1 Corinthians 2:3

I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers, recounting his initial visit and ministry posture among them. He describes his personal demeanor while establishing his focus on Christ crucified.

The words — The Greek terms ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ (en astheneia) and ἐν φόβῳ (en phobō) translate literally as "in weakness" and "in fear." These phrases directly describe the physical and emotional condition of the speaker during his preaching.

The thread — The motif of apostolic vulnerability appears in 2 Corinthians 13:4, which contrasts crucifixion in weakness with living by God’s power. Paul also employs the weakness versus strength contrast in 1 Corinthians 4:10 and references boasting in weaknesses in 2 Corinthians 12:5.

Why it lands — The text explicitly states that preaching occurred amid human frailty rather than rhetorical confidence. Readers must therefore assess ministry by its reliance on the Spirit’s power instead of human capability or persuasive technique.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

κἀγὼkagōAnd I myself ἐνenin ἀσθενείᾳastheneiaweakness καὶkaiand ἐνenin φόβῳphobōfear καὶkaiand ἐνenin τρόμῳtromōtrembling πολλῷpollōmuch ἐγενόμηνegenomēnwas πρὸςproswith ὑμᾶς·humasyou;

King James Version

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

Cross-references

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.
1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
2 Corinthians 12:5 I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
2 Corinthians 13:9 In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.
2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 4:7 Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 6:4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
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.”
Galatians 4:13 You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.