· Translation: KJV

2 Corinthians 11:29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don't burn with indignation?

The setting

Corinth, Greece, ~56 AD. Paul continues his passionate defense, his heart racing as he thinks of weak believers being led astray by false teachers. His face flushes with righteous anger.

The emotion here: burning with protective rage

The original word

pyroō (πυρόω) — to be set on fire, burn with fever; intense inflammatory anger at injustice

Why it matters

Paul used medical terminology here—doctors described inflammation as 'burning'

Read with care

What most readers miss in 2 Corinthians 11:29

Paul isn't just sympathetic—when someone hurts those under his care, he literally burns with protective fury

Common misconceptionPeople think this is about personal empathy. Paul isn't just feeling sorry for weak people—he's furious at those who exploit them. This is righteous anger, not mere sympathy.

Bible Genome reading

2 Corinthians 11:29 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerPaul
Eraearly_church
Primary emotionanxious
Literary typenarrative

Emotional genome

Comfort power40%
Quotability80%
Memorability80%
Crisis relevance80%
Standalone70%
Themes:empathyindignation

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open 2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:29 comes from the book of 2 Corinthians, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Paul. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include empathy, indignation. Notable phrases: Who is weak, and I am not weak.

Your reflection

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