John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 2:3

"And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." — 1 Corinthians 2:3 (ASV)

And I was with you in weakness. He explains at greater length what he had previously touched upon—that he had nothing shining or excellent about him in the eyes of men to raise him to distinction. He concedes, however, to his adversaries what they desired, in such a way as to make those very things which, in their opinion, tended to detract from the credibility of his ministry, result in its highest praise.

If he appeared less worthy of esteem from his being so lowly and wretched from a worldly perspective, he shows that the power of God shone out all the more conspicuously in this: that he could accomplish so much while supported by no human aid. He has in mind not merely those foolish boasters who aimed at mere show in order to gain a reputation for themselves, but also the Corinthians, who gazed with astonishment at their empty displays.

Accordingly, an account of this kind was suited to have great influence with them. They were aware that Paul had brought nothing with him from a human perspective that was suited to advance him, or that might enable him to ingratiate himself with people; and yet they had seen the amazing success which the Lord had granted to his preaching. Furthermore, they had, as it were, witnessed with their own eyes the Spirit of God present in his doctrine.

When, therefore, despising his simplicity, they were enticed by a desire for a kind of wisdom—of some unknown kind—more arrogant and more polished, and were captivated by outward appearance, indeed, even by external adornment, rather than by the living efficacy of the Spirit, did they not clearly reveal their ambitious spirit? It is with good reason, therefore, that Paul reminds them of his first entering in among them (1 Thessalonians 2:1), so that they may not draw back from that divine efficacy, which they once knew by experience.

The term weakness he employs here, and in several instances afterwards (2 Corinthians 11:30; 2 Corinthians 12:5, 9, 10), as including everything that can detract from a person’s favor and dignity in the opinion of others. Fear and trembling are the effects of that weakness. There are, however, two ways in which these two terms may be explained by us.

We may understand him to mean either that when he considered the magnitude of the office he held, he engaged in it tremblingly and not without great anxiety; or that, being surrounded by many dangers, he was in constant alarm and incessant anxiety. Either meaning suits the context sufficiently well. The second, however, is, in my opinion, the simpler one.

Such a spirit of modesty indeed befits the servants of the Lord, so that, conscious of their own weakness, and considering, on the other hand, both the difficulty and the excellence of so arduous an office, they should enter upon carrying it out with reverence and fear. For those who impose themselves confidently, and in a very prideful spirit, or who discharge the ministry of the word with an easy mind, as if they were fully equal to the task, are ignorant both of themselves and of the task.

As, however, Paul here connects fear with weakness, and as the term weakness denotes everything that could make him seem contemptible, it necessarily follows that this fear must relate to dangers and difficulties. It is certain, however, that this fear was of such a nature that it did not prevent Paul from engaging in the Lord’s work, as the facts show.

The Lord’s servants are neither so senseless as not to perceive impending dangers, nor so lacking in feeling as not to be moved by them. Furthermore, it is necessary for them to be seriously afraid mainly for two reasons:

1. First, that, humbled in their own sight, they may learn to lean and rest completely upon God alone; and
2. Secondly, that they may be trained to a complete renunciation of self.

Paul, therefore, was not without the influence of fear, but he controlled that fear in such a manner as to go forward, nevertheless, with intrepidity through the midst of dangers, so as to encounter with undaunted firmness and fortitude all the assaults of Satan and of the world; and, finally, so as to struggle through every obstacle.