physical manifestation of intense emotion. Coupled with "pollō" (much/great), it signifies a profound internal shaking. This denotes a deep humility, an overwhelming sense of the seriousness of his mission, and a profound awe before the divine majesty and power with which he was associated, fearing not meeting the demands of so weighty a calling. It suggests a vulnerability that permitted the demonstration of God's power.
- words-group: "in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling": This triad describes Paul's posture not as a weakness of faith or character, but as a deliberate ministerial strategy. It stands in stark contrast to the human pride, self-assurance, and eloquence prized by Corinthian culture. It illustrates dependence on God's power rather than human abilities, ensuring that the focus remains on the divine message and its origin rather than the messenger. This profound humility and sense of divine burden became the very conduit through which God's power was demonstrated.
1 Corinthians 2 3 Bonus section
Paul’s posture described in this verse served as a living illustration of the very message he preached: the Cross of Christ, which was considered "weakness" and "foolishness" by the world. By embracing weakness rather than human strength, fear rather than worldly confidence, and trembling rather than rhetorical flourish, Paul preempted any human pride in the Corinthian church. His ministry model, therefore, was a theological statement in itself, showing that salvation comes not from human persuasion or philosophical brilliance but from God's Spirit alone. This divine humility continues to serve as a crucial principle for all who proclaim the Gospel, reminding us that effectiveness in ministry flows from dependence on God, not personal strength or talent.
1 Corinthians 2 3 Commentary
Paul's confession in 1 Corinthians 2:3 reveals a profound theological truth about the nature of God's kingdom and the method of its advancement. Far from presenting himself as a self-assured orator or a persuasive philosopher, Paul intentionally foregrounds his human limitations. This was not a pretense of humility but a genuine acknowledgment of the immense task before him and a reverential dependence on God. His "weakness" demonstrated that the Gospel's power resided not in eloquent speech or human intellect but in the Spirit's enabling. His "fear" was not timidity but a holy dread of misrepresenting God and an anxiety over the profound responsibility of stewardship for the truth of the cross. His "trembling" was a spiritual awe, a profound seriousness regarding his calling, reflecting the infinite magnitude of God's glory and the life-altering impact of the Gospel message. Through such a fragile and unassuming vessel, God purposed to demonstrate His unadulterated power, ensuring that faith would rest solely on Him and not on human wisdom or achievement. This verse powerfully undercuts any reliance on human abilities for spiritual outcomes, shifting all glory to God and His miraculous working through even the humblest of instruments.