2 Corinthians 13:9
 2 Corinthians 13:9 
New International Version (©2011)
We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.

New Living Translation (©2007)
We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

English Standard Version (©2001)
For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature.

International Standard Version (©2012)
We are glad when we are weak and you are strong. That is what we are praying for—your maturity.

NET Bible (©2006)
For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
But we rejoice whenever we are weak and you are strong; for we pray for this also, that you may be perfected.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
We're glad when we are weak and you are strong. We are also praying for your improvement.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

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

American Standard Version
For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For we rejoice that we are weak, and you are strong. This also we pray for, your perfection.

Darby Bible Translation
For we rejoice when we may be weak and ye may be powerful. But this also we pray for, your perfecting.

English Revised Version
For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.

Webster's Bible Translation
For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

Weymouth New Testament
and it is a joy to us when we are powerless, but you are strong. This we also pray for--the perfecting of your characters.

World English Bible
For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting.

Young's Literal Translation
for we rejoice when we may be infirm, and ye may be powerful; and this also we pray for -- your perfection!

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

13:7-10 The most desirable thing we can ask of God, for ourselves and our friends, is to be kept from sin, that we and they may not do evil. We have far more need to pray that we may not do evil, than that we may not suffer evil. The apostle not only desired that they might be kept from sin, but also that they might grow in grace, and increase in holiness. We are earnestly to pray to God for those we caution, that they may cease to do evil, and learn to do well; and we should be glad for others to be strong in the grace of Christ, though it may be the means of showing our own weakness. let us also pray that we may be enabled to make a proper use of all our talents.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - When we are weak, and ye are strong (comp. 1 Corinthians 4:8-10). Strong; "powerful (2 Corinthians 10:4). We wish; rather, we pray. Your perfection; rather, your perfect union; "the readjustment of your disordered elements." A similar word occurs in Ephesians 4:10, and the verb in ver. 11; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:10, etc. It is also used in the Gospels for "mending nets" (Mark 1:19, etc.).


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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 1 Corinthians 1:10.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9. are glad—Greek, "rejoice."

when we are weak—having no occasion for displaying our power; and so seeming "weak," as being compassed with "infirmities" (2Co 10:10; 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 2Co 13:11, "Be perfect," the same Greek word; also in 1Co 1:10, "perfectly joined together"; Eph 4:12, "the perfecting of the saints."


2 Corinthians 13:9 Parallel Commentaries

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Examine Yourselves
8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. 10Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord has given me to edification, and not to destruction.

Romans 15:2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
1 Corinthians 2:3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.
1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, 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 to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
2 Corinthians 13:8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Ephesians 4:12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
1 Thessalonians 3:10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.