Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
Who {G5101} is weak {G770}, and {G2532} I am {G770} not {G3756} weak {G770}? who {G5101} is offended {G4624}, and {G2532} I {G1473} burn {G4448} not {G3756}?
Who is weak without my sharing his weakness? Who falls into sin without my burning inside?
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not?
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1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some. -
1 Corinthians 8:13
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. -
Galatians 4:8
¶ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. -
Galatians 4:20
I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. -
1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. -
1 Thessalonians 3:8
For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. -
2 Corinthians 2:4
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
In 2 Corinthians 11:29, the Apostle Paul continues his reluctant "fool's speech," a section where he defends his apostolic authority and genuine ministry against the accusations and boasts of false apostles in Corinth. Having just detailed his extensive list of sufferings and trials for the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-28), he now reveals an even deeper dimension of his pastoral heart: his profound empathy and burden for the spiritual well-being of the believers.
Context of 2 Corinthians 11:29
This verse concludes Paul's catalog of hardships and sacrifices endured for Christ, contrasting his authentic, suffering-laden ministry with the self-serving, worldly boasting of those who challenged his authority in the Corinthian church. While the false apostles boasted of their eloquence, status, or material gains, Paul boasted in his weaknesses and the persecutions he faced. Here, he pivots from external afflictions to internal, emotional burdens, demonstrating that his commitment wasn't just physical endurance but also a deep spiritual and emotional identification with the flock.
Meaning of 2 Corinthians 11:29
Paul's rhetorical questions reveal his immense pastoral burden and sensitivity:
This statement reflects Paul's profound empathy with believers who were struggling. "Weak" here can refer to various forms of vulnerability: those weak in faith, those facing persecution or temptation, or those who felt spiritually inadequate. Paul didn't stand aloof; he genuinely shared in their struggles, feeling their burdens as his own. This aligns with his broader teaching that God's strength is made perfect in weakness, and he understood true pastoral leadership meant identifying with the fragile members of the community.
The term "offended" (from the Greek skandalizetai) means to stumble, to be led into sin, or to be caused to fall from faith. Paul is expressing his intense anguish and indignation ("burn not" from the Greek pyroumai, meaning to be inflamed or on fire) when any believer is tripped up, led astray, or has their faith compromised. This isn't mere sympathy but a fervent, righteous anger or deep grief over spiritual harm. It underscores his zeal for the purity of the Gospel and the spiritual integrity of the church, highlighting the importance of avoiding being a stumbling block to others.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
Paul's example in 2 Corinthians 11:29 challenges believers and leaders alike to cultivate a similar spirit: