2 Corinthians 13:9
French Bible (BBB) Bible Bovet Bonnet (1900)
en effet, nous avons de la joie, lorsque nous sommes dans la faiblesse, pourvu que vous soyez forts; et ce que nous demandons, c'est votre perfectionnement.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse from the Bible, Paul expresses joy when he and his companions are weak but the Corinthian believers are strong. He desires their spiritual growth and maturity.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a friend who is learning to ride a bike. You feel happy when your friend can ride without training wheels even if it means you get tired from running behind them. That's like Paul feeling glad that the Corinthians are growing stronger in faith, even if he has to work harder.
Historical Background
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter around AD 56 to the Christians in Corinth. He was addressing issues of division and immaturity within their community, aiming to encourage them towards spiritual maturity.
Living It Out Today
In a modern scenario, imagine a manager who feels joy seeing her team members grow more competent at their jobs, even if it means she has less control or workload pressure. This reflects Paul’s sentiment of rejoicing in others’ growth despite personal challenges.
Topics
spiritual growthstrength and weaknessencouragementjoy in others' successmaturity in faithcommunity support
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Paul mean by 'perfection' in this verse?
Paul is referring to spiritual maturity and completeness in faith, not perfection in a moral or behavioral sense. He desires the Corinthian believers to fully develop their Christian character.
How can understanding weakness and strength help us in our faith journey?
Recognizing our own weaknesses can foster humility and reliance on God’s grace. Seeing others' strengths, especially those we mentor or lead, allows for celebrating and encouraging their growth in faith.
Is Paul suggesting he wants to be weak often?
Paul isn't promoting weakness but highlighting that his contentment comes from the strength of the believers. His focus is on the Corinthians' spiritual progress rather than his own comfort or ease.
How does this verse relate to community building in churches today?
This verse emphasizes the importance of mutual support and encouragement within a church community, where leaders are glad for the growth of their members and work towards fostering spiritual maturity among them.