1 Corinthians 2:3

And. was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

'I was with you' -Acts Chapter 18.

'in weakness' -'even as Paul's manner of preaching did not present the gospel as. new philosophy, neither did his bodily appearance. Whereas the Grecian philosophers manifested haughtiness and self-confidence to the point of arrogance..' (Willis p. 61) 'Now we learn that even beyond that (his manner of preaching) there was no personal impressiveness about Paul when he began his work in Corinth.' (Lenski p. 90) 2 Corinthians 10:10. but his personal presence is unimpressive.' (Galatians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 10:1; 2 Corinthians 12:7)

'in fear, and in much trembling' -'full of fears, and in great anxiety.' (TCNT)

Points to Note:

1. 'Paul had been in prison in Philippi, driven out of Thessalonica and Beroea, politely bowed out of Athens. It is. human touch to see this shrinking as he faced the hard conditions in Corinth.' (Robertson p. 83)

2. He was initially all alone. (Acts 18:1)

3. He had to make some tents, indicating that he might have been out of money. (Acts 18:3) Apparently tent-making in the eyes of some could have been considered "weakness".

4. God gave Paul encouragement in Corinth. (Acts 18:9 'Do not be afraid any longer..')

5. Considering the state and condition of the city of Corinth..'a sense of complete personal inadequacy in view of the task of evangelizing such. city as Corinth.' (F.F. Bruce p. 37)

'He was depressed by the surrounding mass of dense heathenism, discouraged by the pride and self-sufficiency of the Corinthians, repelled by their impurities and moral corruption, and saddened by the bitter and blasphemous opposition of his own Jewish fellow countrymen.' [Note:. Erdman p. 37]

6. 'Run down as he was, he was. poor figure to come..face to face with people who admired oratory and philosophic presentation. Paul feared and trembled that his condition might work. prejudice against the blessed message he had to bring.' (Lenski p. 91)

Paul is again reminding them, 'Why are you so enthralled with the wisdom of this world? Don't you remember how. first came to Corinth? Did. look anything like. philosopher? Did. sound like one? And yet, you embraced the message. preached! You embraced it because it was the truth! My style of preaching wasn't special, neither was my personal appearance. The only thing you could of been impressed with, WAS THE GOSPEL MESSAGE! '