Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 2:3

What does 1 Corinthians 2:3 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 2:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 2:3 means

Paul admits he was among them “in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.” This is not theatrical humility but an honest account of human limitation under pressure. His frailty highlighted that conversions and growth in Corinth could not be credited to his charisma. Rather than undermining his ministry, his trembling became the backdrop against which God’s strength could be seen. Gospel work often advances through jars of clay; God uses ordinary, needy servants so the outcome is clearly His. Paul’s posture kept him dependent, prayerful, and guarded against self-reliance, matching the message of a crucified Savior whose power is perfected in weakness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I was with you without strength, in fear and in doubt.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I, in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling, was with you;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling;

Context

After stating the content of his preaching (v.2), Paul describes his personal condition while serving in Corinth. This prepares for verse 4’s contrast: not persuasive words, but the Spirit’s power. The sequence emphasizes that both the messenger’s weakness and the message of the cross fit God’s design. Verse 5 will then state the aim—faith resting on God’s power. The following section (vv.6–16) will show that this approach is not anti-wisdom; it is aligned with a different, Spirit-revealed wisdom.

v.2For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

v.3This passage

v.4And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 17:1

    Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

  • 2 Corinthians 7:5

    For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, butwe wereafflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:1

    Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:

  • 2 Corinthians 11:29

    Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not?

  • 2 Corinthians 13:4

    for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:16

    Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.

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