Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf in B-flat major

For Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf , the autograph score survives. Bach himself noted on its title: "J. J. Motetta doi Cori bey Beerdigung des seel. Hrn. Prof. und Rectoris Ernesti di J. S. Bach." (Jesu Juva – Motet for two choirs for the funeral for the blessed Rector, Professor Ernesti, by J. S. Bach). Ernesti was professor of poetry at Leipzig University and director of the Thomasschule. Scholars debate if the date of the first performance (which took place in the Paulinerkirche, the university church), was 24 October, or rather 21 October, as indicated by the title page of the sermon.