2 Corinthians 13:9

Paul rejoices to be weak if it means the Corinthians are strong, and he prays for their restoration to maturity. It matters because the goal of his ministry is their spiritual completeness, even at his own expense.

Cross-references · 16

• 2 Cor 13:11Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
• 1 Cor 4:10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.
• 1 Th 3:10night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
• 1 Pet 5:10But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
• 2 Cor 12:5–10On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
• 2 Cor 11:30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.
• Col 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
• 2 Cor 7:1Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Heb 6:1Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection — not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,
• Heb 12:23to the festal gathering and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
• Phil 3:12–15Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
• 2 Cor 13:7–8Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate.
• Heb 13:21make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
• 2 Tim 3:17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
• Col 1:28whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;
• Eph 4:12–13for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;

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