2 Corinthians 11:29
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
Original Language Analysis
τίς
Who
G5101
τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
1 of 11
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τίς
Who
G5101
τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
6 of 11
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
σκανδαλίζεται
is offended
G4624
σκανδαλίζεται
is offended
Strong's:
G4624
Word #:
7 of 11
to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Historical Context
The Corinthian church's weaknesses and stumbling—tolerating immorality (1 Cor 5), lawsuits (1 Cor 6), division (1 Cor 1-4), doctrinal confusion (1 Cor 15), vulnerability to false teachers (2 Cor 11)—all caused Paul profound grief. His letters reveal emotional investment bordering on parental anguish (cf. Gal 4:19). Ancient patronage relationships created bonds; Paul's are deeper.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's empathetic identification with his spiritual children's weaknesses and stumbling challenge professionalized, emotionally distant ministry?
- In what ways might we need to 'burn' with indignation at offenses that cause God's people to stumble rather than tolerate them?
- What would it look like to feel others' spiritual struggles as your own rather than maintaining self-protective emotional distance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? The rhetorical questions reveal Paul's empathetic identification with the churches' struggles. Tis asthenei, kai ouk asthenō (τίς ἀσθενεῖ, καὶ οὐκ ἀσθενῶ, 'who is weak, and I am not weak?')—he feels others' weakness as his own. Tis skandalizetai, kai ouk egō pyromai (τίς σκανδαλίζεται, καὶ οὐκ ἐγὼ πυροῦμαι, 'who is caused to stumble, and I do not burn?').
Weak (asthenei, ἀσθενεῖ) refers to spiritual weakness, struggling faith, vulnerability to temptation. Paul doesn't respond with superiority but solidarity—their weakness is his. Offended (skandalizetai, σκανδαλίζεται, 'caused to stumble') describes spiritual damage from false teaching or bad example. I burn (pyromai, πυροῦμαι, 'I am set on fire')—either burning with indignation at the offender or burning with shame-share at the offense.
This is radical pastoral empathy: Paul's identity is bound to his churches so completely that their sufferings are his, their failures his shame. This follows Christ who took our weaknesses and bore our infirmities (Isa 53:4; Matt 8:17). True shepherds don't observe the flock's struggles from safe distance but enter into them, suffering with and for those they serve.