“In weakness”: cf. 1 Corinthians 1:25; 1 Corinthians 1:27; also 2 Corinthians 10:10; 2 Corinthians 13:3 f. This condition was bodily the Cor [304] had received an impression of Paul's physical feebleness; but the phrase expresses, more broadly, his conscious want of resources for the task before him (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 3:5). Hence he continues, “and in fear and in much trembling” the inward emotion and its visible expression (see parls.). P. stood before the Cor [305] at first a timid, shaken man: on the causes see Introd., ch. 1

[304] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[305] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

For γίνομαι ἐν (versari in), to be in a state of, cf. parls. πρὸς ὑμᾶς qualifies the whole foregoing sentence: “I was weak, timid, trembling before you (when I addressed you)”: ἐγενόμην … πρὸς ὑμᾶς might be construed together, ἐγενόμην becoming a vb [306] of motion “I came to (and was amongst) you in weakness,” etc. (Ed [307], as in 1 Corinthians 16:10); this would, however, needlessly repeat 1 Corinthians 2:1.

[306] verb

[307] T. C. Edwards' Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians.

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Old Testament