2 Corinthians 13:4

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 2 of 26
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
εἴ though G1487
εἴ though
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 3 of 26
if, whether, that, etc
ἐσταυρώθη he was crucified G4717
ἐσταυρώθη he was crucified
Strong's: G4717
Word #: 4 of 26
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
ἐκ by G1537
ἐκ by
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 5 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἀσθενείας weakness G769
ἀσθενείας weakness
Strong's: G769
Word #: 6 of 26
feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty
ἀλλὰ but G235
ἀλλὰ but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 7 of 26
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ζήσομεθα he liveth G2198
ζήσομεθα he liveth
Strong's: G2198
Word #: 8 of 26
to live (literally or figuratively)
ἐκ by G1537
ἐκ by
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 9 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
δυνάμεως the power G1411
δυνάμεως the power
Strong's: G1411
Word #: 10 of 26
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 11 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 12 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 13 of 26
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἡμεῖς we G2249
ἡμεῖς we
Strong's: G2249
Word #: 14 of 26
we (only used when emphatic)
ἀσθενοῦμεν are weak G770
ἀσθενοῦμεν are weak
Strong's: G770
Word #: 15 of 26
to be feeble (in any sense)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 16 of 26
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
αὐτῷ him G846
αὐτῷ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 17 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀλλὰ but G235
ἀλλὰ but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 18 of 26
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ζήσομεθα he liveth G2198
ζήσομεθα he liveth
Strong's: G2198
Word #: 19 of 26
to live (literally or figuratively)
σὺν with G4862
σὺν with
Strong's: G4862
Word #: 20 of 26
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
αὐτῷ him G846
αὐτῷ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 21 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ by G1537
ἐκ by
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 22 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
δυνάμεως the power G1411
δυνάμεως the power
Strong's: G1411
Word #: 23 of 26
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 24 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
εἰς toward G1519
εἰς toward
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 25 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὑμᾶς you G5209
ὑμᾶς you
Strong's: G5209
Word #: 26 of 26
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

Analysis & Commentary

For though he was crucified through weakness—Paul grounds his apostolic pattern in Christ's own paradox: apparent astheneia (ἀσθένεια, "weakness") at the cross concealed ultimate power. The phrase yet he liveth by the power of God (ek dynameōs theou, ἐκ δυνάμεως θεοῦ) reveals resurrection power emerging from cruciform weakness. This is the pattern of all Christian ministry.

For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him—Paul identifies with Christ's weakness, applying the crucifixion-resurrection pattern to apostolic ministry. The future tense we shall live (zēsomen, ζήσομεν) points both to coming resurrection and present manifestation of resurrection power toward you (eis hymas, εἰς ὑμᾶς)—when Paul arrives, they'll experience this power in discipline. The cross-resurrection dialectic defines all authentic ministry.

Historical Context

Roman culture glorified military might and rhetorical power. The cross was Rome's ultimate symbol of shame and weakness—reserved for slaves and insurrectionists. Paul's theology of the cross radically inverted these values, claiming God's power operates precisely through apparent weakness, scandalizing both Jews (demanding signs) and Greeks (seeking wisdom) (1 Cor 1:22-25).

Questions for Reflection

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